The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1889-02-26
THE HABIT OF DELAY.
Why It Is Fatal to All Social Well Being
and Happiness.

Why IL Is Fatal to All Social WeIl-Being
and Happiness.
Some one has given the wise counsel
that. in times OF pressing emergency,
when there is but minute in which
devoted to thought Certainly harm
is frequently done by rushing into ac-
ton without reflection; AT the same
time, an opposite evil of equal If not
greater magnitude results from delay
ing the action which has already COM
mended itself TO the Judgment. A
large majority Of the Unfultilled du-
ties of the world is caused by the prac-
tice OF delay. Good intentions are
abundant; the ability and the will 10
carry them oct are not wanting; but the
habit of prompt action has never been
acquired. Persons with this deficiency
are wrecked in an emergency. Let
the house be on fire or any sudden
danger threaten them. and, instead OF
concentrating their mind upon the re-
Quired decision for a portion of the
time afforded, they spend the whole
time in wavering considerations until
the opportunity for action is gone. and
the threatened evil that might have
been ayerted overwhelms them.
In all business, this lack is most dis
sstrous. Each day brings new prob
lens tn solve. new decisions to make.
new duties to perform. Each one Of
these demands certain amount Of
careful thought, but it also demands o
final conclusion and prompt action.
He who does not learn bow TO appor-
tion these to the hourly necessities
can not hope TO succeed in bis business,
be il what il may. II he does not
promptly decide and promptly act, time
decides for him: the Offer is with
drawn. the opportunity is gone. the
chance has slipped away, and the dila-
tory man stands bereft of the power he
might have welded and the advantage
he might have gained.
This habit of delay is fatal to all
social well-heing and happiness In
our relations with others nothing ia
more needful than TO do quickly that
which We are able to do for their com
fort AMI pleasure. Much of this con-
sists Of little things, of which, indeed.
the greater part nj life il made up. A
letter il tO De- answered, q call TO be
returned. friendly word of greeting,
or congratu l;Itinn, or warming. to- be
uttered. temporary distress to he re-
lieved. nobl" charity to b. aided.
some cheering news To- H. communi-
Gated. Th,.o.- things arc constantly
occurring To our minds. and we mean
to do them. hut not quite yet. We
wait little while. and. meantime, the
spirit that would have animated them
dies away. and either they are not
done at all. en-, coming 81 late. they
fall fiat and unhSrdct.
When We are animated nv evil
thoughts or unkind desires. when we
are prompted ia revenge wrong. to
reproach failing. ~ say bitter words.
or to- DO Cruc deeds. then i the time
for delay. Then may We well wait,
and suffer these baneful feelings To
cool and better Ouc~ 10 take their
place. But if there IL any righteous
deed to b. done. any Ju-tire To estab-
fish. any kindness To express. any love
to manifest. any joy to diffU~c, let us
hasten tO give ii form ana voice. know
ing that there i neither. time TO waste
nor space tO pause i'm the blessed work
OF doing good. thrjSti0H Union.