The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-11-15
Friction.

That machine will run the smoothest,
the fastest and the longest which has
the least friction. The farmer realizes
that his horses are wearied out and die
young, often, because of this extra
strain upon them which comes from
without. But this is not the only kind
Of friction with which they are familiar.
There is friction which is due to the
makeup OF the animal. Some horses
are constantly fretting and tuning
and wearing themselves out, while
others go steadily along with their load
and never turn aside TO fret themselves.
These last possess the staying qualities
which are valuable in horses or in men.
Now it is possible to decrease the
amount OF friction, both external and
internal. 1t is, and ever should be, the
aim of the good farmer to buy machines
which have least friction. And the in
ycntor who does most in this line will
win both fortune and rcnown. Com
pairing the tools and machines now in
use with those used fifty years ago it
will be seen at once that great advance
has been made in this particular
But men are much like horses. They
are very largely in the harness and pull
ing heavy loads. And many Of them
are breaking down in health. or COM
planning bitterly Of their lot, when there
really is no need Of it. Friction is kill
ing them or sourng their natures. And
thiSfrictOn comes oiten-times from with
| out, and Oit-times from within. One
man is being crushed between mill
stones which he cannot lift of or PIT
far down beneath his feet But this is
not often the case, and when ii is the
best thing that man can do is TO leave
that position ut once at any sacrifice
But much OF the friction OF life which
comes from without may, or might by
forcthought and good judgment, be
avoided. Many cruel words are re.
ccived BY, and unkiad deeds done TO,
those who have not tact sufficient 10 leave
certain words unsad or questions ul-
asked. Some persons never know when
not To put question, Some ether per-
sons never fail to put it exactly ut
the right time. One gets curt,
cold or insulting reply. The 9th.
err receives u courteous and full
answer. One wins respect, the othe,
contempt. Now this gals and irets tn,
tactless one, but if he only knew human
nature better, he perhaps more Otter
she--mght have avoided it, You may
be constantly in company with another
of greater slowncSS or quickncsS. |
| the latter, one moments haste on yOul
part may make him pleasant all day. L
he is slower than you and You keel
steady step with him for brief time, il
may smooth your path, In other words
tact to see and know the fitness OF
things and willingness on your part &c
make concessions to meet their de-
mauds, will generally win the day. Il
makes no difference who the other par
ty is; whether between parents anC
children, husband and wife, teacher
and scholars, business partners, minis
tiers and people, whoever the other par
" may be, tact. kindness and n willing
ness TO bend will save n great deal Of
the wear and tear Of life. We do not
! say all, but it is worth trying to see how
much.
But the fact remains that more friction
comes from within ourselves than from
without. Ambition, envy, and the legion
of foul spirits which attend these, unite to
wear away the heart. How often do
/ they succeed in squeezing out the juices
of life, and leaving it but u dry, bitter
rind. And then the man looks out upon
the world and thinks it all as dry and
bitter as his own heart What is THU
bcaulcous world and the great loving
hearts in it 10 such u soul? No wondc
he cannot comprehend them. Wha
we need, each one, is TO cultivate fruit
and by so doing kill out the weeds. Re
joicc in others prosperity, and then W
shall not envy their good forum,
Think Of our blessings. and then W
shall not rcyile our hard lot. Look TO
flowers, and rainbows, and gorgcou
sunsets, not for clouds, and fog, and rain
We need to think more of our fellow
men and forget self. We need to liv
in the sunlight of the presence of God
and our hearts shall sing new song G
gladncss, peace and love. Then sha
we have conquered the frictions OF life
and in this light and this spirit, we sha
ever do our best work-workcrS &c
God, workers for man, and ,hereh
workers for our best selves. -G0idC
Rule.