Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-11-14

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There are few, if any, who do not
sometimes use kind words, and as few
who always use them. Occasionally we
meet with man who seems so stern
and cold, or so rough and unfriendly,
that we cannot imagine kind words issu-
ing from his lips; yet there is, doubtless,
some secret corner of his heart which
compels such utterances, though it may
be only at rare intervals. A great many
people, however, use them freely at GER
tain times and within certain relations,
while at other seasons and to other per-
sons they discard them from their voca-
bulary We see, for instance, man
who always speaks kindly to his family
and friends, but who seems utterly
changed directly he enters his place of
| business. There he is gruff and stern,
giving orders with austerity, or receiv-
ing them with moroseness. No pleasant
greeting or kindly word escapes his lips
through the day; yet, when he returns
to his household at night he is gentle
and tender. Another is all smiles and
suavity to strangers, while for his own
family he has few words but those of
command and complaint.
Very few indeed have the disposition
to utter kind words at all times and
under all circumstances. Perhaps, in
deed, very few would consider it wise
thing to do, even if they were SO inclin-
ed. There is general feeling that they
are sometime out of place and tend to
neutralize the effect that should be pro-
duced. Yet we doubt if experience could
show even one such case. Of course
there is much misplaced softness, weak
ness and pliability where firmness and
force are required, but kind feelings and
kind words should never be mistaken
for these. They are essentially different.
Firmness and weakness are contradic-
| tions, but firmness and kindness can
dwell together, each really helping, in
stead of hindering, the other. On the
other hand weak people are by no means
the kindliest There are some, very
''much of concession" who can yet say
uncharitable and even malignant things.
The truth is that kind words have a
much larger and more important mission
than is usually supposed. They are
much more than mere sweetness OF
daily life; they prepare the way fol
every kind Of intercourse that may be
necessary, and facilitate it's aim. Take,
for instance, the case in which it is often
thought best to dispense with kind words
that of one who is called upon tc
criticize or to reprove. The manner Of
doing this delicate task frequently makes
all the difference in the way it is receiv
ed, Given with kindly feelings anG
couched in kind words, it carries with i
power on the heart that can never bt
exerted by cold severity or hot anger
If the purpose of reproof be the good o
the offender, not the outlet of indignan
displeasure, no medium can be found s.
favorable as the earnest and kindl
speech that betrays sympathy, compaf
sion and hope.
Yet it is not only as means of secul
ing desirable results that kind words ar
valuable. Few realize how largely th
happiness of the world is wrapped up i
them. 1t is impossible to estimate ho
: many quarrels they prevent, how muc
) ill-nature and bitter feeling they subdu,
1 how many hearts on the verge of separ!
t tion they reunite, how many pleasal
surprises they often occasion, how man
sad hearts they comfort, how man
timid ones they reassure, how muc
delight they bestow. If only part {
all this were fully realized, surely thel
is not one among us who would refuse
his fellow men blessing so inestimabl
to them and so easy for him to bestov
For kind works cost only little though
little self control, little effort, br
their fruits are manifold and weighty.