The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-08-10
BY DADDY jim

And as I sit still and think of this interesting
subject, a concomitant of the thought ex-
pressed above wildly presents itself to me: If
these lnanimate creations of only element,
matter, have mission to fulfill during their short
and simple existence why have not we, who are
created or three elements, matter, mind and SOUL
created in His own image just little lower than
the angels On high, although crippled, deformed
and incapacitated?
Can it be that loving merciful and just God
gives to His lower creations pre-eminence His
higher Creations because the higher ones happen
to be distorted and disabled from causes beyond
direct control? Can it be true that gnarled but
live tree may lend it's share Of fragrance to the
air, and that deformed human may not lend
his share of good to humanity and to God? Such
would be the condition were it true that the
cripples have mission other than to suffer pain
embarrassment and ofttimes social osaracisin. But
thanks to the Almighty, such is not true!
Today l happily celebrate my twentieth birth
day. l gladly leave behind me my childhood my
boyhOod, my youthhood and am more than willing
to take up the duties and burdens of manhood a
year earlier than even the laws Of my state would
allow. Why am I willing and anxious to do such?
Because feel from the depths Of my inmost soul
that have mission in this life; that 1 have a
particular work to do, and that my ambition, it
would seem, is calling and pleading with me
to do that which believe God would have me to
do AS it is with me, it is with every cripple
or invalid, who has life enough and energy enough
and ambition enough to realize that he is not a
nil (by the will of Cod in this world of people
may be mistaken when I say there is no one
so badly afflicted but that he do something.
But when I read in history of the great and noble
men, who blind crippled, defOrmed and helpless
1nvalids, and who now, Notwithstanding all these
handicaps worked diligently and faithfully to do
good and to leave to the succeeding generations
their names and works as imperishabe gifts of
God, presented through the hands of man, I am
constrained to make my assertion even stronger
and broader. I sometimes feel if 1 should be
correct were to say that the afflicted, physically,
can do more than the strong.
However, 1 shall not make this assertion but
Oh a hot cn11oO Of thoC o+oo4 hat
ties ever fought have been fought by the af-
hicted, and some of the greatest victories ever
won have been won by them. I can say this much
and can adduce history to prove it.
Because denied the use of my lower limbs
for walking and the use Of my left arm, it is not
sensible or reasonable for any person to say
think that my physical condition, bad it is, will
forever prevent me from supporting myself and
helping others in this world. God puts no one
here to live purposeless and a parasite. He
has something for all to do, and with that be-
lief in mind will put forth every effort that will
tend to transform my unfortunate condition into
one whose end will eventually be blessing.
For instance, Tom LOckhart use no part of
his body save the thumb and forefnger of the
right hand; the sight of eye is entirely gone
that Of the other very nearly so; his joints are
stffened and ossifed; he has lain in one position
more than a quarter of century, during which
time his body has become like a stone static. Yet
this hero of heavenly patience supports himself
and nurse by laboriously and painfully scribbling
few lines daily, everyone of Which contains a
message fraught with the WOndrOus and infinite
love of suffering, co1secrated Christian. He not
only provides for himself but makes thousands
who read his writings happier and more cheer
full, thankful and more thoughtful. He has a
missiOni He is fulfilling it, too!
And the beautiful part of his history is that
there are hundreds, similarly and sorely afflicted
who aer daily proving that they have work to do
and that they equal to the task of doing it,
Yes; we have work TO do. And naughty and
heartess and most times dull, is he who says that
we are the dross of humanity. For most times
we are the purest and the most priceless possess
ions of Him who, while on earth, gracously knelt