Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-08-31
OUR SATURDAY NIGHT.

not, but its bloom will be an apology
for a flower. Another will pot the
plant more carefully, tend 1t better,
and It will stand as an ornament in the
window as one Of collection Of thrifty
plants and 1t will grow a really beauti.
ful flower and cause much pleasure In
the world. IL will be as good as
thousands Of others, but not better. But
IL has not been failure. Nothing
commonplace is. But third woman
will take the same plant when
1t is small and make wonder of it.
She will grow the mere slip with
tender care and train 1t with q gentle
touch. She will keep 1t from the gar-
ing sun and the whitening heat. With
loving eye she will watch each leaf
and branch unfold until its lustrous
foliage spreads in graceful growth, and
thick-set with buds IL gives promise Of
great floral beauty. It's leaves are more
perfect than were the flowers of the
other two plants. It's blossoms become
halo Of wonder, q revelation to the
senses and a source OF thanbfuiness and
inspiration 10 the beholder, that leads
him tc believe that the author of all
the grace and beauty in this world had
thought Of divine pleasure in his crea'
ton and that it was exercised for more
than a mere passing show.
At this season we take up the tasks
Of life again for more serious purpose,
The vacations OF summer are oyer. We
come fresh and strong to our several
life tasks. What is our thought for the
tender slips of humanity under our
care? Shall they grow up stunted and
imperfect images Of the Creator, un-
developed fully In any direction by any
kind care Of ours? Shall thev be treat
ed as mere commonplace? Or shall we
like the third woman In the parable
carefully select the soil for them to
grow In, water and nourlsh their
young roots, give them sun and shade.
air and warmth as 1t is best suited for
their expanding TO the highest per.
fectlon? The future child like the
future plant IL within US. The outside
world will reduce II TO the fora OF the
forest, often revealing rare wild
flower but smothering millions merely
to Zurich the forest mold. There is In |
every child an image Of perfection
which II developed even partially will
bring to the world great JOY. fit die
or slumber II will bring it's bitter har-
vest Of sorrow and pain. Every child
is spark of the Divine and when we
touch little human body we touch a
bit Of Heaven, ~ the lecturer told us
the other day, Oh, II all could believe
that how II would transform this world
into paradise! How 1t would make
US all thoughtful and faithful and con-
to the younger generations
and TO ourselves. Orthodoxy is all
right for the adult Of fixed habits but
only an everlasting evolution and pro-
gress will do for children.
We need not discuss the question
children come into the world
as gifts from God or by the volltion of
parents, or whether they are taken
away by act Of providence. They are
here land they are ours to care for.
they belong to the thinking mau or
woman just rs much As though they
lad begot them and put In their nos
rils the breath Of life, 30 far as moral
'esponsibility goes. The growth, de-
Velopment and future OF the childhood
II today ls ours TO make of 1t what we
will. Shall we make of 1t the best that
3 In It and the best that Is In us, or
hall we leave 1t to grow up stunted for
want of our best love and thought and
ARE? Shall we leave our own TO be
Iround down In the dust of the COM
that burles millions In un-
deserved oblivion because they never
lad q chance TO grow aud bloom into
'erfect beings In the sunlight OF lover
4 We do, what an awakening is In
tore for US on the great resurrection
lay when all the spirits shall awake
nd realize their falthfulness or un-
TO the laws Of being.