The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-01-06
THE NEW YEAR.
= Few Words Of Cheer and En-
conra cement for the Housekecpcr.

couragement for the Housekecper.
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 nam,
good, are stimulated 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, what
ever the life has been. however the
work has Jared, the true-hearted
everywhere meet the new year with a
hope and prayer that in its months
they may Rise on stepping stones OF
their dead selves to higher things.
1t is not to be expected. writes
Elizabeth Lord Condit, in Minneapolis
Housekeeper that the homekeeper OF
the housewife shall be exempt from
the number of those who deslte TO
reach greater excellence. With her IT
may not mean more Of Individual
work, but it may mean more OF giving
the mind to work that is unpleasant
or disliked. 1t may mean d stronger
effort to systematic work, or to per-
form it in orderly fashion on 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 up
lifting truth that only in the discharge
of duty-whether it be the perfor-
nance of homely household tasks that
often seem to exhaust body and mind
or in more congenial employment
they advance toward the realization
of the highest ideals: and. if the spirit
has serene control, this is accomplish
ed with the least friction possible, the
least waste of physical and mental
strength.
When woman comes to recognize
her personal responsibility in the
faithful, cheerful doing of her work
as essential to the fulillment 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-adyancement
gradually recedes into the background.
She does not etface herself, she re-
spects herself, and thus commands
whatever her work-the respect OF
every right-minded person, and grows
into a broader, stronger, sweeter,
nobler soul day by day. Her outlook
embraces both horizons earthly
and the heavenly.
This much of comfort every earnest
and tired worker should take for her
refreshment at the beginning OF the
year. When eyes ache because OF
close scrutiny, nothing rests the
strained or weary nerve like the far
off gaze. The broader field Of vision
calls into play fresh set of muscles,
the tension is relaxed, and, after a
little. the eye can return to the mar.
rowest limits with renewed yigor and
brightness.
So it is with the wearied home
keeper. There is 81 ;h a sameness in
the necessary rouud Of housework:
such a daily repetition of toll: three
meals day to be prepared by ones
own hands or planned for another tc
provide; the family fig leaves" to be
made ready and looked after for daily
or special use: the house to be kept
fresh, in order. and ready for family
occupation or friendly visit: and the
general oversight of the home with al
that implies of forethought which
may include a range Of months. If.
to all this, is added the care and train
of a growing family, and also L very
limited financial ability, the strain or
strong woman's strength is tremend
Gus; on a weaker woman is often more
than she can bear.
See. then, the need Of deliberately
changing the range Of vision at least
once a year. Perhaps the relief OBJ.
tanned then will convince of the wis
dom of more frequent looking off be-
yond the narrower horizon of home
cares, duties and pleasures, into the
broader one Of Gods great world, and
the still broader one where mind and
spirit learn to interpret the great
truths of life and love to the material
comprehension and redemption. May
the New Year bring this Joy and re-
freshment to all.