The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-12-23
The POT OF GOLD
AT FOOT OF RAINBOW

Newberry Stylus.
The rainbow, spanning the skies
with it's varied colors, is an everlast-
ing source of pleasure. To the ply
sicist it is wonderful place of
natural phenomena, to the poet it is
beautiful thought, to the artist it
is an inspiration, and to all it is a
symbol of our Heavenly Fathers
love and guidance through all the
storms of life.
There is an olden legend which
tells us that the brilliant bow of
colors somewhere touches the earth,
and that at this point there is hidden
pot of gold. The person who finds
this place, so the legend reads, will
possess a most wonderful gift. But
Just what does this pot Of gold of
which the legend tells us represent?
Is there really the pot of gold that
the ancients believed in, or IS 1t only
a myth?
1t may be that it is symbol of
fame and glory. If that be the case,
then one needs must work hard and
faithfully in order to follow the path
which leads to the foot of the rain
bow. One must not go at his work
half-heartedly, but he must strive to
do his very best in every case, no
matter how small the occasion may
seem. For each act is a stone which
goes to make up this path of glory.
And if the rock does not fit, or If it is
of material that will not stand, then
the work of building is stopped for
a while, and the faulty stone must
be removed, and the path rebuilt. The
greater the number Of difficulties
overcome while one is making this
journey, the greater the prize will
seem. And each obstacle over
come brings him nearer to the full
fillment of his hopes.
The pot of gold may represent
happiness. The only true happiness
in this world is found in the hearts
of men. Then it seems that follow
ing the trail which leads to the foot
Of the rainbow means, above all,
making others happy. For true hap
piness is unselfish, putting others
first always. It is not gained by
pleasure alone, or by doing only
agreeable tasks, but by forgetting self
/. entirely, and living for ones fellow
man. Then before one realizes 1t,
the path is ended, and he holds in
his hand the wonderful pot of gold,
for he is happy-happy to be able to
5 serve, glad because of the hearts he
has lightened. In searching for the
mystic gift he found that it was with
in him, and his cheerful words and
sunny smile radiate from his heart
of gold, influencing others to be Led
on by the rainbow.
Perhaps, as in the case of Abdal-
lah who only found the fourth leaf
of the clover-the leaf of perfect
happiness-in Paradise, the pot of
gold at the foot of the rainbow is
symbol of the happiness to be found
in Heaven. Then, indeed, it is a
prize we'll worth the toll and sacri-
fee of lifetime to obtain. The road
which leads to this wonderful prize
begins at the feet of the one who
wishes to follow it. 1t leads on and
on, in what seems never ending
course, until somewhere in the far un-
known, the goal is reached. But the
course may not be one of unbroken
light and brilliant colors, for there
are always clouds to obstruct the
,path of light. The clouds may be
heavy and dark, but what does the
poet tell us?
ssFor always when it thunders loud,
Somewhere the sun is shining,
And often times the darkest cloud
Will have the brightest lining"
When one has passed through the
black and lowering clouds of despair,
and come out on the other side, then
the way seems brighter than ever.
The golden light of Hope shines forth
again to dispel the gloom, and as its
beautiful rays beckon the pilgrim on,
his heart is ightened and his faith
renewed.
In any case, although it is only a
legend, the pot of gold may be taken
as a representative of reward that
is gained by patient toll and unceas-
ing care. Whatever this prize may
be, whether fame and earthly glory,
happiness on earth, or a Heavenly
reward, it is certainly profitable
gain. For the beautiful bow that
spans the Heavens could not but lead
to a reward that is uplifting and
beautifying. Then, whichever it be,
the path leads in the same direction,
because an earthly glory gained by
unjust methods is not really gain,
but is, in truth, loss: ''for what
shall it profit man if he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul!"
And always, as one carries on his
work, shining in the Heavens after
every storm is the radiant band of
colors, which is a sign to him that
there is a calm after every struggle,
and which keeps in his mind the pot
of gold at the foot of the rainbow.
H. w., 20.