Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-04
YEARNING FOR LOVE.
The Gift Without the Giver is Of
Little Value.
WHAT is EFFECTUAL PRAYER
It Must be United and Definite, or No Sue
cess is Promised.
NOTES OF INTEREST IN CHURCH WORK

True charity not alone consists in bestow-
ing our money upon those who are in need.
1t reaches far out and beyond this limited
idea. The past year has demonstrated that
the people of the United States are ready
and willing to help when dire distress visits
community, and with no stinted hand. To
this display Of sympathy for the distressed
we truly can say, "Well DONE"
Yet. after all this, there is a still more
necessary kind of sympathy that it would
be well for us to cultivate during the New
Year. The PresbyteriGn Banner wisely says
that affection in the heart is the explanation
of the brightness and hearty cheer of one class
of households while the absence OF any indi-
cation of its presence is the potent cause Of the
coldness and indifference in another class. Of
tener than is generally supposed families are
miserable and wrecked because the demand of
the heart for some expression of love Is not
answered.
We take up a morning newspaper and notice
q report of the suicide Of young girl The
reporter wonders saying: "Her mother had
slayed to give her every advantage, and after
her return from school would not let her worK;
would bear all the burdens herself to let the
daughter have (enioy) her reading, music. etc.
What cause for her. death could there have
been" Ah, the poor mother sadly mistook,
''The gift without the giver is bare,
Not what we give, but what we share"
has the blessing in it. The daughter needed
sympathy, companionship, love, and was put
of to be satisfied with ease.
Or perhaps it is the daughter of q man Of
wealth, surrounded seemingly by everything
that one could wish, who leaves her luxurious
home to go of with her fathers coachman! Or
perhaps q wife forsakes her home and husband.
Is it not still the craving for affection for some
one to love herf Not merely the practical love
that provides for her wants, but the sweet
tenderness and sympathy in her interests and
desires, and the privilege OF sharing the
thoughts and plans of father or husband. More
interest shown on the part of the wife, softer
words a smile once in a while would have kept
the husband from being led astray in seeking
this which he did not receive from his own.
1t is worthy of consideration whether the abb
sence of any exhibition Of personal interest
and sympathy is not the cause OF failure in
other lines Much work for the masses fails
ecause people do not want to be taken as a
mass Each one ..yearns for recognition, no
matter how rough or repellant their manners.
The politician recognizes this. and greets those
whose votes he wants individually, and calls
him brother"
Many Christian people wonder that the re-
ligion of Christ does not permeate all society.
Is it not because they do not by practice carry
out its divine precepts in this respect2
So
Retrace the months-what hast thou done
The youth around thee to improved
What, through the year whose course has run,
To win them to a SAVIOR Lowell
Has kind instruction been distilled
From mornings dawn till evening shAdep
were hours Of relaxation filed
With usefulness that meier betrayed
Has discipline held fast the rein
With prudent, firm. yet gentle hand,
Those infant vices to restrain
That sought thy counsel to Withstand
Look back, my soul, impartial trace,
The scenes of the departed year
1mplore forgiveness, seek for grace,
And Heaven in mercy heed thy prayer.