Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-11
Nests for Our Own Souls.

for yourselves nests of pleasant
thoughts. None of us yet know. for
none OF us have been taught in
early youth. what fairy palaces we may
build OF beautiful thought-proof against
all adversely. Bright fancies, satisfied
memories, noble histories, faithful say
ings, treasure houses Of precious and rest
full thoughts which care cannot disturb,
nor pain make gloomy. nor poverty take
away from us-houses built without hands
for our souls to live in"
Very many OF us have had intimate
knowledge Of persons during our jour
ney through life who were sunshiny I'm
their habits Of conversation and especial
~ in their estimate OF others. and who
made us feel better because of their sun
shine. and were, therefore. good for US.
because we thus lived for the time in
their reflected light.
Nor were such persons confined to the
well-to-do people, for oftentimes the sun
shine came from the very depths Of pow
erty. remember with gratitude a coll
ored woman with whom / had intimate
acquaintance for more than forty years,
and who was habitually cheerful, always
obliging and loyal in her attachments.
She made for herself nests OF pleasant
thoughts" to dwell in. She enjoyed life
in a most satisfactory way, because she
obtained more real enjoyment out Of her
surroundings than anybody I ever knew,
black or white, principally because pow.
erty had no cares for her. and being so
near the absolute level, she never had far
TO descend when trouble came to her.
She would SIT up with the sick night after
night, and although she could nod COM
fortably whenever she was seated before
the fire, or slept soundly and sweetly
on her rude pallet in summer time, yet
when daylight came she was as chirpy
as the chickens and graciously ready to
do any service required at her hands. She
never forgot a benefit shown to herself
and when burdened with years she de-
lighted to recall them as the sweetest
Of her memories, comfortable nests made
Of pleasant thoughts" 1t was the uni
form habit Of her mind to see the bright
side on every occasion and often wished
could learn from this humble servitor
how to meet the annoyances OF every day
life with such amiable serenity, because
I myself never yet have been able to
look ahead without some forebodings
and despite continuous efforts to trust
the promises Of a gracious Heavenly
Father. care. more or less, win attend
my efforts and anxiety will keep pace
with my interests and affections.
If there is any one thing the human
family should obtain at all hazards and
seek for and agonize after. it is the love
Fear IS a dreadful master. A wise
man once said. Fear had the largest
family OF children that ever was known"
II II had been only love that was said
TO have the most children we would all
be so glad to know II.
Little children begin early with the
fears. They have fear OF darkness, fear
of lightning, fear OF ghosts and OF many
other things they encounter in childhood.
And those fears never entirely let go
their influence until the spirit crosses
the dark river and enters into the Great
Beyond. Children will continue 70 suf-
fer these fears. because the habit OF fear
ing things was born in them, was handed
down to them by ancestors who feared
things and who never lost the sensation
In all their mortal experiences. And
when the habit is fully established within
a persons nature II is abetted by train
ing and environment as well, until we
make TO ourselves nests in which fears
and anxieties compose the entire struc-
ture and many times haunt US day and
night.
The only real remedy that the world
has ever been offered to overcome fear
is the Divine command to cast the burden
upon omnipotent love. with the gracious
| promise OF the Holy Spirit to 60 with
us through the Fiery trials and in
the deep waters as a sustaining power.
/ In our haDitual condition or fear-taking
we are nowhere promised to be exempted
1 from the things we naturally dread or
screen against. but we are assured that
we may cast this burden Of carlxing
/ anxiety on the Great Helper, who will
make the way easier and the burden
/ lighter. Those who are able to compre-
bend this glorious knowledge, and to
battle their consciousness in such ex-
pressions Of Divine love, can walk like
Peter did when the Masters voice was
heard near him, but who will struggle
and sink In the waters when the voice
/ IS afar on.
Such nests Of spiritual thought have
housed thousands OF people who have
heard the winds roar and felt the storm
beat above their heads. amidst darkness
and gloom. and the liberty that we are
promised means the Divine permission
to trust the Master with all things known
or unknowable and to dwell I'm these
nests OF pleasant thoughts" where care
cannot disturb. or poverty take away
i from u