The Yale expositor., 1917-11-15

seed, revolt from an atmosphere of
nagging, monOtony unsatisfied longing
for sympathy, injustice, idleness, long
suffering or a dozen other phases may
finally assume. Any of these may fur
nish the soil in which it finds root and
sustenance. Sometimes it is the fault
of one; sometimes husband and wife
both are to blame. The "innOcent" one
is often unknowingly, and perhaps even
reczlessly, an accessory before the fact
The way to prevent the ebb-tide of
love is to determine at the very start
of married life that there will be no
ebb-tide Sometimes husband and wife,
really loving each other as of old, wan
der blunderingly apart through petit
ness, pique, false pride or misunder-
standing Often with hands out
stretched in the darkness, just hunger
ing for each other almost touching
when q motion, a smile, term of en-
dearment, love light in the eyes OF
either, would bring them conquered
and submissive in each others arms,
yet recklessly indiscreet word,
mean taunt, a psychic moment of pos
sibility passed by unheeded, or ST.
lence that seems cruel, may drive them
still further apart. The stream of
fine sentiment and heart emotion
should sweep them out of themselves;
sometimes it backs water and engulfs
them.
1t really seems that some people do
not want happiness or they would not
dodge it so successfully, and begrudge
the trifles it takes to secure it. People
who would be shocked at the bare
thought of actually destroying a two
dollar bill often toss idly aside the
happiness of two for the merest trifie.
Life is too short and love too great to
sacrifice one hour through pettiness.
What matters it whose the fault or
whose the forgiveness? 1t is very
poor brand of personal dignity that
dares to throw its Decorating shadow
between them and the joy of recon
| citation and new bonds of love.
When the realization of the waning
of love comes, the two should seek to
forget for a moment the differences,
the saddening changes, the cemetery of
dead memories and buried emotions,
and try to get back somehow to some
common ground of unity and under
standing. They should seek to gather
together the trifles of sacred things
not yet lost. In the thought of these
there may be vitalizing flame of the
old love flashing out from the dull
gray of the ashes that will burn away
the dross of discord and misunder-
standing.
Argument itself rarely counts; this
is but an intellectual appeal; what is
needed is an emotional inspiration. We
should recognize conditions fully for
our own guidance in action, but 1t is
not wise to make evident our pain by
pleas and protests. Cruel words meant
to sting can be neutraliTed TO de-
gree by showing no sign of being effect
ed by them. There is a yellow streak
Of cruelty in love grown cold; it likes
the cringing that shows its power.
Studied neglect and cool Indifference
are rarely continued if they are re-
ceived with an innocent absorption or
preOccupation they cannot penetrate.
There is really little fun shooting with
these blank cartridges. An unexpect-
ed kindness, note of tenderness in
speech or act, the regenerating influ-
ence of the sweet sentiment, and grace
full attention of the earlier days OF
loving, may melt a mood of opposition
that any argument would solidify as
heat sets clay.
Trying to get back to the fork of
the road where parting came may il
illuminate life and show the insidious
element that keeps apart two, who
should love each other. In the care
of garden there is q twofold duty
the elimination of the weeds and the
planting of the flowers. In the home
life the dual duty is specially vital;
when discord reigns there should be
at least the negative virtue of avoid
ing subjects of inharmony, of cutting
off those things that intensity differ
ences, Of stopping the fire of verbal
grapeshot that stings like needles. 1t
is time for antidotes, and if you can
HOl pOsslDiy give uu uulluOlt, III mercy
give a poultice-not a blister. 1t is
the hour when two people should work
overtime making allowances for each
other, and pack their sense of wound
ed personal dignity away for the sea-
son in tar paper, for 1t Is in the way
during such crisis.
In storm at sea everything is sac
rificed to save the ship; personal dis
comfort, suffering, trial, hardship-all
count for nothing If the vessel itself
with Its people be kept afloat. When
the life happiness of two hangs in
the balance, when love is sinking in
a night of doubt, there should be a
supreme effort to save the ship. Throw
over pride, self-will, pique. dignity,
fear, selfishness, all little pet vices ii
necessary, sacrifice every wrong and
even minor rights-just TO save the
ship. Love is the most valuable cargo
ha oh - o. Ia &c a.,