Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1886-07-02
Friendship.
AN ESSAY BY t. j. S.

AN ESSAY BY T. j. S.
We, as intelligent creatures, us,
words to convey our ideas, thoughts
feelings and purposes to each other
and sometimes perhaps, we are no
careful enough to stimulate our ex
pressions with that kindness OF
speech that will cause the words
spoken to find lodgmentin in the inner
most affections of the heart.
1t is said by one of our poets that
'sKind words can never die But
how often is this infallibIe truth ig-
nored in general conversation. Yes,
kind words have, in nanny instances
caused the oppressed spirit to be
plunged momentarily into far bright
er climes, where it can sip the gen.
tie dews of sympathetic fragrances.
Around this word are clustered
many of the noble attributes that
God has, in his rich gifts TO man,
designed to distinguish him from all
other creatures of His creation. The
superiority of man is recognized
distinctly by virtue of his having the
gift of speech, and, yet, how many
there are that abuse this wonderful
and precious bestowment, as given
by their creator.
Language is the outer body of
thought, and when that is used with
the proper impressive tone, season
ed with degree of kindness, 1t new
er fails to move the tender and san
guine emotions of the heart.
Kind words have always been
known tc subdue the most stubborn
will. They are said to be the most
intensifying and effectual means en-
ployed with which to subdue our en-
emies. They have united kingdoms
and empires and reconclled the saw
ages to the progressive ways and
customs of the civilized nations.
Yes, kind words have, indeed, un-
locked the door of ihe prisoners cell,
when reduced to action, they have
burst assunder the bars that shut
him from the outer world, and de-
prived him of the sweetest boon en-
joyed by man. For out of kind |
words trickles gentle stream of af-
fection which will inevitably result |
in kind deeds, and to deprive us of |
these diamond hues, that adorn our
very being, and unite us in one hap !
py throng, would be like troubling
the waters of the placid ocean that |
knew no ruffles before. For an un-
kind word, Will, like the smallest |
pebble, dropped in the quiet bosom
of the resting waters, cause the little |
waves to spread their flowing wrin-
kles over an incalculable space.
Kind words and deeds to those |
with whom we associate, will reflect |
in their very natures tranquil ex-
perience which will, like glIttering |
stars in the ornaments of the heav-
ems, sparkle In all of their brilliant |
splendor.
Who can begin to fathom the |
depths of dependency of those who |
are frequently made the recipients
of unkind treatment, in word or
deed. Yes, deep down in the inner
most recesses of the heart, do these
chilly expressions and unfavored
acts lie concealed How soon could
we dIspel those dark clouds of de-
lection. Let our words be chosen
with care, suffering ourselves to in
dulge only IN those expressions
which are designed to illuminate each
others pathway. We can even rep
rimand our aggressors with a mild
reproach, and pleasantly chide them
for their faults. We arc too prone
to measure other people by our pc
culiar ideas of self, and thus openly
rebuke our friends for something
which, perhaps, was just and right.
A little effort to conform to the
wishes of others may prove, in many
instances, to be very commendable.