Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
The Gospel Travellers.

1t cannot be too often remarked that kind
ness is one of the virtues which hardly ever
fails to produce an etfect kindness I" in sea
son and out of season !" kindness which is
in every ones power. How very much the
wheels of life would be smoothed, how very
much every one would add to the sum total
of human happiness, if every one were to
take hold of any of the many opportunities
which every situation offers to be kind,
courteous, easy and agreeable toward the
chance traveller that he meets in his journeys
toward the chance sufferers that he comes
across. 1t is never forgotten. The boy at
school never forgets the kindness of an elder
schoo-fellow. The poor, solitary and way
worn man or woman never forgets the pres
sure of kind, feeling hand, the glance of
loving, sympathetic eyes. ga cup of cold
water" given unexpectedly at the right mo-
ment, will, indeed, not "lose its reward"
Think of all this, all those who are con-
cerned in the movements backward and for
ward which make our land, and, we may
almost say, the whole civilized world, at this
season of the year, a world of travellers, a
descent and ascent from Jerusalem 20 Jericho,
from Jericho to Jerusalem. Railroad of
ficials, how very much you can ease the bur-
den and soften the difficulties of some help
less, solitary creature by speaking kind
word to him, by showing him the way, by
telling him what he ought to do in the hurry
and confusion of our multitudinous railway
stations Policemen in our great cities, how
very much you can do to ennoble your ex-
cellent vocation by readiness to guide, by
willingness to give information, by the
friendly hand or encouraging word in the
crossing of the streets, by the unceasing
vigilance to avert every kind of roughness
or disorder in the vast area of your multi
piled calling Cabmen, in taking upor set
ting down some suffering woman or child,
how much in the course of the day you may
add to their comfort and your own happiness
by gentleness instead of rudeness. by court
esy instead of harshness Servants, officials,
passers-by in our great public buildings,
what pleasure you can give to all who
come through this or any like resort by
making them feel that they are welcome and
at home; what a delight you can impart by
word of instruction., or warning, or advice
Travellers, whoever you may be, how far and
wide you may make your own good influence
aud the good fame of your country extend
by an agreeable turn given to some travelling
disaster, by not pressing hard on your neigh.
bors in crowded vehicle, by giving place
to those who are weaker or less befriended
than yourselves,by extending to those around
you, or who come within the reach of youl
notice, that protection which your superior
wealth or strength of health may have put
in your possession The "presence OF
mind " to catch these opportunities of diff
fusing Christian kindness is one of the
graces which we should value as among the
most valuable of Gods gifts, which We
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habit, by remembering that God, in whost
presence we are, is ever requiring of us tn,
special frame of mind which makes us eve
'present with him, and ever "present
to the call of our fellow-creatures.-
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