The Family Circle

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 3, 18 January 1923, Page 53

The Family Circle

CONSTRUCTIVE CHARITY.

’Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near the crest was so pleasant; But over the terrible edge there had slipped

A duke and full many a peasant. So the people said something would have to be done, But their projects did not at all tally, Some said: “Put a fence ’round the edge of the cliff,” Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, For it spread through the neighboring city. A fence may be useful or not, it is true, But each heart became brimful of pity

For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff; And the dwellers in highway and alley Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence, But an ambulance down in the valley.

“For the cliff is all right if you’re careful,” they said, “And if folks even slip and are dropping, It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much As the shock down below -when they’re stopping.” So day after day as those mishaps occurred,

Quick forth would these rescuers sally To pick up the victims, who fell off the cliff, With the ambulance down in the valley.

Then an old sage remarked, “It’s a marvel to me That people give far more attention To repairing results, than to stopping the cause, When they’d much better aim at prevention. Let us stop at its source all this mischief,” cried he: “Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally.

If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense With the ambulance down in the valley.”

“Oh, he’s a fanatic,” the others rejoined, “Dispense -with the ambulance? Never! He’d dispense with all charities, too, if he could.

No, no. We’ll support them for ever. Aren’t, we picking folk up just as fast as they fall, And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?

Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence While the ambulance works in the valley?”

But a sensible few, who are practical, too, •Will not bear with such nonsense much longer.

They believe that prevention is better than cure, And their party will soon be the stronger. Encourage them, then, with your purse, voice, and pen, And (while other philanthropists dally)

They will scorn all pretence and put up a stout fence On the cliff that hangs over the valley.

Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old, For the voice of trite wisdom is calling,

To rescue the fallen is good, but ’tis best To do something to keep them from falling. ,

ALTRUISM.

There is no happiness in the world like that of a disposition made happy by the happiness ■of others. There is no joy to be compared to it. There is no sorrow that is not softened by it; for it is the balm of unselfishness. There is no inheritance a mother can leave her children comparable,to that which flows from the luxury of doing good to others,, The jewels which wealth can buy, the Rewards which ambition can secure, the pleasures of art and scenery, the abounding sense of health, and the exquisite enjoyment of mental creations, are nothing to this heavenly , happiness. . . . , - * • ,

■ •'■-./■;- . ~ :;HOME. ■ '\ r y x '■.;■■ • \*, No word in the* English language approaches, in sweetness, the sound of this group of letters. Out of this grand syllable rush memories and emotions always chaste and noble. Certain men are almost invincible against the onslaughts of the many base allurements which cause misery on all sides of us why are they so firm It is because the influence of home has aided their early' endeavors; its glorious example has stood before before their minds, teaching them the wisdom of virtue and industry.

The strongest fortification which the human heart can throw up against temptation is, aside from the grace of God, home. It is a common saying that "Manners make the man"; and there is a second, that "Home makes the man." Home is the first and most important school of character. It is mainly in the home that the heart is opened, the habits are formed, the intellect is awakened, and the character, moulded for good or evil. Where the spirit of love and duty pervades the home, when head and heart rule wisely there, we may expect from such homes healthy, dutiful, and happy children, capable, as they gain the requisite strength of following the footsteps of their parents, of walking uprightly, governing themselves wisely, and contributing to the welfare of those about them. LIFE'S LITTLE WOES. Each of us has little troubles in life to bear. No matter whether it be a sick parent, a useless child, a departed relative, an affliction, a bad indigestion, a sour disposition or whining friends at home, we think we have a terrible lot to put up with.

True, we are professing Christians, and as such we are not only supposed to cheerfully hear our crosses, but willingly to grasp them, yet how do we complain! Devoid of the gospel of cheerfulness, we whine away, and practically assert —at least by disposition—"l will not serve." Look about you in the soft, easy-going world; the machine, mechanical and s material city; the myriads of foolish people whose only existence is for pleasure and for the gratification of the senses, and then look at the crucified figure of the Saviour and King of mankind on the Cross! What is the practising Christian, the loyal follower of Christ, to find in this world? A bed of roses, ease, comfort, continuous pleasure? If so, then the Saviour's death was in vain, His advice on each bearing His cross, . and His Church's warning against the flesh and the devil, were useless. PICK AND NICK. .. This is the season when picnics are in full swing, but how many of the thousands who enjoy them could say why they were given their name? The explanation is simple. When a picnic was being arranged it was the custom for those who were to be present to promise to supply food and drink. A list of the things necessary was drawn up and passed round, each person picking out the articles he or she would supply. The name of the article was "nicked" on the list —that is to say, a mark was placed against it. The openair entertainment thus came to be known as "Pick and nick." The custom is said to date from 1802. OLD MOTHERS. I love old mothers —mothers with white hair, And kindly eyes and lips grown softly sweet , With murmured blessings over sleeping babes. There is something in their quiet grace ! ■'- That speaks the calm of Sabbath afternoons; . A knowledge in their deep, unfaltering eyes That far outreaches all philosophy. Time, with caressing touch, about them weaves The silver-threaded fair-shawl of age, While all the echoes of forgotten songs ... Seem joined to lend a sweetness to their speech. ~~ Old mothers! —as they pass with slow-timed step, , Their trembbling hands cling gently to youth's strength. Sweet mothers! —as they pass, one sees again, < Old garden walks, old roses, and old loves. ;. ; ■"-'■' y- _„..,.-«' i • Charles S. Ross.

' .-ANOTHER, SORT OF CASE. ' *"* '^ "I am not expecting any package," said the lady of the house. / y . " "This is the number," persisted the driver, looking at his book again. "Name's Higgins, ain't it?" "Yes." • • "No. 74?" . - "That's our number." : ' "Then it's for you." "I think not. It must be a case of mistaken identity." "No, mum. It's a case of ginger-beer." BAD COMPANY, Mr. Hardhitter's claim to a seat on the local council rested chiefly on what he called "the gross incompetence and criminal extravagance" of the present body. Individually and collectively Hardhitter ruthlessly exposed their failings, butHardhitter didn't win the seat! Worse, infinitely worse, one of his oldest friends voted for the other side at the last moment. "How was it, John?" asked the disappointed candidate, more in sorrow" than in v anger. "Why did you vote against me?" "Because," responded John, "I thinks a deal too much aboot ye to send ye afnang sich a dishonest set o' rascals as ye've proved them other fellers to be." | SMILE-AISERS. Aged Scotswoman (who has been knocked down by youthful cyclist): "Can ye no ring yer bell?" Youthful Cyclist: "Aye, but I canna. ride a bicycle." «*» "So you're a Boy Scout, eh? Have you done your good deed to-day?" "Yes, sir. I taught Billy Jones that it isn't safe to call me a liar."^ Soprano: "Did you notice how my voice filled the hall last night?" Soubrette: "Yes, dear; in fact, I noticed several people leaving to make room for it." " ■'■> ■'■■■<; «F "Yes," said the pilgrim in the elderly overcoat „with the bulging pockets, "him an' me is in partnership, but we don't do business together.''

"How's that?" ,;- "Why, he goes around sollin' a stove blackin' that leaves a stain on the fingers; I go around next day to the same houses with the only-soap that'll take it off." S» "Every time the baby looks into my face he laughs," declared the proud and boastful father. "Well, he's too young to have learned good manners yet," replied his friend, "but at least you must be gratified to see that the child has a real sense of humor." •• , < ... "So, you are married, at last! Allow me to congratulate you, for I hear you have an excellent and accomplished wife." -: ;' ';■'■■ "I have, indeed," was the reply. "She is accomplished. She is perfectly at home in literature; at home in music; at home in art; at home in science—in short, at home everywhere except —at home." ~. *?. "I don't-think flying-machines are so very wonderful," said little Sammy, after his mother had been telling him the story of their invention. "Teacher read about one in the Bible -the other day." . "In the Bible?" exclaimed his mother. "Are you sure?" ,;■;., ■ }'::\\S) : - ■' i V "••'" ''Oh, yes!" replied Sammy. "She told us that Esau sold his heirship to his brother Jacob." - . ' ...