The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-08-14
LOOKING AHEAD.

gether.
LOOKING AHEAD.
In little things we must look ahead
and think of the future. Perhaps the
little deeds of kindness, the loving word,
the sweet smile, or the wrong act, idle
word or angry frown, may not effect our
lives nor the lives of any one else today.
Let US not OILY think of the present, but
looking into the hereafter, see what in
fuence it may have.
1t is in more subtle, and SO to speak,
higher affairs than these that the wisdom
| of looking ahead asserts itself.
When Esau, coming in weary and
spent from the hunting field, sold to the
crafty Jacob, for a mess of pottage, the
| birthright which belonged to the elder
brother, he simply did what hosts OF men
| have been doing ever since He did not
look ahead, but acted on a moments
impulse. For temporary pleasure, an
| apparent present advantage, he bartered
his heaven bestowed right to dignity,
consideration and manhood. And vet
today, many of us to crafty ourselves
| for the present, indulge in some pleasure
which perhaps may be our ruin. 1t is
done without thought for the future.
| In Esau was exemplfled the fatal
weakness which is the besetting danger
OF strength. Not one Of us who forgets
to look ahead when accepting some
compromise with conscience or venturing
into some doubtful path is the least
nobler or wiser than Esau.
| Let US look even farther, yea, beyond
this transient life to the eternity beyond
and, looking above IN thoughtfulness and
PRAYER, prepare ourselves for
The beautiful home over there
Where flowers eternal bloom,
And loved ones watching love so fair.
For others to Join them soon.
Is 1t not remarkable when good books
and papers are so cheap that men and
women read so little, and neglect the
minds that God has given them to i'm
prove1 If we would make our homes
and our home life pure, happy and ele-
waiting, we must seek knowledge on the
various topics that are daily discussed.
Too many girls and boys grow up now
that by the time that they have entered
their teens have cultivated such taste
for trashy, impure literature which is
scattered broadcast over our land, that
anything solid or that would improve
their minds or character is considered
dull and uninteresting.
1t is the work of heaven to make peo-
pie happy. Some of us bask in so much
happiness that we grow to think that we
have a right to happiness and when
trouble comes to US we are IN way de-
frauded There is some truth in the
feeling, for plainly the Lord we love
meant that we should be happy, and
when we are not so it is the fault Of those
who have disobeyed the eternal order of
things, alas ourselves. Opportunities of
making happiness are abundant. Kind |
words, encouraging words, words of
cemmendaton, thanks, little courtesies,
the seat yielded, prelering one another, !
oh, there are SO many little ways all of |
which contribute so much to the happi- |
ness of Others let us make our lives full !
of them and bright with them.
There are so manv people in this great |
world of ours that remind US of fragrant |
flowers. Whenever they draw near, we |
are glad and we know not why. They |
may not possess physical beauty, or
marvellous intelligence, but the embod- |
iment of peace. They inspire US tor
they are full of inspiration of the highest |
order These people are like a quiet |
lake beside which grow tall and beau
tiful plants which. when reflected in the |
water, makes very pleasant picture.
There is no jarring, nor even ripple on
tht. mirror like water The cOlorS of |
the earth and sky harmonic exquisitively. |
Birds sing a soft lullaby into their ears.
The world with Its din is only sweet |
song. They themselves make harmony.
The true home maker is happy COM
bnation of the Martha" and the !,
MARY" sort of women, for while not
troubled about many things" she leaves
none of the essential things undone, and
yet, chooses the better part. and gives
to love the first best place. Her house is
healthfully clean from the cellar to the
attic, but painfully neat nowhere; she is
orderly and sympathetic enough to keep
the machinery running smoothly, and yet
not SO prim that any one is afraid of in
curing reproachful looks or words by
msplacing chair and il books and pa
pers are now and then left scattered
around, one is not told of it the next
morning at the breakfast table. The
meals are all well cooked and served on
time. the beds thoroughly aired every
morning, and sunshine and fresh air
coaxed into the farthest corner of every
room.