The Family Circle

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 14, 12 April 1923, Page 53

The Family Circle

AN OLD VAGABOND. He was old and alone, and he sat on a stone to rest for awhile from the road; His beard was white, and his eye was bright, and his wrinkles overflowed "With a mild content at the way life went; and I closed the book on my knee: "I will venture a look in this living book," I thought, as he greeted me. i And I said: "My friend, have you time to spend to tell me what makes you glad?" "Oh, ay, my lad," with a smile; "I'm glad that I'm old, yet am never sad!" "But why?" said I; and his merry eye made answer as much as his tongue; "Because," said he, "I am poor and free who was rich and a slave when young. There is naught but age can allay the rage of the passions that rule men's lives; And a man to be free must a poor man be, for unhappy is he who thrives: He fears for his ventures, his rents and debentures, his crops, and his son, and his wife; His dignity's slighted when he's not invited; he fears every day of his life. . But the man who is poor, and by age has grown sure that there are no surprises in years, Who knows that to have is no joy, nor to save, and who opens his-eyes and his ears To the world as it is, and the part of it his, and who says: They are happy, these birds, Yet they live day by day in improvident way —improvident? What were the words Of the Teacher who taught that the field-lilies brought the lesson of life to a man? Can we better the thing that is schoolless, or sing more of love than the nightingale can? See that rabbitwhat feature in that pretty creature needs science or culture or care? Send this dog to a college and stuff him with knowledge, will it add to the warmth of his hair? Why should mankind, apart, turn from Nature to Art, and declare the exchange better-planned I prefer to trust God for my living than plod for my bread at a master's hand, A man's higher being is knowing and seeing, not having and toiling for more; In the senses and soul is the.joy.of control, not in pride or luxurious store. Yet my needs are the same as the kingling's whose name is terror to thousands: some bread, Some water and milk—l can do without silk —some wool, and a roof for my head. What more is possest that will stand the grim test of death's verdict? What riches remain To give joy at the last, all the vanities past?—Ay, ay, that's the wordthey are vain And vexatious of spirit to all who inherit belief in the world and its ways. And so, old and alone, sitting here on a stone, I smile with the birds at the days." And I thanked him, and went to my study, head bent, where I laid down my book on its shelf; And that day all the page that I read was my age, and my wants, and my joys, and myself. John Boyle O'Reilly.

AN APRIL SAINT. St. Justin. Martyr (April 14), born in Palestine (though apparently not of Jewish parentage) towards the v end of the first century of Christianity was contemporary with the

immediate disciples of the Apostles and probably himself one of them. Converted to Christianity, he . travelled in the intent to spread the knowledge of the Faith, and coming to Rome turned his great talents to its scientific defence. Of high culture and well-to-do, he was able to address and present his Apologies for Christianity, as they were called, to tho' then reigning Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, who, though in repute even now as a philosopher, was an intolerant persecutor of the new religion. St. Justin foretold his own martyrdom, which took place in the year 167. He with many other Christians was beheaded outside the walls of Rome, after having been subjected to a severe scourging, as was the custom of the time in regard to criminals condemned to death. The works of St Justin are of great value, especially as throwing light on the early history of the Catholic Church. The sketch he has left us of the ceremonial of Holy Mass, as celebrated in his time, is especially interesting.

JUST A THOUGHT. During the winter months, suffering among the poor is naturally greater than during the other seasons of the year; and some persons are apt to become irritated by the more frequent calls upon their generosity. To these we would suggest a little meditation upon the following inspired lines of the poet:

“For giving is living,” the angel said, “Go feed to the hungry sweet charity’s bread.” “And must I keep giving again and again?” My selfish and querulous answer came.

Ah, no!” said the angel, piercing me through, “Just give till the Master stops giving to you.” The Telegraph, Cincinnati

FORGET THE PAST. The constant looking backward to what might have been, instead of forward to what may be, is a great weakener of self-confidence. This worry for the old past, this wasted energy, for that which no power on earth can restore, ever lessens a man's faith in himself, weakens his efforts to develop himself, for the future to the perfection of his possibilities. Do in the best way you can the work that is under your hand at the moment; do it with a. good intention; do it with the best preparation your thoughts suggest; bring all the light of knowledge to aid you. Do this and you have done your best. The past is forever closed. No worry, no struggle, no suffering, nor agony of despair can change, it. It is as much beyond your power as if it were a million years behind you. Turn all that past, with its sad hours, its weakness and sin, its wasted opportunities and graces, as so many lights in hope and confidence upon the future. The present and the future are yoursthe past has gone back, and all its messages, its history' its records, to the God who loaned you the golden moments to use in obedience to His law.— Couteix Leader, Buffalo

THE MISSIONARY. One passing glance of sadness—that is all— And soon the billows high Bear his stout heart from country, friends, and home' He gladly goes in answer to the call- ' Transcending earthly tie Of his loved Lord, and souls that bid him come.

Nor recks he mem’ries dear, nor does he pause— Oh ! .never such a thought— In doubt to hesitate and count the cost - Exiled, he wills to be in such a cause, That souls so dearly bought With love intense may not to death be lost.

Dear Lord! accept my health, my friends, my lifeThe honor is so great ' To work with Thee, and win Thy heart's desire; I ask no other grace, nor in the strife For vict'ry soon or late; , * Thy holy will alone my thoughts inspire. —J. O'H.

THE SHIRKER Blossoming forth from poverty to riches, Mr. Smith bought a motor-car. It wasn't much of a car, but he talked about it a lot. He always called it "my automobile." He tried many experiments with it, and was often seen reclining underneath it. This happened so frequently that Smith and his automobile became the joke. of the neighborhood. One day Smith was mowing his lawn, when something went wrong with the mower. He sat down beside it to have a look at the machinery. A wag, chancing to pass that way, paused. "Good morning, Smith," he said; "is that your automobile again?" "No," growled Smith, "it's my oughter-mow-grass but it won't!"

THEY DON'T SPEAK NOW. Two business men, although not outwardly enemies, were not too well dispposed to one another. Meeting on a train, one remarked to the other: "I met a friend of yours the other day, and took the opportunity of putting in a good word for you." "That was very kind of you," his companion replied. "What did he say?" "Oh, I told him you were one of the keenest business men I knew, that you had opened several new branches, all of which were making money, and that you had settled large dowries upon your wife and daughters." "That was really kind of you," replied his companion again; "and, by the way, who was it you were speaking to?" " . "Mr. Moss," was the answer. "Mr. Moss. Who is he?" "Don't you know?" came the reply. "He's the in-come-tax assessor!"

SMILE-RAISERS. -'•* Tom: "What ails you?" Charlie: "Three diseases I 'know of.'' Tom: "That all?" Charlie: "Well, 1 have only seen three doctors." A Daughter: "But papa, don't you think Bertie is old enough to know his own mind?'! "Father: "He ought to get acquainted with what little lie lias in no time at all." *: Lady (purchasing thermometer): "And would you be so kind as to set it to 65, because that's what the doctor says I'm to keep the room at." * Mclsaacs (hoping to save a fee): "Doctor, my brother stepped into a hole and wrenched his knee, and now he limps. What would you do in a case like that?" Doctor (not to be caught): "I'm afraid I should limp too." * Chemist: "I say, Brown, that meat you sold me yesterday didn't taste at all nice." Butcher: "Well, that makes us quits, because the medicine you gave me last week tasted something 'orrible." Father, teaching his six-year-old son arithmetic by giving a problem to his wife, begs his son to listen. Father: "Mother, if you had a pound and I gave you five more, what would you have?" Mother (replying absently): "Hysterics."