The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-29

Philadelphia CALI
While self-help is in every sense i'm
portant, nothing is more pleasant than
to witness a kindly feeling Of helpful
ness i'm a family circle The children
have their studies and are gathered
around the table, coming them. One
has a problem he can not work out.
Another, better versed, suggests and
aids and so lightens the work. So each
brings the resources he or she may pos
sess TO the aid of those not so well fur
nished The same is seen in work. A
family with nothing to do, argues badly
for the leadership of the parents Chill
dren should be trained to habits of cheer
full industry at home, and where this Is
done, there will be occasions when one
will need the help of others. It is the
cAeerfulness with which the aid IS rem
dered that constitutes its value. And
when thus given it becomes a bond of
fellowship between the members of j
family.
lii not that such things are the ex
preston of good feeling they promote
! IL. The small occurrences of life exert
a most potential influence on character
and happiness. Petty selishuess in s
single person may poison the entire at
mosphere of home. This quality, ob
truding itself everywhere, becomes {
source OF annoyance, irritation, anc
| finally Of open rupture. so small acts
/ of kindness inspire the sentiment o.
gratitude quite as readily as the largel
! deeds of favor And it is the constan
stirring up Ct kindly qualities in thos'
A - 4 y lNssA ,,azv "a
! agreeable side. To get good out O
Others il is usually necessary to do gooC
4 to them. And thus a mutually helpful
! family shows attachment and love tc
each other. 1t produces the very quail
ties and results it seems toreiect. Ihosf
who help get help; and the kindness Of
it produces generality, which Is hk'
sunshine in the family circle.
1t also lightens burthens. While th'
use of our powers is good, and we ar
strengthened and toughened by this use
there are times when a little help is ben
eiicial. In work there is a way of doin:
which saves strength. We call
''knack" One does a piece of work b.
sheer force, and another by skill ant
manipulation does the same with hal
the physical effort To teach The othe
the sleight-of hand by which strength j
spared is wise. There is no wrong il
doing 1.-THE easy way if we are thorough
And to teach this is a kindness. Som
have it naturally. Some learn it easily
+ Others are awkward, and all they get
by the hardest There is no wrong i
helping such to the way.
| To help others is self-education OF tn
most valuable sort. We do not mean ,
this the pouring out of means on thos
around US, thus causing idleness an
vice; but the help of kindly sugge:
ton that shows better way of dOin
/ things. This cheers and inspires and
of more value than gifts of money
The help that just lifts one out OF
troublesome place, or that supplement
the weakness of another, or that throw
a ray of light on his pathway, IS th
| best that can be given. And there Is
form of help that inspires such. res
gratitude. Larger forms of aid al
often met by ingratitude; but tn,
which makes the recipient consciousl
stronger and better is apt to be appr
ciated. Such are tendencies of life, an
the place 10 begin this form OF educ
ton and experience is the family clrel
We can, if we will, exercise all our be
ter qualities in that field. 1t is IL
place of our great opportunity. An
, rightly exercised, il will do rs and tho
around us good.