The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
NEW YEAR IN THE HOME.
Whatever the Life Has Been inc
True-Hearted Meet the New ear
with Hope for Betterment.

with Hope for Betterment.
There are few that enter upon a
new year without the hope of the
resolution that however good or poor
the life, work and pleasure, have
been during the past, the coming
year shall witness improvement IN
| their quality. Those who feel that
the record of the previous year has
| been, in the main, good, are stimu-
| lated to further efforts; those whose
| hearts are sore because of what lies
| before them long earnestly for an
| improved condition of affairs during
| the days to come. So, whatever the
| life has been, however the work has
Jared, the true-hearted everywhere
meet the new year with hope ana
a prayer that in its months they may
| Rise on stepping stones of their oeao
| selves to higher things
1t is not to be expected, writes
Elizabeth Lord Condit, in Minneapolis
Housekeeper, that the homekeeper
or the housewife shall be exempt
from the number of those who desire
to reach greater excellence. With
her it may not mean more OF 1ndlVld-
ual work, but it may mean more OF
giving the mind to work that is I'M
pleasant or disliked. 1t may mean
stronger effort to systematic work,
or to perform it in orderly fashion
en- the part of those who have little
method in work, or who do things
in desultory, haphazard way.
1t may mean for some the putting
of conscience into the work; for
others the gradual apprehension OF
the uplifting truth that only in the
discharge of duty-whether it be the
performance of homely household
tasks that often seem to exhaust
body and mind or in more congenlal
employment-they advance toward
the realization of the highest ideals;
and, if the spirit has serene control,
this is accomplished with the least
friction possible, the least waste OF
physical and mental strength.
When a woman comes to recognize
:. her personal responsibility in the
faithful, cheerful doing of her work
as essential to the fulfllment of the
Divine plan-not simply for herself
but for the betterment of the world
she becomes a conscious worker
with God, and desire for self-advance-
: ment gradually recedes into the
background. She does not efface
herself, she respects herself, ano
thus commands-whatever her work
the respect of every right-mindec
person, and grows into a broader
stronger, sweeter, nobler soul day by
day. Her outlook embraces botf
horizons-thee earthly and the heavenly
This much of comfort every ear
nest and tired worker should take fcl
l. her refreshment at the beginning o.
the year. When eyes ache because
of close scrutiny, nothing rests TIT
d strained or weary nerve like the far
off gaze. The broader field of visiol
: calls into play fresh set of muscles
L the tension is relaxed, and, after
' little, the eye can return to the mar
rowest limits with renewed vigor ant
brightness.
So it is with the wearied home
keeper. There is such a sameness Il
Il the necessary round of housework
such daily repetition of toll; thre
meals day to be prepared by one
own hands or planned for another t
rs provide; the family Zig leaves" t
% be made ready and looked after TO
st daily or special use; the house to
Is kept fresh, in order, and ready 10
1T family occupation or friendly visit
lie and the general oversight of tn
j. home with all that implies of fore
Of thought which may include a rang
it of months. If, to all this, is adde
TT the care and training of grown
at family, and also a very limited finar
t. ciaI ability. the strain on stron
c. womans strength is tremendous;
n. a weaker woman is often more tina
et she can bear.
at See. then, the need of deliberatel
n changing the range of vision at lea:
ur once a year. Perhaps the relief o.
a tanned then will convince OF the WI
is dom of more frequent looking OFF b
ey vond the narrower horizon of hon
e cares, duties and pleasures, into IL
nd broader one of Gods great worl
ey and the still broader one where mir
ut, and shirt learn to interpret I'll
n, great truths of life and love to tt
he material comprehension and REDEEM
lid lion. May the New Year bring tn
mt iov and refreshment to all!
New Yenr's Superstitions.
n. "Don't take light out OF the hou
- before one has been brought in, is Il