If We Don't Change Direction January 4, 1970
There is a simple axiom which says: “A straight line is the shortest distance between two points.” And to this we add another simple assertion: If we don’t change direction, we...
On Living With Imperfect People--Including Ourselves January 11, 1970
One of the urgent lessons of life is to learn to live with imperfect people—not only with imperfections of others but also with the imperfections in ourselves. It is often true that we don’t...
When Your Heart Tells You Things Your Mind Does Not Know January 18, 1970
There is this phrase, cited by a thoughtful friend: “…when your heart tells you things your mind does not know.”1 All of us have impressions, promptings, sometimes a sense of warning; an...
How Could I Face My Children…? January 25, 1970
This comment was heard from a wonderful forthright grandfather. He had just talked with a young grandson⎯one of those searching sessions when a child asks direct, unflinching questions⎯when a child...
If We Are Running Deeply Into Debt… February 1, 1970
There is a somewhat mundane matter which calls for comment because it concerns most of us at times, and concerns character and conscience, and certainly self-respect. We are referring to the...
The Character of Our Country February 8, 1970
Some historians say there have been some nineteen civilizations rise and fall in human history, and the principal cause for downfall was moral decay. Civilization and survival, are, besides all...
One Increasing Purpose Runs February 15, 1970
At a time when men seem so sure of themselves in some ways and so unsure in others, a line or two from Tennyson seems worth remembering: Yet I doubt not through the ages One increasing purpose runs,...
If Everyone Must Watch Everyone… February 22, 1970
There is an old-fashioned subject on which something needs to be said, and that is: simple honesty. There can be no credit, no contract, no transaction, no safe situation without the element of...
If You Don't Want Temptation to Follow You… March 1, 1970
As one whimsical observer said, “When some folks flee from temptation, they leave a forwarding address.” This brings us to what could be called tempting temptation, flirting with it,...
Until It Was Tested… March 8, 1970
There is an interesting observation from a person who bought some equipment, which looked good until he tried to use it – and then it wouldn’t work. “The failure,” he said,...
We Tell Them Better Than We Show Them March 15, 1970
There is concern, of course, for young people, for their problem, and for the permissive way in which some of them sometimes live their lives. But, as one cause of such concern, must we not admit...
Faith Is Not a Theory March 22, 1970
Life Hath Quicksands--Life Hath Snares April 5, 1970
There is a poignant, moving line from Longfellow: “Oh thou child of many prayers! Life hath quicksands – life hath snares!” Young people often wonder why parents worry, why they counsel...
If It Were Happening to Us… April 12, 1970
From the window of a waiting train we watched a young mother with two young daughters, all dressed in their best, eagerly, anxiously looking at passengers arriving. And then there was a light in...
The Strength of Being Calm April 19, 1970
It has been long since William George Jordan wrote his essay on The Majesty of Calmness – but perhaps more than then, it is needed now. He did not have in mind the calmness of inertia, or of...
Where Are Your Children? May 3, 1970
What might be our thoughts and feelings if we should find ourselves face to face with the Lord and Master of mankind? Suppose His steady eyes were upon us at this moment⎯and that we would know that...
Oh! Be There, Mothers--Be There… May 10, 1970
Some time ago I watched two pigeons making a crude nest in a secluded crevice outside one of my windows. It was winter. It was cold. Food must have been difficult to find. It was the mother who...
I Shall Not Waste My Days… May 17, 1970
In some moving lines Jack London suggested some attitudes on age, and the fuller use of life: “I would rather be ashes than dust!” he said. “I would rather that my spark should...
Trust Him to Run All Things Well May 31, 1970
The swift passing of the seasons brings all of us times to think upon the length of life, as friends and loved ones come and leave, and as we ourselves face always such uncertainties. Not one of us...
Your Face June 7, 1970
“God has given you one face,” said Shakespeare, “and you make yourselves another.”1 A face isn’t just features and skin⎯it’s a soul, a mind, a heart put into...