The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-10-11
Idly Through My Window.
(Christian Neiehbor.)


If Sunday afternoon is hot It usually
seems to many the the hottest of the
week at least. Is it that they must 60
to Sunday-school to perform duties Of
tentimes very difficult Of performance ?
In how many schools is the scene one
of noisy disorder from opening to clos
ing? How rare is the genius for COM
manding, controlling and yet in prac-
tice 1t would appear that any "good'
man, any otherwise gifted man, may
be made superintendent. But one
who lacks this important and peculiar.
quality is wholly out of place as a
leader. Sunday after Sunday he is
made to feel his insufficiency and con-
sequent ineficiency (unless he is also,
wanting in sensibility). There is no
humiliation in ones recognition of his
own limitations, and in his voluntary
REIMBURSEMENT of duties for which he
knows him self unified; indeed both
self-respect and a quick regard for the
rights of others would dictate the
move. While each Suaday-school
teacher must give his own class the
impress of his character, yet the school
as a whole is guided or misguided, con-
trolled or not controlled by its chief of
ficer. But here are the children
ones, two's three's, by scores they
pass from tiny toddlers up, white,
black, and all intermediate shades );
many placed only by the company
they keep, so fair and beautiful as
easily to be mistaken for pure Caucas-
ian.
And the apparelling! This is
said to be an affair of femin-
inc interest almost altogether. But
like many proverbial sayings it con-
tains error if it is not wholly false. 1t
is no small question, "wherewithal
shall we be clothed" "-Nor Is the
manner of clothing unimportant.
There is perfect accord between this
statement and the high counsel we
have received to forbear anxious
thought concerning possession.
But truly the question of dressing,
right dressing as opposed to wrong
dressing is far beyond mere feminine
fancy, it is a concern for the human
race, present and future, and of physi-
cal, moral, and spiritual well.being.
1t is no fad (for day it is interpret
ed), but one of the things demanding
attention and decision, that is decision
by way of a beginning.
But during this depression the even
ing shades have fallen fast, and the
mind turns to that incom parable poet
ic gem left as precious gift to the
world by our Longfellow, The Day Is
Done. Each one should make it his
own. Instead of this, however, there
shall be quoted another bit of word
painting both exquisite, and grand.
1t is by Joseph Addison, and is found
in the Methodist hymn book
The spacious armament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
Th' unwearied sun, from day to day,
Doth his Creators power display,
And publishes to every land
The work Of an almighty hand.
Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale!
And nightly to the listening earth,
Repeats the story Of her birth;
Willie all the stars that round her burn
And all the plants In their turn,
Confirm the tidings, as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole.
What though, in solemn silence, all
Move round this dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice, nor sound,
Amid the radiant orbs be found?
In reasons ear they all rejoice,
And utters forth glorious voice,
For ever singing as they shine,
"The hand that made US Is divine" X.