The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-14
GOOD RESOLVES.
BY ETNA.


BY lETNA.
Were but one-half of the good resolves
that are formed carried out, what a
happy place this world of ours would be.
The hungry would be fed, the naked
clothed, and the sorrowing comforted.
But, alas it is so easy to make good
resolutions, and ofttimes so hard to
carry them into effect.
We are seated by our cozy fire, while
the rain gently patters against the win
dow panes, and we read, or a friend
tells us of case of destitution near at
hand. Our compassion is aroused, and
we resolve that on the morrow we will
give of our store to the relief of the
needy one. But the morrow comes,
with its work and cares; we neglect to
follow out our intentions, and so time
passes by, and our resolutions come to
naught. Again, we are angry with a
neighbor or friend; we speak hastily,
and part with him with bitter thoughts
in our hearts. But sober reflection
shows us our error, and we resolve to
ask pardon for our offense, and to be
more careful in the future. But wait
ing for an opportunity to make our ac-
acknowledgements causes our remOrse to
abate, and again our resolves fall to the
ground.
A wife and mother is sitting in soli-
tude by the smouldering fire. Night
has covered everything with her sable
mantle, and all is strangely quiet. Her
noisy, romping brood of little ones are
quietly sleeping, and the husband and
father is absent. Naturally her thoughts
are of the day that is past. She wonders
with her children's boisterous ways,
how she could have spoken so harshly
to her husband in the morning. And
she firmly resolves that she will be
more patient with her little ones, and
will guard every word spoken to her
husband; for God knows that husband
and children are dearer to her than all
else. But the morning finds the chill
dren rested and refreshed for renewed
onslaughts on the mothers patience.
! Her good resolutions are forgotten, and
that day is the same as those gone be-
fore. Some thoughtless act or word Of
her husbands causes the angry word tc
spring to her lips, and he knows moi
that she meant to be any kinder anG
better than she had been.
The husband and father, in the quiet
of his Office; or about his work, thinks
of his sad-eyed wife, and of the many
trials she has to undergo, aud resolve:
to be less exacting and more tender
with her in the future. But when he
goes home and finds the house in disor,
der, the baby crying, while his wife il
lifting a meal poorly prepared, because
of the demands made upon her time anC
strength by the fretful child, frown'
contract his brows, hasty words spring
to his lips, and she whose cares shoulC
have been lightened by his coming, il
wounded in spirit, wounded deepel
than he knows by his seeming disregard
of her trials.
So it is in every relation of life. Con
scious of shortcomings, we resolve anC
re-resolve to change our plans, to curl
our tempers, control our speech, b.
thoughtful and tender to loved ones
kind and charitable to strangers, anC
time passes on to bid each succeeding
day the good resolutions of the forme
mock.
" God help us all, and lead us day by day.
God help us all.
! We cannot walk alone the perfect way;
Evil allures us, tempts us, and we fall.
! We are but human, and our power is small
! Not one of us may boast, and not day
! Rolls DER our heads but each hath need to sa,
| God help us ALL"