The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1909-01-15


rS~~ r~ - -~~war W. 'nss ~ssss ' 1NS1|Sfv IN.
Going through sn old attic one day
scrap NJ paper fell from long,
closed box. left IN the attic ny young
girl nfteen years before Its discovery
On this scrap of paper had been
written.
with the help VI God, promise 10
say nothing against any human being
80 long as live
The girls name was signed and the
date wss attached.
just few months previously I had
seen the writer Of the little self-made
pledge; and looking upon her lovely
face I had marveled that time, the
asowed enemy OF youth and beauty,
had left her just as fair and young as
she was 10 her fresh gIflhood
The tell.tale scrap Of paper seemed
to explain the mystery Of her peren-
Mai charms.
Surely the soul that carried such a
resolve from day to day and year 10
year, looking always TO the Great
Light, which we call God, for help TO
sustain the resolve, must be reser-
voir OF beauty and eternal youth, and
each pulsation Of such heart must
send new charm and attraction To the
whole personality.
A DIFFICULT RESOLVE TO KEEP.
l do not knew II the young woman
has been able to keep her difficult re-
solve TO the letter; but that she felt
the necessity OF making the effort 10
this critical and fault-seeking world,
aud OF forming such a compact with
herself, speaks volumes 10 her praise.
l said difficult resolve; for, indeed,
such resolution calls for greater
strength and poise than many deed
OF valor and daring. Hundreds Of
people might be found among our ac-
qusintances who would be brave and
forgetful OF self 10 time OF fire, or
food, or shipwreck, or railroad dis
aster; people who would give
their all to succor and aid a stranger
or an enemy who was 10 dire need.
But how few OF these hundreds
could be counted on to say no unkind,
critical or de.ogatory word Of any
living being!
How few, indeed, could be found
who would refrain from criticism OF
their personal frlendsl
How few OF us ever think of the
need of such q resolve as this young
girl madei
Take any bevy OF people who sit to-
gether for social evening and listen
70 the conversation. No matter
whether they belong to the lower,
middle or upper" classes Of society,
you will flnd that the faults and mis-
deeds Of the absent occupy a large
share OF the hour given to social com
panionship.
WATCH YOUR TONGUE FOR ONE DAY.
Yet before you condemn the critics
lend an ear TO your own conversation
for one entire day. Possibly, and
probably, you do not realize how
many unnecessary comments you
make upon the people OF your &C.
Quaintance; comments which in nc
way help them, or you, TO a higher
standard OF living; comments which
you would not make 10 their presence
| And yet you would be offended ant
indignant II one were to question
your loyal friendship for these people
You would defend them from calumny
you would aid them 10 time 0f need
you would rejoice with them 10 40.
happiness which came 70 their lot; bu
you nnd II almost impossible 10 keel
silent regarding their faults, weak
!. uesses or errors.
! You would feel yourself deprive,
of.a privilege " the pleasures Of criti
! cism we're denied you.
"What topic OF discussion Is left Il
~ II We do not talk about people?
bright woman once asked.
And Indeed, when we undertake I.
drop criticism from The social hour
We dn0 how large part Of our enter
ltalnment IL derived therefrom.
Some critIcisms are harmless; some
times they are beneficial, giving th
listener new light upon human con
duct and leaving him with new ideals
for he hears the fault which he him
l sclf possesses, without knowing II u
be q fault, criticised 10 another. sh
sent and he Il moved 10 self.improve
, mept.
CRITICISM THAT 70 BENEYICIAL.
A Criticism Hour formed one Of th
features of The Oneida community
|, | and an Individual who bad any Wor
! ltp ssy regardiug another WAS expecte
!, 70 say II 10 ibis hour and 70 the pre-
I sncs Of the offender, or else " foreva
|. bold his peace. And he Who was cfii
]. icIssd must llstsn ara With bGmiliI