The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-07-02
ART OF APPRECIATION.
IL Ii the OH which Makes the Do-
nestle machinery hun
Smoothly.

Sohht SlhANS say Nhab appreciation ID
a lost art in our age. They can quote
too many u~tterances from the pulpit,
the platform and the press in support
Of their verdict There are immense
advantages in freedom of speech, but
there is no advantage to all-except to
the devil and the forces that make for
despair-in unfair and unkindly criti-
cism. The more excellent way is to
look at the bright side Of things, and
to recognize whatever is good in men
or movements. The world will not be
lashed into goodness, but it may be
coaxed. Resolutions TO be and do bet
ter flourish in the sunshine of genial
appreciation, but they wither and die
before the blighting breezes Of fault
finding. The larger practice Of the art
Of appreciation will add much TO the
sweetness and helpfulness Of daily
living.
Appreciation is, in many instances,
but another form Of gratitude. Some
writer says that a heart without graf
itude is like a CRATE filed with fuel I'M
lighted, and the room all the colder be-
cause Of the unfulhlled promise OF glow
and warmth. Those who have received
favors and feel their obligations, either
to God or man, are bound 10 give some
expression to their feeling. Apprecia-
ton may be and often is giving thanks
to whomsoeyer thanks are due. This
Is done on a large scale when, after a
great campaign. honorable mention is
made OF the heroes who have distin-
gtished themselves by successful valor.
II is right that the soldier who bore
the heat and burden Of the battle with
out hinching should receive the CRATE
ful acknowledgment Of the country he
hes served so faithfully. Such appre-
citation is not flattery, but the fitting
tribute Of the nation to services worthy
Of recognition. The same principle
should extend into every department
Of civil, social and domestic life, lead
ing US TO say the helpful word and
manifest the grateful spirit in which
there are both inspiration and re-
ward.
Appreciation is the oil of family life,
making the domestic machinery 90
swiftly and smoothly. A superficial
critic of the undemonstratiye char
acter Of Scottish affection says that a
Scotchman never tells his wife that he
loves her until she is dead. He was
not an Irishman, although in this in
statnce he perpetrated a bull, but a
solid, matter-of-fact, If somewhat dull,
observer. Too many a weary and bur-
dened wife has to wait until the hour
of death for the loving word Of appre-
citation which would chase away the
clouds from her sky and surround her
with sunshine. The husband who is
a true deutschland of the qualities that
sweeten and strengthen life by the fire.
side, speaks frequently and freely his
grateful appreciation Of the u~nceasing
ministry Of the wife and mother. This
Is his duty as well as his privilege.
Parents have to wait too long for the
recognition Of their devotion to their
children, a devotion which gathers into
itself the prayers, the anguish, the sac
rihce Of body, soul and spirit. Fer
vent eulogiums in the chamber Of
death, fragrant flowers heaped in pro-
fuse p~rodigality on the coffin, and q
beautiful marble monument In the
c~hurchyard, are poor substitutes for
the loving words which ought TO have
been spoken In the days Of service that
was appreciated, but never praised. II
is better 10 break the alabaster box of
grateful love in the ministry Of aztec.
tionate attention than to hoard It IN
for the hour Of burial. when the heart
II cold and unresponsive.
There is another class Of workers for
the welfare OF humanity in our day
who should receive more generous ap-
probation. Preachers Of the eyerlast-
ing Gospel, who hold forth the word
OF life Sabbath after Sabbath, pastors
who spend heart and brain and en-
ergy week after week In comforting the
sad and ministering to the sick, deserve
cordial acknowledgment OF their labors.
They would shrink from fattery as
from a blow, but the frank and cor,
dial mention Of help received from their
services would often be 10 them As a
draught of cold water to a thirsty tray.
eler. The words Of criticism and con-
demnation are spoken freely, but She
words of appreciation are doled out
with miserly hand-except In obituary
notices. Appreciation Of the pulpit Is,
like mercy, twice blessed-it biesses
him who gives and him who receives.
Mr.. Gladstone once said that what an
audience gives In yppor comes bdck to
them in rain. Surround your minister
with an atmosphere Of appreciation in
n out OF the pulpit, and zee IL your
appreciation does not return 10 Won
laden with blessing.
II you would live the happy, helptul
life, abandon the art Of fanlt-fnding
and cultivate the art Of appreciation.
II is far easier to criticise superbly
THAN to do the smallestdeed well. Nome
OF your neighbors Is perfect, and you
DO not show your own perfection by
ningipg stones ut their imperfeetions.
The better way u.s.
BE TO their faults a little blind.
And to their virtues very kind"
-l'ey' d. Sutherland, in N. Y. Ledger.