The Newtown bee., 1892-07-22
Present versus Posthumous Praise.

es me, and leeds myself"
 
 Present versus Posthumous Praise.
 At recent meeting of church officials to consult as to the affairs of the church, the venerable recording steward was absent for the first time in many years. The cause of his absence was well under stood. While his heart was no doubt with his brethren, his body lay upon bed of pain. Indeed, so severe was hls illness, that fears were entertained lest it should prove a sickness unto death. With deep concern and sincere sympathy his associates spoke of him; but to only one occurred the happy thought ot mak- ing that concern and sympathy known to their object, without waiting until pre- chance he should have passed beyond their reach. So he proposed that formal resolution, expressive of their general feeling, should be passed, and communicated to the sufferer in due course, supporting his motion with the statement that, while the proceeding might seem little unusual, yet he felt strongly that in many cases such ex- pressions, which could not fail to give great pleasure to their subjects, were all too often postponed until the one who called them forth was no more in the land of the living and, instead of bring ing welcome inspiration to the toiler, they were but tributes to the memory of him whose task was done.
 Of course, the motion had the hearty approval of all present and, happily, the official thus honored won his way back to his wonted health and vigor. Still, who can doubt that better than the phy- sician's remedies was the unexpected evidence of the high place he held in the affections and respect of co-work- CTS in the Masters vineyard?
 This incident we'll serves to bring be- fore us the whole question of present, as opposed to posthumous, praise, in the discussion of which for a little l ask leave to hold brief for the former, my contention being that our life would be richer and brighter and it's burdens more easily borne, if we were less chary ot saying kind things to one another as the days go by.
 In setting this forth, however, I must be permitted to guard against being mis- understood. It is real praise Chat is' hearty, genuine appreciation of what is worthy in another), not fiattery, fol ;al distinction that is excellently illustrated in the anecdote of the pastor who, having outworn his wei come, was with much difficulty persuad- ed to agree to resign his charge. Nc sooner had he done this, than he was fairly overwhelmed with tokens and ex pressions of their regard from his grate full flock. On the Sunday when he wat to preach his farewell sermon, congre gation large beyond preceden filled the church; and the con sternation of the audience may be imagined when, instead of sayins "Good-by," the worthy pastor announc ed that, since making known his inten tion to resign, he had received so man. | pEUOlS ol PCOPiC uCFOoAOh po hia1 that he had decided not to leave them but to continue at his post so long as h. was spared for service. In that case, the. .fatterers, kindly, n doubt, as their meaning was, were takel at their word in way they had not an ticipated. Yet even their experienc should not deter us from giving utteranc to many a word of praise that in our cas
 would be perfectly sincere and tha might prove of signal service to the on who deserved it.
 l The fact of the matter is that, Whil comment and criticism more or less caus tic, with their chilling, benumbing infiu ence, abound, there is a woful lack of tn commendation that cheers and inspire to further effort. We seem to consider duty devolving upon us, and in no wis to be evaded, that the chorus of criticism should ever be strong and full, while, a for the giving of praise,an occasional SC To is quite sufficient.
 Il It is not until the one whose doing have excited attention is beyond tn
 reach of both that the chorus of prais
 bursts forth with volume that irresis
 ibly suggests it's having been long pen
 up,-withheld for some inscrutable real
 on until it was too late. There are som verses of Margaret Preston's that mak
 eloquent protest against this state c
 things.
 ..What use tor the rope ii it be not flung Till the swimmers grasp to the rock has clunt , What help in & comrades bugle-blast
 When the peril of Alpine height is passed9 What need that the spurring pean roll When the runner is safe within the goal? 2 No, no; If you have but a word of cheer, Speak 1t while am alive to hear. How much would care for 1t could know That whenI am under the grass or snow, The travelled garment of life's brief day ? Folded and quietly laid away,
 \ The spirit let loose from mortal bars q And somewhere away among the stars,- ! How much do you think 1t would matter tn 2 What praise was lavished upon me, when D Whatever might be It's stint or store,
 Itneither could help nor harm me inore2"