The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-01-18
Rule
Of Life
THOUGH every day is q new BE-
ginning. and so far as our person

something about the ending Of Decen
Dor and the first week or so OF Janu
airy that makes ever the careless
thoughtful. The passing year hA
brought both Joy and sorrow-wha
may not the mex have In store
Where shall we be when the New Yea
bells fall on our ears again? Who vii
be with us7 Shall we be Ill or we'll
Disquieting questions that disturb oul
cas- and make US inclined to fear.
We have b~lundered sorely, 1t may be
in the old year; some Of Its pages are
blurred with regret, or the sombre
stains of remorse. And no matter
what happiness may have been ours
there is always something we did OF
left undone which saddens us as we
remember. Shall we make the same
mistakes once more, leave the same
blotted record? Our hearts grow chill,
and we turn away, disheartened on the
New Years threshold.
This is quite the wrong spirit In
which to face the battle that lies be-
fore us. 1t Is right that we should
look back to see where we failed, and
how. But this once recognized, with
our plea for forgiveness plea that
will never. be refused II we are truly
sorry-we must lift up our hearts
again and set out to STAY our enemies.
They are within us, not without. In
side u citadel dwells that evil tenn
per, that pride, that Incidence, that
greed or envy which tempts us to de-
sert our colors-to think that the fight
is hopeless. Each of US has his own
special temptation, and, once we real
lie the form ours takes, the way lies
straight before us.
It's the fashion to smile at New
Year resolutions, SO often made only
to be broken; but they are a definite
help if we make them firmly intending
to keep them! They will only weaken
us If we throw them to a troublesome
conscience merely as a sop-something
to keep 1t quiet for the time, until 1t
goes to sleep again. Providing that
they be sufficiently elastic to change
their form when there is reasonable
cause. TOi6S ItuCt III uutltS tndt lulSDL
be neglected and keep them in the
forefront Of our minds. But to multi
ply rules is a big mistake, for there
Is one which, faithfully kept, will
make us both blessing and blessed.
The Rule of Love. Just loving our
neighbor as we love ourselves serving
him, trusting him, hoping for him.
R~efraining even under grave provoca-
ton from saying what would sting If
he said it to us; forgivfng him as we
would be forgiven; considering him as
we would be considered; helping him
when he needs it with the thoughtful
delicacy which makes help acceptable
instead Of humbling; respecting his
weakness, his prejudice, his infirmity
laughing with him instead of at him
and, should there come a time when
sincerity demands, we should say what
we know will not please him, taking
care to blend truth with charity.
All the little" rules we make for
ourselves come into line with this one.
The Rule of Order-oh, how many
New Years have we not begun with
the resolution hat we would not leave
our things about. nor lose them, nor
hide them away For we cannot be
all to ourselves any more than
can be Ill tempered and not spoil
else's pleasure and nothing
Is more upsetting to already wearied
brains than the fuss and worry of
hunting for things which should be
'eady to hand. The Rule of Punctil-
BUSINESS in little things, that famous
'oiler of the wheels of life" will make
is both polite and punctual, as we
be if we would be pleasant TO
work with Judging other peoples
preferences by our ownD The Rule
# Getting Up-In-Time (this almost
deserves all capitals y means, if kept,
great deal more than our own con-
.-eniences, since everything we do or
cave undone is bound to react on our
leighbors.
And even II we often fail to keep,
ven ftfully, the golden rule which
njoins us to love them as ourselves,
very effort we make in this direction {
rings it's own reward, here and now.
IS we grow into the habit of thinking /,
( people kindly we cease to be an ]
Dyed at their peculiaritles. and create {
n atmosphere of good feeling In {
hitch they cease to be annoyed at
urs. We must always remember that
bearing and forbearing is not
eeded On our side alone-as Thomas i
Kempfs said long ago when we find g
UT neighbor difficult to put up with,
e may be sure that he finds it equally
Ifficult to put up with us. There will
ways be need for self-control and
atience but when we reckon up gain
nd loss on the eve Of 1923, In the :
easure we have kept the Rule of
owe, so one will outweigh the other. :
"We turn and look upon the valley !
the past year." says Stopford
There below are the spots
aimed by our evil and our fear. But :.
We look a glow of sunlight breaks :
BON the past. and in the sunshine Is =
NJ