The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-21
THE OPTIMISTPAGE:A SYMPOSIUMO FSYMPATHY

WV '
seeks the abode Of suffering distributing
that balm so soothing to her own breast
Il know God hears
The sobs In the dark
And the dropping of tears"
It is a comfort to hear Il sympa-
thize," life TO hear Il know God hearst"
The duty OF sympathy. l take It. does
not end with mailing perfumed card
TO your bereaved friend. The better part
is to seek the home with the closed
shutters" with your tribute OF kindly
words Of comfort to those who weep
We may lack the price Of lnfes.- roses and
orchids. tied with costly ribbon, but we
can wreathe garland OF Rosemary.
that's for remembrance" you know. for
Poor indeed thou must be. II around
thee
Thou no ray Of light and JOY csnst throw,
II no silken cord Of love hath bound thee
To some little world. thro' veal and woe;
If no dear eyes thy fond love can
brighten,
II no brothers sorrow thou canst tighten
BY daily sympathy and gentle tone"
Mrs. H. b. HoLLFIELD.
The world is made better in proper
ton as the hearts Of men become filled
with the spirit of the Golden Rule
Christianity awakens the soul to the
great God-given duty OF eliminating self.
and putting in practice sympathetic help
fulness which extends beyond the narrow
circle Of chosen friends, discriminating
neither against creed, color, nor con-
dttion. carrying no special favors on ac-
count Of lineage or the gilded wall of the
rich.
But hard by the mountain side Il finds
its way 20 some lonely hut. where dwell
the lowly and unloved, and enters with
warm and tender heart. By the efficacy
OF its influence the dOwncast souls are
made to look up and see the rising sun
OF hope scattering the gloomy clouds OF
despair. The dingy hut is frightened ard
made more cheerful by the stimulating
tonic" OF practical sympathy.
HENSON B. HICKS.
We speak OF the duty OF sympathy
Surely It is one OF our duties that should
never be neglected.
How great IS It's power and helpfulness.
II incites US TO greater effort and imbues
us with the most uplifting thoughts. The
congenial one who holds out the hand OF
, sympathy when we are in distress or we
are facing a momentious question and
know not which way to decide. How it
sustains and encourages One-that look
and touch OF sympathy.
/ recall an incident in the life Of a
minister which illustrates its comfort and
power:
I Early In his ministry he was called in
70 see young girl who had been bereft
Of her father by a sudden and terrible
I accident
She was pacing the floor crying and
sobbing, and no words OF his arrested
her He could not gain her attention.
He spoke with earnestness and sincerity
/ without effect Suddenly a young girl
/ appeared at the door. She ran up 10 the
bereaved one, put her arms around her.
and said "Oh, how sorry 1 am for you.
know what you suffer for 1 also have
/ lost my father" I also have lost my
father Here was one who had suffered
/ one who understood. Gradually the sobs
/ ceased. the tears were dried. She was
/ conforted-the power Of sympathy.
/ How grateful we are for the friends who
understand and who do not withhold that
I sympathy Let US be more considerate.
more helpful those who need our SYM
/ PATTY HELEN AUGUSTA CoLHoUN.
The duty Of sympathy is one Of the
| highest privileges that comes TO us. To
help. 10 comfort. TO cherish. 10 look with
the intimate eyes Of friendship into the
life Of another and rejoice in his soy and
sorrow In HIS sorrow. Is not only to i'm
part but 10 receive strength. II is a
/ happiness 10 bring a little sunlight into
| the lives OF others. to bid them. when the
way Is dark and their strength is wan
ing to look up and see the star Of hope
/ shining in the distance. For US 1t some
times means hourly sacrifice, but surely
1t is worth while. for we are growing
stronger. more adaptable. more chart
table. and catching glimpses OF the part
we should play in the great brother
hood Of man. NJ 7 MOOR.
4 Unspoken words. like treasures in the
mine,
Are valueless until we give them birth;
Like unbound gold their hidden treasures
| shine
Which God has made to bless and slid
| the earth.
How sad 'twould be to see a Master
hand
Strike glorious notes upon a voiceless
Lutte
But oh, what pain when, at Gods own
command.
A heart string thrills with kindness
but is mutey
Then, hide It not. the music Of the soul
Dear sympathy. expressed with kindly
voice;
But let it, like shining river, roll
To deserts dry-to hearts that would
rejoice.
Oh. let the sympathy Of kindly words
Sound for the poor, the friendless. and
the weak!
And He will bless you; He who struck
these chords
VIII strike another when in turn you
seek. W. n. REED.