The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-05
LETTERS THAT COUNT.
How Christians Can Brighten lives by
Sending Messages of Cheer.

How Christians Can Brighten Lives by
Sending Messages of Cheer.
Commenting on a recent topic of the
Christian Endeavor society, writer
in the Washington Star said in part:
In large American city there Is a
pastor of a leading church who has
built up his congregation as much by
letter writing as by the making of
personal calls.
For years it has been his habit on
Sunday evenings after the days work
is done to make note of all the people
of whom he has heard during the day
to whom letters might do good. OF
course the names of the sick go down
on the list as well as those who have
recovered from sickness, those who
have returned from a journey and
those who are about to leave home,
those who are going to college or par
ents who have heard good news from
a son or daughter at college-in fact,
every one into whose life has come
some event of special Importance.
Then Just as soon as possible letter
is sent to each one of them with an
appropriate word of sympathy, con-
graduation, cheer or good wishes.
The pastor keeps a complete record
of all the important dates In the lives
of his people-birthday wedding an
niversaries, etc.-and he marks each
of them by sending a short letter of
remem brance.
linen, as II THIS WAS hot enough
when he hears from acquaintance
during the week of sickness or death
in a family with which he is acquaint-
ed, whether in his own town or in dis
tant parts of America or even in for
eign countries, he seizes the chance to
write a letter. In fact, 1t is the rule of
his life to send each day at least one
letter of cheer to some one who Is in
special need. 1t may be word of
congratulation to one whose election
h {c Y.A &nd in
the morning paper or line of greeting
to one who has come to the city to en-
ter upon a new position. But, which
ever it is, that letter is sent before the
day is done.
Of course the spirit of kindness
which prompts these letters is shown
in all the routine letters he writes.
There is a charm about every one of
them that reveals the personality OF
the writer. Perhaps it is only the ad-
dition of a few words or the turn of
a single phrase, but it is enough to
make the letter distinctive and well
come, In thousands of homes his let
ters are treasured just because of
these touches.
letter writer's. There is room for
scores and hundreds of them in every
citv and town. Why shrou1d a busy
pastor be given monopoly of writing
helpful letters? Why may not the
keeping track of the birthdays of his
friends, sending congratulations to a
father whose son is Distinguishing
himself in the public service, sympa-
thizing with a business associate who
has lost a valuable employee. greeting
an acquaintance on his return from
Europe, congratulating father or a
mother on the coming of child to
the home?
There are people who receive few
1etters-the aged, those who are shut
inn because of illness and many 9TH
ers, to whom the receipt of a letter is
an event. There are Christians who
make it a point to secure the names of
such people that they may brighten
their lives by sending to them mes
| sage of cheer. A young woman not
| far from Philadelphia makes 1t habit
| to write to other young women whose
| her grief at the loss of her own moth
| err makes her heart very tender to
other mourners.
| The opportunities of helping by
careful letter writing are numberless.
The Christian who is on the lookout
| for chances of helping in this way will
not have far to seek.