Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-02-11
LEAGUE OF THE GOLDEN PEN
Rev. T.. II. Byington, Its Founder. EN-
plains Its object.

plains It's object.
The object of the League of the Gold
en- Pen. as explained by its founder.
Rev +. H. Byington of Beverly. Mass.
is the writing of letters. not the bust
ness. social and personal correspond
ence sustained for our own advantage
but letters written in the spirit of
Christ. To give gladness. comfort. coun-
sci, inspiration. TO others. When such
are written the spirit of the writer
transmutes the steel of the pen into
gold.
Rev. Mr. Byington says: "A letter is
the only approach TO people that is sure
OF Il welcome. \ call may be an inter
ruption: friendly letter. never. You
may not listen TO all the sermon. you
may skip part Of the book or skim the
newspaper. but the personal letter you
never fail to read TO the end. devouring
eagerly the crisscrossed and illegible
postscripts. 1t is the cup of cold water
often TO the thirsty soul. and blessed is
he who gives ii.
Write 10 any one who has served
you well. Have You been enjoying
some beautiful music or work of art.
some suggestive address. some choice
contribution or stirring editorial in
paper: Take down your pen and write
a note of thanksgiving. If we thanked
our rulers more for their brave acts
and criticised them less for their err
rors. If in writing to them we used the
golden pen more often than the pOrcu-
pine quill. il would be better all around.
still broader is the privilege in writ
ing letters of praise TO friends. first
and most frequently to the nearest and
dearest: but. then. the whole world
is before us. We may need an introduce
ton 10 speak TO people but we need
none TO write them letters of praise
Take any morning the daily paper. Sc
lect some person whose noble or com
mendable deed or whose wise words
are there recorded and write him an
expression of appreciation. whether he
be ruler. millionaire. pauper or
criminal. whether in this land or some
other. Such a daily letter would make
You fountain of joy ana an inspira
ton. for nothing so uplifts TO Il higher
and holier life. so quickens the desire
to repeat worthy act as some appre-
citation of IT,
Indulge. If you choose. in anony-
nous letters. 1t is possible sometimes
TO write more freely if the name is not
to be signed. often. too. an anonymous
letter written with golden pen thrills
and suStains more than one whose au-
thorShip is known. | have n splendid
antidote for depression in an anony-
nous letter of appreciation written TO
me by some member of MY congrega-
ton. Every member of this league
ought to write some of these no name
letters 10 pastor and other friends.
They are sweeter than honey and the
honeycomb when written with the gold
en- pen.
And the love letters. How long since
you have written real love letter TO
your mother. to your father-not simply
those about your health. with inquiries
about theirs. but telling as best you
can of that love down deep in your
heart that does not ordinarily flow to
the surface and your appreciation of
all that they have done for you? But
you say that you live ut home. All the
better. Write your love letter. put
stamp on il. mail il and keep out of
sight when it is delivered and read
Then note that new radiance in your
mothers eye and feel in the gentle
pressure of her hand and the touch of
the good night kiss an unspeakable
gladness.
Husbands and wives. what of you?
In former days those love missives.
laden with endearing expressions, were
frequent. Are there any Mt all in these
days: When you are apart your epis-
ties are all about the children and other
common interests. Once in awhile skip
these and slip in n real love letter
"Pauls greatest service to the cause
of Christ was with his letters. So would
it be with many of you who never tried
1t. 1t is time to take your golden pen
out of the napkin and some OF you
have two and even five there infolded.
These things should not be- The pow
er of the spoken word, the value of
printers ink. have been much empha-
sized. 1t is time to realize the infiu-
ence of the golden pen.
''The League of the Golden Pen has
no officers. no committees. no bylaws.
no dues. only members. You initiate
yourself into membership when you
write your first letter with the golden
pen, and you continue in good and reg
MAR standing as long as you write at
least one such letter month. Let the
shut ms and the silent and the timid.
as well as the active and aggressive.
join our league"