The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-09-22

By the side of the highway of life
The men that press with the ardor of
hope,
The men who are faint with strife.
"But turn not away from their smiles
nor their tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan;
Let me live in my house by the side of
the road,
And be friend to man"
How greatly would the peace OF Eu-
rope be menaced should the balance of
power be disturbed. 1t is a condition
which, diplomacy and the pen failing
would call in the sword and loose the
dogs of war. 70 prevent such dreaded
disaster many millions of men and money
are maintained by the monarchs, and
the anomaly of the white dove of peace
jealousy guarded by all the parapher
MALTA of slaughter causes little comment.
1t is not challenge, but a recognized
condition few will dispute, that woman
is the balance of power IN the home to-
day, and the whole christian world would
view as great disaster anything threat
ening to disturb this balances for not
alone would the state be threatened
but the very foundation Of society, the
home
So, as this universal balance of pow
err is most important, does it not be-
hooye US all TO be well balanced?'
There is word coming into more COM
mon use in the general vocabulary which
has world of meaning; that word
poise. How many of US have it? Were
we 10 use the positive rather than the
interrogative, the statement would stand,
how few of US have it. II Is as rare as
that most uncommon of qualities, com
mon sense. Yet its meaning is simply
well balanced.
Can we who allow every passing breeze
to turn us as it listeth hope TO achieve
poiseY Can We who are mentally
cross eyed from turning our eyes con-
stantly inward" hope to be well baan-
ced?
The person who is we'll poised has first
of all achieved self control; for this, like
taste for olives or working out prob
lem in trigonometry, is acquired, or a
matter of education. How buoyant
have We felt, how lifted out of ourselves,
when We have come in contact with that
one who, having had a more than COM
mon share of grief or bereavement or
sorrow, still let's their light shine on even
they who come in casual contact; and
what an inspiration they are.
But, you say it takes strength to
smile when sad, to be courteous when
mad, or to become good when bad. All
things are promised 70 they who over
come, and We all have our share. The
strength of will and character which has
been exerted by all who overcome, far
from weakening them, makes them con-
stantly better prepared for the daily com
bat; and like the pansies, which. are the
beautiful thoughts in their gardens, with
faces turned to the east TO greet the ris-
ing sun, the more they give, the more
they have. Indeed, be it pansies or be
it power, the law is memorable. That
which we have is ours only as We use it.
knowledge is gained by imparting it.
Will is attained by exerting it. Love is
gained by giving it. The more we give,
the more We nave.
And this leads on TO the expression of
thought long dormant. The active
power in the universe is love; the end of
all creation, the vital quality of the di-
vine breath of which there is a spark in
every living creature. Can it be that an
all wise creator has given Us tangible OBJ
iects of love, in peopling our world and
commanding US to Glove our neigbors as
ourselves" and so leading gradually into
that perfect harmony which is the law
ard light Of heaven?
But this depression brings Us back tC
the balance of power. It taxes expe-
rience, fortitude, will, energy aLd love to
make poise. 1.-the experiences of life
contribute their share; we can do with
them as we will, making ourselves whs
we will. But il the crucible of sutferiJ
transforms the experiences of the in
vidual into greater faith, greater h.
greater charity, then indeed is o
lifes greatest objects achieved.
/ can see her nova beautiful
cious, sun kissed heaven loved
SorrowsY Yes, the half of them
haan told. and although there