The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-18
WISDOM OF KINDNESS.

Kindness and kinship are, among words,
blood brothers, though to-day. perhaps,
through the very popularity OF the
Shakespearesn phrase. "A little more than
kin and less than kind" We have come
10 divorce the two words in our minds.
From the earliest times the usefulness
Of kindness as a social force has been
recognized and dwelt upon by the phios-
ophers. It was one Of the main tenets Of
faith OF the ancient Hebrew writer's, and
the pre-Christian pagan Marcus Aurelius
Antonius told the world OF his day that
Man is made TO be kind and oblige
And. therefore. when he does a good
office and proves serviceable 10 the world
he has fulfilled the end of his being and
attains his own reward"
In his philosophy il was kindness, not
virtue. that IS its own reward Bailey,
in his "Festus." tells US
Kindness is wisdom. There is none in life
But needs it ard may learn"
No divine attribute emanating direct
from God is better reflected in the human
heart than this of kindness. Almost
His last words were an admonition TO
kindness; His last commandment, the one
on which He said. Hang all the law and
the prophets was the simple Injunction,
Love one another" phrase that con-
tains the whole gospel q kindness.
II man cultivate carefully this God
Ike quality of kindness. he goes through
life scattering joy and sunshine and hope
full thoughts. Envy hatred, malice, and
all uneharitableness are not for the man
whose attitude toward life and his fei-
low-men is a kind one
Kindness 10 ones equal in life, kind
ness 10 ones superior in. station. is often
tinctured, perhaps. with little doubt
even in mans own soul-of how far he
is moved thereto by self-interest. II is
therefore the kindnesses that We bestow
on those below US in station, TO the mis-
cradle and wretched, TO those who really
need help and sympathy, that does the
greatest good TO the world at large, and
which, reflected. sheds a radiance on our
souls. 1t was this thought that Dean
Farrar expressed when he wrote
"A richer recompense awaits the kind
ness bestowed upon the poor than the
adulatory entertainment of the friendly
and the rich. In receiving friends and
relatives, do not forget the HELPLESS ana
HflicIed- Interested beneficence is Moth
Ing in the world but deceltful selfish
ness. Luxury, ostentation, the hope of
return. are not the true principles or
hospitality"
But kindness does not by any means
consist in rich giving. Il may be mag
nihcent thing, in some eyes. 10 donate
libraries that cost enormous sums. but If
the donor sacrifices nothing in his gift
gives ostentatiously and out Of a burden
some abundance-lt in no way resembles
real kindness. Such gifts cannot weigh
a moment in the scale against the kind
word aptly spoken by one whose own
heart is heavy within him. but who yet
has kinship enough to feel for another's
sorrow.
The kindness that costs us something:
which leads US into the bypaths of the
world 20 seek out the distressed. 10 COM
fort the fallen; succor the poor; 10 bring
joy TO the weary-laden; to spend the best
that is within US for the service of others
this is TO worship God through kindness
and with all our heart and soul. Such
hndness-such kinship with the human
brotherhood is worth all the ritual of lp-
prayers ever uttered. Says Kingsley.
Every time we perform an act Of
Kindness 10 any human being ave. even
To a dumb animal. we are indeed wor-
Shipping God. by whose Spirit all good
deeds and all good thoughts are in
spired."
And-above all-no unkindness! Life is
so short that there is no time for misun-
derstandngs' or hurts. Let the heart
often dominate the intellect. Believe in
the right, even though oft deceived. and
know in your soul that if you have felt
the tender love OF even one kindred spirit
you have a most potent armor against
all the powers of Ill.
II IS all summed up so simply and
clear by Christ in His Love one an
other" That means everything, for
love is
All alteration. duty and observance.
All humbleness, all patience and imratience.
All purity. all trial.
as Shakespeare said. Sir Walter Scott
though. summed it up in his Lay OF the
Last Minstrel"
True loves the gift which God hath given
To man alone beneath the heaven;
IL is not fantasy hot FIRE,
Whose wishes soon as granted die
II is the secret sympathy,
The silver link. the silksn tie.
Which heart 10 heart and mind 10 mind,
In body and in soul bind"
Arizona is showing its absolute fitness
for Statehood. II has determined to have
the initiative and referendum. and the
Democrats are 10 write its constitution.
Some girls in Philadelphia, caught