Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-01-24
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO
COME AFTER US.

o God, we pray thee for those who
come after US, tor our children, and
the children of our friends and for
all the young lives that are marching
up from the gates OF birth, pure and
their faces. We remember with a
pang that these will 1--we In the world
we are making tor them.s We are
wasting resources OF the earth in our
headlong greed, and they Will suffer
want. We are building sunless
houses and Joyless cities for our
pront, and they must dwell therein.
We are making the burden heavy
and the pace OF work pitiless, and
they will fall wan and sobbing by the
wayslde. We are poisining the air
of our land by our lies ana our un-
cleanness and they Will breathe it.
y God, thou knowest how We have
cried out in our agony when the sins
of our fathers have been visited upon
US, and how we have struggled valnly
against the memorable fate that
coursed in our blood or bound us in
prison-house of life. Save us from
manning the innocent ones who come
alter US by the added cruelty Of ouf
sins. Help us TO break the ancient
force of evil by a holy and steadfast
will, and to endow our children with
a purer blood and nobler thoughts.
Grant US grace to leave the earth
fairer than we found it; to build
upon it cities of God in which the cry
OF needless pain shall cease; and to
put the yoke of Christ upon our bust
ness life that it may serve and not
destroy. Lift the veil of the future
and show us the generation to come
as 1T will be if blighted by our guilt
that our lust may be cooled and we
may walk in the fear of the Eternal
Grant US vision of the far-off years
as they may be if redeemed by the
sons of God, that we may take heart
and do battle for thy children ano
ours.
Our Trees.
If one should visit the beautiful
city of Lawrence, Kansas, the first
impression would ge that of admira
ton for its wonderful trees.
But Lawrence is set in prairie
country amid rich fields of waving
grain, with here and there clumps OF
graceful elms. These have all beer
planted.
To watch the wind waves play ovel
thousands of acres in golden grair
is joy to the eye, but none the les.
is this joy of city of homes made
glorious by shady streets. Graceful
arms reach out across these street.
weaving network of green over
head. The reason for this is traced
to New England forefathers who
brought the elm and planted it il
Kansas. The town SO planted wa.
named in honor of the ancestors Of
Bishop Lawrence of Massachusetts,
This history of Kansas, is a part o.
the story of our great nation.
New England has nothing amonl
its treasures so valuable as its trees
Each year thousands are expended il
the care of them. AS in France
each tree has number and a his
tory, so in New England wise law
protect them and no tree may be cu
without careful decision as to the
necessity of cutting. There are also
laws for planting wherever an ole
tree must be removed.
A broadminded citizen conserve.
and protects the natural resources Of
a community, willing to sacrifice
something for his vision of the
future. Men may make city but
only God can make tree" People
of Charles Town, love your trees
Make friends with them, protect
and treasure them as you do your
own children. Realize before it is
too late that the quaint and quiet
charm of your town is in its beauti-
full trees, often FOUNDED and mutt
lated. Tey are yours by inheritance
to hold trust for those who come af-
ter US.
Marian P. DuyaI.