The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-06-22
HELPING OR HINDERIG.

1t is easy enough for us to speak of the
influence which another person eXerts
whether it be for good or evil, but are we
inclined to consider seriously the influence
which we in turn exert upon others? We
speak Of the good example which another
man sets and are willing enough to grant
his healthy interest in those around him
and in society in general, but as rule we
are not particularly careful about the kind
of interest which we prompt in others. We
quickly differentiate between good and
bad influence when that influence is d.
rected upon US personally and we cheer
fully accord the proper credit, just as we
vigorously denOunce the inspirer of an un-
worthy influence. 1t is so easy to criticise
what others do and so easy to forget to
scrutnize our own record. We think of
ourselves as occupying a position very
different from that occupied by anyone else,
and accordingly we do not always apply
the same standard Of action to our own
conduct that we do to others. We try to
delude ourselves into the belief that the
. influence we WELD is so small that it really
does not matter very much whether that
influence is healthy or not. Serious re-
Election, however. must show the open
minded person that this is not SO, and that
every man eXertS some influence, however
small, upon his immediate circle at least.
The fact is no one can occupy middle
ground in this regard. We must all either
work good or harm in this world, and whilo
it is possible that because Of our limited
sphere Of usefulness we may not work
either very great or very small good or
harm, still at the same time we do help or
hinder to some degree. If perhaps We
could realize the truth of this assertion and
keep it always before US there are many
opportunities for doing good which we
would avail ourselves of, and many temp
tations for working harm which we would
pass by, which otherwise would not interest
us. We may think that we occupy a mid
die ground, as it were, but in reality unless
we make the effort to help others by our
example we really create bad impression
through our apparent Indifference to their
interests. We may not interest ourselves
actively to work them harm, but the bad
example we set because Of our neglect to
make the most Of our opportunities reacts
in a harmful way when We least expect.
1t is not by our words that we prove our
worth, but by the little acts in our daily
life, the small everyday tasks that we are
called upon to perform, the thousand and
one ways of showing our sincerity of pur
pose and earnestness of determination and
the many opportunities of displaying that
consideration for others without which no
life can be said to be worthy one. 1t is
not hard to 60 out Of the way to do some
one else good turn; the urgency of the
appeal Or the novelty of the deed are
enough to sustain our interest TO the point
of accomplishing definite results. Such
chances are not common enough in oul
lives to make us lose our interest in them
bat the good we accomplish through such
means cannot be said to be fair example
of the real influence we WELD. 1t is no.
through our spasmodic acts of kindness, a.
worthy as they may be in themselves, tina
we are able to mould ourselves into the mer
and women We were intended to become
but rather through the natural course O
events in life. If We cannot find opportun
tiles close at hand, opportunities that pre-
sent themselves in nearly every thing tina
concerns our normal life, to SO conduc
ourselves as to win the merted regard o
those intimately associated with US, we are
making failure Of life, however much we
may seek to excuse ourselves. 1t is easy
enough at times to set a good example
when the good thatwe can do appeals to u
strongly; it is noteasy to live an exemplary
life from day to day regardless of whethe
or not existing conditions make particu
larly striking appeal to US. Yet it is only
by constant attention to the minor matters
of life which arise naturally and which ar,
only to be expected that we are able to Sc
in motion the good influences it is possible
for US to exert. 1t ia a responsibility tina
must be borne by all and it remains witt
US individually whether we care enough
about our moral development in all it's far
reaching possibilities and how we'll we shall
discharge it when it falls upon our should
er5. When we least expect it our moral in
fiuence is reflected upon those about US
and it is proud moment in our lives t.
know that it's effect is stimulating to others
In such circumstances the good influenc,
we are able to exert encourages US to al
even greater effort to be of assistance t.
others and unconsciously in this way to b,
of service to ourselves as we'll. We ma,
not be able to influence any great under
taking one way Or the other but to feel tina
we can be Of some help to those wht
naturally look to us for sympathy and ap
probation is reward enough in itself. W,
must either help or hinder. Which will it be
The New York Tribune and the Chicag,
Tribune are notorious for their fasehood
about the people of the South. This sec
ton is derided for its lawlessness, ignoranc