The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-01-16
BOTH TOLL AND REST NEEDED.
The TWO SIDES TO LIFE.
Unbend the Bow.
christian Guardian.)

deal about work; perhaps 1T is just as
well to look at the other side. 1t is
a necessity that men learn how to
work, and that they practice all they
know, but It is just as necessary to
true success that we learn to rest.
In the great struggle of life the bow
must be bent, and the string must
keep twanging as the arrows Seek
their mark; hit if hat bow is to re-
tain it's power it must learn to ,un-
bend. Leisure is not merely lux
ury; it is a necessity to highest hu-
man development.
All nature rests. The mighty alba
tross sleeps on the swinging waves.
The wakeful deer, if denied his need
ed sleep, is run down by the un-
mounted hunter. The very surges
of the sea seem to sleep at times,
and the restful winds do not always
blow. Even the human heart, for
hidden sleep, yet beats less often in
its hours of rest.
The hours of hushed activity are
hours of blessed meaning to men.
The voice of wisdom echoes its words
of long ago: Come ye aside, and
rest awhile" Even the highest toll
and loftiest endeavor are subject to
this law. Now, we are not pleading
for a slower pace, for that is not in
our control; but we are pleading for
that regular and frequent unbend-
ing of the bow, which is within our
power.
The mother must cease to be a
mother for an hour Or two and she
will be better mother afterwards.
The busy man, with a thousand irons
in the fire, must forget both fire and
irons for a while, and he will return
to them with added strength. Rest
a while!
But some one says: 81 can not
rest. Business cares, family cares,
social worries surround me, even in
sleep" 1t may be we have forgot
ten how to rest, but we will have to
learn. Somewhere, in our rooms,
oy lakeside or quiet streams, where
the ripe grain waits the reaper, or
where the woody silences are full Of
magic cures for cares, somewhere,
We should drop our burdens, and
ose our wearied, overburdened
selves.
Rest hours are never wasted. The
lays we forget may be more fruitful
han the days we toll. Let US out
grow our hurry. One would judge
by our strenuous earn
that the very world depend
I'd upon that song, or speech, or let
,er. 1t is not SO. We are not as big
IS we think we are; and our labor is
lot just as important as we deem it.
The world does not stop even when
is greatest die. The sun will not
lease to shine even if we should cease
% toll. Let us learn our true pace
n nature; let US learn to do our
work; let US learn also to unbend the
DOW. We are not speaking now Of
yacation quiet, or Of lengthy periods
If inactivity, but the regular un-
;tringing of the bow.
Sometimes such an unbending
comes with a good story and a hearty
augh. There is often real helpful
less in a good laugh. 1t clears the
air; it relieves the tension; 1t length
ms life. Only last week a good
brother told US of the help he got
rom that despised column of our
PAPER called "Wise and Otherwise"
70 some a comical story is a thing
% be despised. Probably their sense
If humor is still in the rudimentary
stage. But in these busy times there
seems no doubt that there is healing
medicine in every CLEAN of pure and
genuine humor.
Sometimes we need simply social
,hat. It is strange how nervous ten
sion relaxes when one talks freely
With friends. 1t is true there are
companions whose presence is a
strain; we do not refer to those but
% those others, often of the light
hearted, merry type, whose presence
S a nerve tonic. Such companion
ships mean real rest.
Sometimes book, even a useless
book, will give the needed rest. A
book that is foolish, that is, one we
almost despise, may sometimes be
the one which will best relieve the
strain. Well for US to understand
The need and the cure.
Then, sometimes, perhaps oftenest,
it is best to get alone somewhere and
L L.