Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-03-03
LEAGUE OF THE GOLDEN PEN
Rev. e III. ByfnEton, It's Founder, Ex-
piatns Its object.

LEAGUE Or The GOLDEN PEN
Rev. e. m. Byfnxton, IL. Founder, Ex-
pistns Its object.
The object OF the League OF the Gold
en- Pen. as explained by its founder,
Rev. 4. III. 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 I'm 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.. B~ington says: "a letter Is
the only approach to people that is sure
OF welcome. A call may be an inter-
ruption; a 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
be who gives It.
Write to my 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 a
paper? Take down your pen and write
note of thanksgiving. If we thanked
orr rulers more for their brave Gets
and criticised them less for their err
In e.
golden pen more often than the porcu-
pine quill. 1t 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
IL before us. We may need an introduc-
ton to speak to people. but we need
none 70 write them letters ef praise.
Take any morning the daily paper, Sc
leSt soma person whose noble or COM
msndaple desd or whose wise words
are there recorded and write him an
sxpression OF appreciation, whether he
be ruler. a millionsire. a pauper or a
tcriminal whether In this land or some
other. Such daily letter would make
you fountain OF Joy and an inspira.
ton, for nothing 20 upiifts to a higher
ana holier life, so quickens the desire
to repeat worthy act, as some appre-
citation OF II.
Indulge, IL you choose, In anony-
nous letters. 1t Ia possible sometimes
to write more freely IL the name is not
to be signed Often. too, an anonymous
letter written with q golden pen thrills
and sustains more than one whose au-
thorship is known have a 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 scme OF these mo name
letters to pastor and other friends.
They ase swester 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 or that love down deep In your
heart that does not ordinarily fow to
the surface and your appreciation OF
all that they have done for you? But
you say that you live at home All the
better. Write your love letter, put n
stamp on Ii, mail II 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 your
In former days those love missives.
laden with endearing expressions, were
frequent. Are there any at all I'm these
daysf When you are apart your epis-
ties are all about the children and other
common interests. Once in awhile skip
these and slip In real love letter.
"Paurs greatest service to the cause
OF Christ was with his letters. So would
1t 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 DOW
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 gol Zen
pen. and You continue in good and reg
ular staNling as long as you write Mt
least one such letter n month. Let the
shut ms and the silent and the timid,
as well as the active and aggressive,
Join our league"