The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1905-02-09
LEAGUE OF THE GOLDEN PIN
Rev. e. HI. Bying ton, Its Founder, Ex-
plains It's Object.

Rev. e. HI. Hyin gton, Its Founder, Elk
plains It's Object.
The object of the League Of the Gold
en- Pen, as explained by its founder,
Rev. e. H. Byington Of Beverly, Mass.
ia 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 welcome. A 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 it.
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
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, it 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 to speak to people, but we need
none to write them letters of praise
Take any morning the daily paper. Sc
1ect some person whose noble or COM
nendable deed or whose wise words
are there recorded and write him an
expression Of appreciation. whether he
be ruler, a millionaire, a pauper or a
criminal, whether in this land or some
other. Such a daily letter would make
you fountain of Joy and an inspira-
ton, for nothing so upiifts to a higher
and holier life, so quickens the desire
to repeat a 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 J
and sustains more than one whose au-
thorship Is known. | have q 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 to 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 a 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
Ill that they have done for you But
you say that you live at home. All the
better. Write your love letter. put
stamp on It, mail it and keep out of
sight when it is delivered and read.
Then note that new radiance ia your
mothers eye and feel in the gentle
pressure of her hand and the touch Of
he good night kiss an unspeakable
,ladness.
Husbands and wives, what of you?
n former days those love missives.
aden with endearing expressions, We're
requent. Are there any at all in these
lays! When you are apart your epis-
les are all about the children and other
common interests. Once in awhile skip
hese and slip In real love letter.
"PauFs greatest service to the cause
I Christ was with his letters. So would
be with many Of you who never tried
{. 1t Is time to take your golden pen ]
ut OF the napkin and some of you
ave two and even five there infolded.
-ASSS 1AAA&S Iol LIE DOW |
r Of the spoken word, the value of
rinter's ink, have been much empha-
lied. 1t is time to realize the influ-
nee of the golden pen.
The League of the Golden Pen has
o officers, no committees, no bylaws.
0 dues, only members. You initiate
ourself into membership when you
rite your first letter with the golden
en-, and you continue in good and reg
lar standing as long as you write at
asst one such letter month. Let the
hut ms and the silent and the timid.
well as the active and aggressive,
lin our league"
Z zzE~z ------------ ------------
: The King and the Republican.
The unconventionaIity of the royal
lmily Of Sweden is well illustrated by