The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-10-07
CARING ABOUT PEOPLE.


written on the passing of a good man
in distant city few weeks ago. The
phrase is simple one but it touches greater
DEPTHS than the brilliant oratory Of many
well prepared eulogies. 1t speaks to the
heart and places before the mind more
perfect understanding Of the life it memo
riaizes than perhaps catalogue OF virtues
could have done. There are, in fact, not
MANY persons who really care about peo-
pie. We are, as rule, SO much engaged
with our own affairs and SO busy working
into them an exaggerated Importance that
we do not always find it convenient to IN
terest ourselves in the needs Of others.
Most Of US evidence only spasmodlc con-
Germ for the welfare of society at large.
Our interest is aroused in this or that case
and on the spur of the moment we commit
ourselves to some worthy action and then
possibly forget all about it. Or perhaps
we do interest ourselves in substantial
way and try to show that we "care about
people' enough to serve them IN some
special crisis, but the newly awakened
sense of responsibility does not always re-
main with US long and while the intention
may be good its worthy accomplishment
seldom follows. We care about people in
way naturally, but generally only to the
extent of unsupported sympathy. Weread
of the miserable conditions in which some
persons are forced to live and We say how
sorry we are that such conditions must eX-
list: we see sorrow and suffering all about
US and we sympathize deeply, in spirit.
Sympathy is good thing in Its place and
there is always place for it out there is
place, too, for more practical ASSISTANCE
than the mere expression of sympathy, and
it is Just in this way that We are able to
show the sincerity of our interest in those
who are less fortunately circumstanced
than we are.
AS a rule we confuse our ideas as to the
best manner in which we can care for those
in distress and help them into better con-
dtion. Financial assistance is necessary,
Of course, for without adequate means
there are certain conditions which could
never be improved. At the same time,
money is not the only factor in the solution
of the great problem of tightening the
woes of suffering humanity. There are so
many other ways by which we can show
our interest in our unfortunate fellow be-
ings, and thereby feel that we have been
of some use in this world, that the wonder
is we do not avail ourselves OF them more
frequently and with greater zeal.
''He cared about others continues the
appreciation Of the Christian man who has
gone. "No hour was too late, no weather
too bad, nor was there any thought of race
Or sect if he could help those in need" 1t
takes man with a big heart and strong
will and dauntless courage to shoulder such
responsibilities as these, yet in every walk
of life, in every country in the world, there
are to-day brave men who will put aside
all thought of personal comfort in order to
minister TO their unfortunate fellowmen.
Such men do not question the circumstan-
ces surrounding a case in point, nor do
they consider the creed Or nationality of
those in trouble. 1t is enough that some
one is suffering and that they are in posi-
ton to offer relief to make them show ia
no uncertain way how much they do care.
1t was a wise mother who admonished her
child to remember you are not here for
yourself, alone" and in serving others we
take our first steps toward mastering this
important lesson. Were we placed on this
earth just for our personal pleasure and
profit we would all degenerate into selfish
mercenaries, and it is only because we
realize, even il only at times, that there are
others who look hopefully to Us for relic!
that we are able to adjust the scales evenly
The homeiest service is often the highest
because it is the ordinary tasks of life that
are nearest to nature, not the worldly arti-
fetal achievements which so many persons
rate as vital to their welfare. The great
benefactions of life which thrill the WORLD
are not possible except to few, but as
necessary as they are to the amelioratior
Of certain conditions they are no more i'm.
portant in their way than are the simpler
humber means at the command of the
large majority of persons. We can dc
much for our fellowmen but we must frs
Of all care for them enough to be willing
to sacrifice ourselves for their good. L
may be that the demand that is made upor
US comes when we have made other plans
or when our comfort will be seriously taxec
il we respond, but the man who truly cares
who realizes fully that no trouble is toe
great for the object to be accomplished viii
not allow personal considerations to affec
him when the opportunity for doing gooe
presents itself. To give of our love ane
labor with lavish hands, to feel with other;
heart to heart in their distress, to rise from
one service to another-these are some 0
the ways by which the miracle of caring
about people may be worked.
True greatness does not consist so mucl
in the accomplishments of a work as in tn
motive and purpose which prompts tn
action.