Her Affection Came Too Late

1900

One of the papers tells of a woman at an old man's coffin. She kissed him and wept over him. She told the people how good he was. But he took it all very coolly. He was dead. He was old and poor and she was young and rich. She had ten rooms, but no room for her father. Yet he made room for her when he had only two. He was not educated. She was, at his expense. He had fed and clothed her and sent her to seminary and college, until she grew refined and married a rich man. Now she kissed him and cried by his coffin and buried him handsomely. But everybody said this did not make up for her want of kindness in the years of his old age.

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 14.

The Danger of Charity — Completely Pauperized

1910

Albert W. Hebbard, New York's charity expert, said at a recent dinner:

"The great danger of charity is its pauperizing effect. This effect must be avoided, or the recipients will all become Jack Hanches.

"Jack Hanch, on the score of bad health never worked, and the pastor of the Methodist church, a man whose heart sometimes outran his head, sent the idler and his family weekly gifts of food and clothing — supported the whole crew, in fact.

"A church visitor, after listening to Jack's complaints one day, said:

" 'Yes, of course, you have had bad health, we know that; but one thing at least you ought to be thankful for, and that is our pastor's kindness in sending you all this bread and meat and jelly and blankets and so on. Don't you think it is good of him to look after you so well?"

" 'Good of him?' said Jack, impatiently. 'Why, what's he for?' "


Contented Heart Brings Cheer

This world is only a place of pilgrimage, but after all there is a good deal of cheer on the journey, if it is made with a contented heart. — Henry Van Dyke.


The Unlucky Mandrake

From time immemorial the mandrake has been associated with enchantments, and has ever been believed to be one of the most powerful charms of witches. Mr. Conway in a paper on "Mystic Trees and Flowers," states that "by popular superstitions in some places it is said to be perpetually watched over by Satan, and if it be pulled up at certain holy times and with certain invocations, the evil spirit will appear to do the bidding of the petitioner." (See Genesis 30:14ff).