The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-03-14
"Give Him . Cheer. -

"Give him Il cheer The hearty
words mefrom the lips of some
one in the crowd gathered round
a building enveloped in flames,
and were prompted by the mo-
mentary faltering of a brave fire
man at the final effort that was
needed to save a human life. In.
stant1y hats were waving in the
air, and above the cracking and
roaring of the fire the cheering of
the multitude below fell upon the
ears of the wavering fireman.
Electrified by the applause, he re-
newed his efforts, beat back the
flames that scorched his face,
burst in the window that would
not yield to the young girls
strength, and through a cloud of
smoke and fire bore his uncon-
ciOus burden to her weeping
friends below.
"Give him a cheer" said q
voice in the audience, as the
young aspirant for academical
honors began to hesitate in the
midst of his well-prepared ora
ton. "Give him a cheer" and
as the appreciative huzza was
raised the heart of the youth
gathered new courage, SO that he
succeeded in winning the scholar
ship, which to him meant much
more than empty honors. In
this very way the applause of a
sympathetic and responsive au-
dience bears up the speakers,
who otherwire would fail. Mr..
Gladstone once said. "a speaker
gets from his heaaes in vapor
that which he gives back to them
in food,' and when they have
got it they return it to him with
interest.
Give him cheer" Who?
Why, that young Christian who
has come out from the world,
and in the midst of temptation
is trying to live a consecrated
life. He needs more than an in
terest in your prayers. Give him
warm hand-shake, a word OF
praise, or a smile of recognition
when he begins to faint or falter
by the way. Let him know that
you appreciate his efforts, and
will be disappointed if he fails.
II he does noble thing give him
a cheer by telling he has done
well. 1t will give him strength
to meet new trials and tempta-
tons.
"Give him a cheer stran-
ger within your gates. No mat
ter how brief a tarrying he may
make, bid him welcome. Do not
let him go away feeling that no
one feels an interest in his welfare.
| have i'll mind a young girl who
went through life III Ter a cloud.
She had many things to discour-
age her. She was misrepresented
and misunderstood. No one
spoke a cheering word to her, or
offered to lend a hand when
troubles thickened about her.
People did not understand her
shrinking nature. They mistook
her seclusiveness for pride, until
in a fit of desperation she took
away the life God had given her.
A little note among her effects
explained the seemingly rashact.
1t ran thus: 81 can endure this
strain no longer. If / only had
help to carry my burner l would
try to be brrve and and stand
up under it's weight, but in all
this wide word | have not a
friend. No one has ever given
me cheering word, or dropped
n tear ofpity over my hard fate"
Then over her icy form the neigh
bors lamented their lack of SYM
patty, and tears of regret in plenty
fell about the still white face now
mute in death. Enough appre-
ciative, tender words to have
gladdened her whole life were
wasted around her coffin and
over her open grave. But what
good did they do when they fell
upon ears hushed i'm death?
"Give them a cheer" A host
OF weary, toiling men and wo-
men are to-day calling loudly for
cheering words and helpful min
istries. Do not keep the cheer
that would bless them lying idly
in your hearts or tremblinglv
unsaid upon your lips to scatter
around their tombs when they
are dead. Bring the flowers that
you are keeping for their collins
and strew along their paths to-
day while they are alive to inhale
their sweet fragrance.
"Give them a cheer" Words