Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
No Matter

How willing we might be to sacrifice our
selves for the sake of others. the opportu-
mites to do the great, the heroic. things do
not come often. But we always can try TO
be cheerful and encouraging. and to keep
ourselves from useless complaints of others
faults and when we see our opportunity,
perhaps can give a word of praise.
Who can say just how much that little
word of praise may mean to some one VINO
has been striving hard over difficult task
that has worried him and that he Is glad to
have finished, how it will add to his salts
faction in the work he has completed. and
what a long way it will go to repay MIN
for having put the best that was in him
into his labor?
OF lust and helpful criticisms we are
glad Without them there wouids be little
chance of improvement. Instinctively we
feel their value 1t Is not these that wear
one out and take away ones joy In work.
But it is the feeling that no matter now
well we may do there possibly may De
something we have overlooked Tor wnlch
we shall be brought sharply to account.
All of rs have enough of the serious trou-
bles in life And where we can even IN
the smallest degree make those around US
more hopeful and contented by our pres
ence it is more than worth while TO make
1t is Not Hypocrisy
But Christian courtesy to give a kindly
greeting to the unwelcome guest who, per-
haps. is doing her duty in making the visit
with which we could dispense. And II we
assume an interest even the dullest talker
may reward our attention and give US FOOD
for thought
I'm pretending and their inventing is ever
fertile They make a world for themselves
and supply their own creations TO some
grown up consciences, unduiy sensitive per
hans ali these diversions seem to trouble
the clear waters of that deep well in which
truth makes her abode. And in order TO
Induce adhesion to the noblest or virtues
they would repress everything that Is NOT
as rigidly exact as the multiplication taDie
The make believe of childhood is not I'M
truthfulness. 1t is the gloriously happy
faculty of transmitting dull ore into pure
gold. of seeing beauty where none exists
for duller vision. and best Of all. of Great
ing state of contentment with ones sur
roundings.
BY and by all this is given up but too
readily, for the right sort of make believe
is a plant which should blossom in every
house garden.
When we are i'll. or tired. or cross 1T does
good to our own souls and certainly adds
to the comfort of others IL We have cour-
age enough to repress the disagreeable and
play we are happier and more amiable than
we really feel So with visitors. SO with
the solitude of our own individual selves
Assume a virtue II you have 1t not, HAM
let counseled his mother
If We Vex-
"Our own our own also are quick to vex
u.s. We are prone to have great liberation
for ourselves. to be tender when Judging
our remissness. while we are severe on the
misdoing of others. Yet to be fair we must
in, thl 70 i1U arc
oftener rubbed the wrong way than in so
ciety. Those whom we meet every day in
reciprocal relationship are apt to try us as
those do not whom we meet only OCCASION
ally and in a ceremonious fashion.
1t might be we'll for us to wear as pre-
caution, against hurts the chain armor in
visible, but strong as twisted steel, OF
fine, invincible politeness.
Think before you speak is a bit of wisdom
most of us were taught in the nursery.
Half the mischief in the home world grows
out of hasty. impulsive speech.
Yet, on the other hand. there is a terrible
weapon OF silence which. welded by our
next of kin. is a Damascus blade. Who
does not dread the injured look on dear
ones face. The lips act like mask, the
etrable fog: the kiss received like a frozen
dewdrop. Better the sudden gust of fury
than this dull and chilling resentment.
In more ways than one We can cultivate
patience and amiablity toward our next of
kin. For do love them dearly. They
are life of our life.
We Know
How men and women acquire by degrees
and without conscious endeavor what may
be styled the professional look in face, ges-
ture. mien. The physicians suavity. the
clergyman's urbanity. the merchants brisk
ness. indicate without words the character
and discipline each has undergone. The