The National tribune., 1883-11-08
LOYAL WOMbN'SWORK
One Thing at Time---Eyperienee
Meeting---Relief Corps Work.
toonduoted By Kate B. sl.e,rpood.I

how he HCFDTnNlEHeQ 50 nLfn. Ills Itii4N WIS
'0ne thing at a time" Now, it is not 10 be
supposed that his duties always came singly
and IN sHch regular order that he could entirely
accomplish some one task before taking up
another Not SO, since, as they say, he had
many irons ia the fire, each requiring daily, il
not hourly, attention. II was simply this: that
upon whatever he was engaged he coneen-
trated his entire thought and attention for the
time being. aad could thus work with single
ness of purpose and p rapidity which accom-
plished speedy and great results
So whether il was toll or pleasure, applica-
fion or recreation, delivering an address or
entertaining iew1riends at dinner, writing
book perlccting some vast educational pro-
ject, his mind WAS given solely TO the subject IN
hand and while others were wasting their
energies IN maze of helpless confusion, he
went joyfnliy forward 10 the goal OF a brilliant
success. The result Of ii was that he was not
only busy bat a most happy and companion
able man.
1t was not always a cheerful duty he was
called uP0n 10 perform, but he borrowed no
trouble because of it. dc was wise enough TO
know that 10 grieve over what is TO come is 10
weaken yoar powers for the time when they
sre needed TO bear some real trial. And so he
made the best of it by dong what was imme
diatelv before him. loardiDg up as much
strength and courage as would form q reserve
force against the time when his supplies would
be cut Off George Macdonald understood this
when he said: " You have a disagreeable duty
TO do Al twelve o'clock: do not blacken nine
and ten ana eleven and al between with the
color OF twelve. DO the work Of each, and reap
your reward in peace"
He v no learns 70 do one thing at time very
soon learns to know that there Is a time for all
things. that there Is q time for rest as well as
q time for work. 4 time fer recreation as well
as a time for application a time, in truth, - to
Il aTrvT.4f
this, our friend did not dig tAe earth with his
eyes o. TIE heavens or scar 70 the heavens
with his eyes On the clock. de did rot throw
aside bis task and suik at the window because
he was not among the number upon the gay
excursion steamer, whose flags were flying as
IL skimmod the bay. And If sene day he
found himself among the glad throAgs aboard
he did rot keep his mind prisoner at home,
while the body lisslessly went through the
form Of oEoyihg day abroad. 1t was always
enc thing al q time. and those who saw and
conEcrsed with the light-hearted man on
sumner Vac=l1i0D had small conception Of the
patient tsiier whose cares were SO happily left
behind. Here alone is the perfect man. who
realizes that the mind, like the body, must
have lis ciiange of air, its seasons OF repose,
its measure Of fooa. and its exemption from
SUSTAINED and undue burdens
TDLEsEss NOT Az AMERICAN CHARACTERISTIC.
IdIes5ess. pure and simple, cannot be cIasscd
ameng ille prevailing faults OF Americans.
Theirs is the feyerish unrest which wants 10
be doing something, but hardly knows how TO
set ab. Ht il. The mental forces are independ-
ent rangers, each gong out 10 battle for him
self Unity Is wanting, and that training
which leads 10 combined and sustained action
in the RaI lareOf lie. Those who have acquired
the necessary knowledge keep themselves too
steadily on The battle line. They are always
on the march or sterning the enemv's bull
~arks, or forcing skiTmish line right up 10
the mgFderens guns. They never stop TO take
IN more ammunition, or a new supply Of hard
tack and bacon. and al Of q s3dden they find
themselves with empty eariridge-boxes and
empty bells besides, and can make no terms
with the enemy short Of unconditional surren-
der. What We all need TO learn is the import
ance Of Stopping 10 take breath until the sup
ply trains come up; that every sustained effort
must have is corresponding season OF inactivity
and TecuPeTation.
The Increasing frequency Of nervous troubles
in this country. terminating in paralysis and
other alarming diseases is attributed to the
intense aad overtaxing lives we are living. It
is net 50 snaeh that the toii IS hard and absorb
ing, bat that both mind and body are kept on
q constant strain. We have fewer national
holidays than any other nation under the sun !;
fewer domestic aBauseuaents and fete days We
are overly seriOas and begracge ourselves what
little sc might have iE the way Of change
We positively have lost the secret Of enjoying
OErselF Fes. asi6 when given a play day do not
know what to do with IT,
There being no provision in our social fabric
for needed rest u IS the more imperative
that the individual regulate his own life
and pursuits according 10 the dictates Of CON-
mon sense a1d the kBoEn laws Of his being.
We need ol-y turn 70 the hundreds who while
scarce In teeiT prime, nave fallen IN their course
-. -4a-. r- - a
OF ftaG. HeWiil learn 10 work fewer hours ard
spend more nationally these that remain and
that, rriFesl he locks The door OF bis oa5ce or
counting room. he mast dismiss Is mHch as
possible fiIas pertains 10 them, II be would re-
fresh lis CHlrgies Or foTlifv his strength In
this way only can be preserve his faith and
courage, AID return each morning a new man
70 his sOil.
WHAT w0MES ARR PRONE TO FORGET
Ia fleir m0n0tonous rounds Of domestic
duties, women are TOO prone to forget that their
mental natures require nourishnent and sup
port as wei a. their physical They y7oald not
think of working their bodies without food /;
Of sweeping aaa sewing aad cleaning and all
with hands and feet impoverished from lack of
daily food. And yet from their poor hunger
zng, thlrsi5ng, EaHlisiing minds they expect
swift ard pr0npt o5eG5enee 10 meet every trial
and provide for every duty. The result is that
formed iisto the querulOus, pslli3, fretful wife
ana mother = is not work that does t. hut work
fOr N4sse e1h&usting strain 10 adequate pro-
vision has been Haie. A woman can eDdure the
hardest tpil and thrive under It, provided she
carries - arheerfui heart and q merry counten-
anee- But woman whose life Is ali work can ID,
this. She, TOO. must bolt the door now and
then np9n her cares and take ID new supplies
for heart and hope ia some diversion that both
Tesfs and encourages. The entertaining book.
c0ngenisl cognqany, music, pleasant drive
anything that takes the mind eBtireiv from its
absorbing cares,-bhesc should be IS much the
thought of every wOInan who would make
home bright ard happy and keep herself light
hearted and c0lteIlftd as some grager duty
that goUst and cannot be neglected. She who
gives her whole tame 70 work performs as a
task WHIST, under proper regulations would
become 2 rest pleasure. No one ever loses any
thing by Stopping to take breath now and then
Waen asceuglng mountain. Tired fingers
Will hneeT hours over a piece Of work that
fresh hanes wiz turn OF swiftly with song.
II = Ge3i lot q woman 70 remember that she
Who ie'4s AID clothes the bodies Of her children
and sets comfortable meal before her hus-
band does sTeil; but she VINO refYeshes and
enllches hcr nsInd Ia order that she may min
lister TO tle craViRg7 81 the mental and spir-
1tu2t natures - those whose happiness is de-
pendent upon her, has performed tie Dinislra-
tons u angels
Mss Ialeels advice TO wives enioins a cor
responding Gaty from husbands. which. ii
rcneanben5d on both sides, would illustrate tic
beauty OF ore Haing at a time, and add very
~ ..ft. =