Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-31
Tn. wnrst Of Being Poor.

An able writer in a late Harper's Week
IL decides that the feature IN poverty
which is the most dificult 10 bear ana
which gives the poor person the most anx-
iety, IS the dread OF getting 10 De nome
less and penniless.
After The crisis is reached and the SUI
ferer Is both homeless and penniless,
something happens or somebody comes
along and alIeviates the real suffering,
and the last condition Is that much better
than the previous one. for IL brings sensi-
bic relief from dread.
Thfs idea was sufficiently novel to arrest
my attention and I do believe there are
tens OF thousands Of people who so TO bed
every night with care ninging deep
shades over their thoughts and who
awake in the morning with real regret,
that the relief from anxiety had been only
limited 10 he hours spent In sleep. AFTER
they get wide awake they take up the
burden again and II is a burden that they
lug around an day. until exhausted nature
Yields again and sleep comes once more
20 give a rest spell in blissful unconscious
ness.
When sleep fails TO come and this burd-
en- OF dread is not cast OF. then the nerv-
Gus system begins 70 give away.
Insomnia tends 10 nervous prostration
and both lead some times TO lunacy or
abnormal conditions Of the mental system
on what a blessing 70 lie human race
is sleep. sound. refreshing sleep! II Is
truly s.tired natures sweet restorer!
What a gracious rest spell il brings!
OF all poor people tina, We know ABOUT
poor rich people are those 10 be most
rftied. IL Is hard TO grow old gracefully,
says some writer. but II is even more
difacult 10 grow poor gracefully or con-
tentedly without getting sour.
To people who have had means 10 buy
Iuxuries and comforts. it goes douoly
hard 10 lose these things and yet keep
an even mind and placid spirit OF resigna-
tIon in recalling them
This dread OF poverty makes the suf-
ferer d.st-ait and apqrehensive. because
the dread Is so continuous
IL is not what really sustains life that
we are in danger OF really giving up, but
: Il is the anxiety that carking fear brings
Of being helpless. dependent and often
times afflicted, that robs the present OF
its satisfaction and our patience
Some Of the people who took most pleas
tlre in their everyday life that I have
ever known were those who were a-6e
the Hebrews in the wilderness. only
granted their food and sustenance day by
day They seemed 10 enjoy the gospel OF
1cntent 10 the full. while some OF the
unhappiest were those who continually
struggled 20 get more for fear they might
at some time have less 20 live upon.
AEur,s prayer. Give me neither power
Z ~ nor riches would appear TO be the
happy medium OF our earthly existence.
: because great wealth taxes the owner
with great care and deep poverty infiicts
the black cloud OF dread. the fear OF want,
dependence and privation. Perhaps Il is
entirely true that the worst is the fear or
being poor.
what the world longs for. Irrespective
or circumstance or surroundings. IS the
wherewith which contributes 10 peace OF
mind the rest which takes out OF the hu-
man heart the carking dread Of poverty
and OF distress IN affection.
There are those who tell US that such
peace Is attainable and amidst the deep
est affection this heavenly peace flows like
a river. and Is never checked or hindered
BY untOward surroundings.
Strange Il Is when this universal cry for
peace Of mind Is all over the land that we
do not lay our burdens down and seek
this abiding peace as the miner seeks for
hid treasure.
May the kind Heavenly Father so teach
Us TO number our days that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom-the wisdom that
yields TO the inevitable and out OF these
depresslons. anxious cares and forebodings
We may glimpse the sunlight OF rest and
peace above the storm-clOuds that beset
us