Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-02-16
LEAGUE OF TIE GOLDEN PEN
REV. r.. n. ByimGt0n. IT'S Founder, Ex.
n1afna It's Object,

ateVs u. III ByIu8VOus uuS TOuuOcT, fN.
plains It's object.
The object of the League Of the Gold
en- Pen, as explained by its founder
Rev. T.. II. 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 tho spirit OF
Christ TO give gladness. comfort. co,in
| sci. inspiration. to others. When such
are written the spirit ~ the writer
transnutes 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
engerly the crisscrossed and illegible
postscripts. 1t Is the cup Of cold water
often to the thirsty SOUL and blessed Is
he who Eivss 1t.
Write to any one who has served
you we'll Have you been enjoying
some beautiful music or work of art.
some suggestive address. some choice
contribution or stirring editorial in q
paper: Take down your pen and write
Il note Of thanksgiving II we thanked
our rulers more for their brave acts
and criticised them less for their or
rors. if In writing 10 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 all ntroduc-
ton TO speak to people. but we need
none to write them letters Of praise
Take any morning the daily paper Sc
lcct some person whose noble or com
mendablc deed or whose wise words
are there recorded and write him an
expression Of appreciation, whether he
he n ruler. n millionaire. a pauper or a
criminal. whether In this land or some
other. such n daily letter would make
You a fountain Of Joy and an inspira-
ton. for nothing 81 uplfts TO a higher
to repeat worthy act. rs 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 a golden pen thrills
, and sustains moro than ono whose ~,
: thorship Is known. I have splendid
antidotc for depression in an anony
nous letter of appreciation written tc
, me by some member Of my congrega
ton. Every member Of thin league
ought to write some Of these mo name
letters 10 pastor and other friends
They are sweeter than honey and tho
honeycomb when written with the gold
en- pen.
"And the love letters. How long since
you have written real love letter t.
, your mother to your father-not simpl.
those about your health. with inquiries
, about theirs. but telling as best 20.
! can Of that love down deep in you
heart that does not ordinarily flow T.
t the surface and your appreciation o.
, all that they have done for you? Blu
: you say that you live at home. All thu
: better. Write your love letter. put q
stamp on IL. mail II and keep out OF
sight when it Is delivered and read
? Then note that new radiance in youl
T mothers eye and feel in the gentle
, pressure of her hand and the touch o
the good night kiss an unspeaknbl'
g!ndncss.
"Husbands and wives. what Of YOU
Q In former days those love misslves
Il laden with endearing expressions. wer
e frequent. Are there any at all in thes
g days? When you are apart your cpis
e ties are all about the children and othe
It common interests. Once In awhile ski
u these and slip in n real love letter.
t "Paurs greatest service to the caus
- of Christ was with his letters. So woul
n 1t he with many Of you who never trie
e it. 1t is time to take your golden pc
= out Of the napkin. and some Of yo
r have two and even five there infoldet
These things should not he. The pow
or Of the spoken word. the value @
printers ink. have been much emphf
J. sized. 1t Is time to realize the inf'
r. ence OF the golden pen.
y The League Of the Golden Pen la
10 no officers no committees. no bylaw:
L. no dues. only members. You initial
d yourself into membership when 70
u write your first letter with the golde
y pen. and you continue in good and res
IL ular standing rs long rs yon write
!! least one such letter month. Let I'll
;! shut ms and the silent and the tilni,
'e as we'll as the active and agsre ssiv'
d join our league.
IA