The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-27
GENUINE VACATION IS
DOING AS WE CHOOSE
BY MRS. SAMUEL WILL JOHN.

rich, fashionable world never entirely
abandons full dress. but it does not keep
quite such late hours. The over-worlzed
class takes perhaps, week off in the
country camping, with fishing and boat
ing as restful pleasures.
The real vacation comes to those who
lose all thought of time and care. While
half of the civilized world lives by the
clock, 1t is not an evidence of moral in
capacity that it longs to escape from
Times clutches. To get from under this
tyranny of hours, brings refreshment IN
calculable to mind and body. Far out
in the woods with the blue sky above,
the scenery of hill and dole around, the
songs of the birds drown the bell steam
whistle and the din strife of the city.
The spirit becomes enriched to claim kim
ship with the poets. Time, hid far away
marches forward only by the shadows on
the grass or rosy fingers on the cloud to
take us back to labor, but, with the lib
Grated spirit from communion with God $
creations, we take up the burden.
While the good housewives are away
from the daily, monotonous duties, the
husbands are left alone to keep the burg
lars out of the homes. Now Is the time
for the old bachelors to have their novi-
with their married ehums. The midnight
sermons of chow wives should be trained
oft float around, and the grand finale Is
that the old, bachelors would improve on
Moliere' s-"School for Husband s"-if they
only had chance. Anyway, so aeeus-
, toned are they to the pressure of con-
yentionality, the many dents made by
izing a rest with married friends gives
than a 0banpa IN the gDbproify
of nature.
If the wives keep away long enough
many indentures are worked off. Even
the idosyn crasies are well aired. and
new ideas are allowed to sprout Many
of us have always had an honest liking
for old bachelors, provided they were moi
"Sgauarelles." If women could have some
of the guidance that "Ariste' gave Leo
nor, there would be many more faithful
wives. So, old bachelors, there Is a
chance for perfect wives
Vacation has Its end, but that which
| ever lives in the hearts of mankind is the
| home.
| AS there are many minds, so as many
conceptions of home. We all may have
| ideals If never realzatiQns. A home Is
| understood to be a dwelling place, where
persons live their natural lives in natura
colors. 1t presents variety of character
it cannot be monotone. All should com
bine to produce harmony, the union OF
minds and hearts, making 1t a blasting.
The home which will ever live in his
| tory as typical of heaven, was the one al
| Bethany, with which Jesus was con
neeted 1t will shine down the ages with
| mellow and beautiful radiance. It's
occupants seem to have been neither
| rich or poor; were able, no doubt, through
, self-denial to give generously to charity
The atmosphere being deeply religious
attracted and held our Lord. We find
| there both the practical and emotional ma
lures, generous in hospitality, beautfyins
their gifts with sympathy; uniting serv-
ice with love. Each presence was 9
benediction and an inspiration.
Mansions display the layishment OF
wealth in art and genius; but the home
must be made by the spirit, the union OF
interests and sympathies perfected by the
ever-abiding presence of the Great Build
er. Neither husband nor wife can make
! a home alone. All the money of the hus-
band, or wife's buying cannot produce
soul, the light of the home.
This Unborn spirit must come from
God; its cultivation from man. Bare walls
may be adorned by the spirit of the
saint, that which costly art could not
furnish. Many men and many women
can have palaces. but sad to relate. COM
paratively few have homes The humblest
cottages furnishings true faith and
sweet spirit, may be the envy of the
man of gold That which will guide man.
kind to peace and home, is the loving
heart that warns the world. No monu-
ment will ever be as enduring as the
story of Mary's. spikenard for the Rab-
bone. 1t has been told to every great
nation on the earth as a Memorial for
Her" The fragrance of her loving deed
is still filing human lives all over the
world.
| The tragedy of the week ago has cloud.
ed the sky of so many lives, sent tor.
rents of grief into so many homes and
hearts. that the nation of people should
concern itself in wping out forever the
! prolific causes of these broken ruined
| lives.
Crime. the great monster that knaws
the vitals of man, the allurer to quick.
money, to luxurious living, knocks at toe
| many doors, and like THE Song of the
Brook" but alas such different conse.
| quences. Men may come and men ma,
go, but ] go on forever, and forever .
Ine flow Of the brook scatters love, laugh.
ter and joy, while crime murders fathers
mothers, sisters and brothers.
Would that the spirit of this American
J republic could be akin to that of Moses
| when he said: Would that the Lord
would put his spirit upon It,"
I