The Mena star., 1898-06-15
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Some cynics sas that appreciation is lost art in our age. They can quote too many utterances 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 dashed 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 grat- itude is like grate filled with fuel un- lighted, and the room all the colder be- cause of the unfultilled promise of glow and warmth. Those who have received favors and feel their obligations, either to God or man, are bound to give some expression to their feeling. Apprecia- tion may be and often is giving thanks to whomsoeyer thanks are due. This is done on large scale when, after great campaign, honorable mention is made of the heroes who have distin- guished themselves by successful valor. 1t is right that the soldier who bore the heat and burden of the battle with out finching should receive the grate full acknowledgement of the country he has served so faithfully Such appre- citation is not fattery, 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 go swiftly and smoothly. X superficial critic of the undemonstrative char acter of Scottish affection says that Scotchman never tells his wife that he loves her until she is dead. H was not an Irshman, although in this in- statnce he perpetrated a bull, but a solid, matter-of-fact, if somewhat dull, observer Too many q 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 true hou-se-band of the qualities that sweeten and strengthen life by the fire side, speaks frequently and freely his grateful appreciation of the unceasing ministry of the wife and mother. This Is his duty us we'll as his privilege.
 Parents have to wait too long for the recognition of their devotion to their children, devotion which gathers into itself the prayers, the anguish, the sac riiice of body, soul and spirit. Fer vent eulogiums in the chamber of death, fragrant flowers heaped in pro- fuse prodigality on the coffin, and a beautiful marble monument in the churchynrd, are poor substitutes for the loving words which ought to have been spoken in the days of service that was appreciated, but never praised. It is better to break the alabaster box of grateful love in the ministry of affec- ox.J | for the hour of burial, when the heart is cold and unresponsiye.
 There is another class of workers for the welfare of humanity in our day who should receive more generous ap- preciation. Preachers of the everlast- 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 acknowledgement of their labors. They would shrink from hattery as from a blow, but the frank and cor dial mention of help received from their services would often be to them as a draught of cold water to thirsty trav- eler. The words of criticism and con- ds smnation are spoken freely, but the words of appreciation are doled out with miserly hand-except in obituary notices. Appreciation of the pulpit is, like mercy, twice blessed-it blesses him who gives and him who receives Mir. Gladstone once said that what an audience gives in vapor comes back to them in rain. Surround your minister