The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1914-11-12
THE TOUCHSTONE.

IHE 1OCCHCIONE.
During the Middle Ages alchemists
sought substance called the philosophers
stone to which were attributed magical
properties. 1t was supposed to have the
power of converting lead, silver, or any of
the baser metals into gold. Although the
search was prolonged and arduous, although
many brilliant men gave their whole lives
to the quest, the stone was not found, nor
is it likely ever to be.
There is touchstone in the moral world,
however, which can be found and which
fulfiIls all expectations. 1t actually trans
mutes the base elements of human nature
into pure gold-and the name of it is love.
When the evangelist sought definition
of God Himself he could do no better than
to name this regal quality. Seeking to
comprehend the divine nature he thought
not Of power, justice, wisdom, cunning,
nor of score of other qualities the world
has held in respect, but of love. "God is
love-" he said. Love among men is but
the reflection of that divine image in which
we are fashioned, trace of the presence
of Him who is father of our spirits.
1t takes but half an eye to see that
naught but love will ever make of this
world a real brotherhood. Nothing else
will ever cause men to live together in
peace and harmony. Selfishness is the
essence antisocial, the principle leading to
isolation. 1t drives men into warning camps.
Love is in essence the social quality, the
principle leading to association and broth
erhood. The absence of love would mean
for the race retreat back into barbarism,
while the presence of it helps to make this
earth an Eden like the heaven above.
The jealousy, bitterness and discomfort
of life pass away when love enters the field.
You can do great many things under its
inspiration that before we're 80 hard as to
be practically impossible. A profound
principle is wrapped up in very simple
stanza:
met slender little maid, rosy burden bearing
SIS it not heavy, dear?' said as past me she was
hurrying.
She looked at me with grave, sweet eyes, this
fragile little mother,
And answered as in swift surprise: "Oh, no, sir,
it's my BROTHER
It is not hard to serve those we love.
Affection eases every burden and trans
forms duty into delight.
The law of love is the sole condition of an
abiding social order. Under its sway the
employer will not grind down his employees
nor the man at the bench cheat the man
who hires him. In our own sincere desire
for our neighbours welfare we will neither
Cypress, rob nor Witty him; and he vii
mete out to Us the same kindly treatment
Love is MOTTO be identified with any mere
sentiment, within or passion. 1t may in.
clude these things at times, but always
infinitely more than any of them. To love
our neighbor does not imply that we mus
cherish for him tender passion, find hin
at all times congenial comrade, share the
same pleasures or think the same thoughts
No one is commanded to change his native
tastes. Love is the sincere desire ane
purpose first, last, and all the time to seel
the welfare of those about US, nor is Their,
any other force named among men tina
will ever subdue our meanness, eradicat.
our selfishness, and bring about the ag,
of gold.