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...

Meanings Are in People, Not in Words   August 16, 1970

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...

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...

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,...

School Thy Feelings…   August 23, 1970

Much of life and of love, of home and of happiness, is less than it might be because of tensions and tempers, resentments and feelings of offense that separate loved ones, that keep people apart,...

Sulking on the Sidelines   September 13, 1970

Sometimes people withdraw themselves from friendship and fellowship because of feeling of offense. Sometimes they become aloof, and withhold themselves from service, because they feel someone has...

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...

The Hurts of the Heart   November 29, 1970

There are physical hurts in life, accidents, illness, financial misfortunes, which men often manage to survive. But there are hurts of the heart that pull people down in deep discouragement,...

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...

The Sum of Our Decisions   October 18, 1970

“No one can ask honestly or hope fully to be delivered from temptation,” said John Ruskin, “unless he has himself honestly and firmly determined to do the best he can to keep out...

There Is Much Said That Isn't So   October 11, 1970

We live in a time of much talk, with opinions often expressed, sometimes without much substance, and rumors that swiftly circulate, because someone heard that someone said that something is so⎯and...

There Is No Unimportant Person   December 13, 1970

As we remember the words of the Master of mankind, the poor in spirit come to mind at this moment. Whatever else it may mean, there are many who are downhearted and discouraged, who feel little...

This New Morality…   August 9, 1970

With some satire but more of soberness one observer had this to say: “It looks like this new morality is about the same as the old immorality.”1 We hear both loose and thoughtful talk...

Those Who Keep Things Going   July 5, 1970

A letter from a friend has turned our thoughts to a citation from a current source: “To me there is an aura of grandeur about the dull routine of maintenance…. It is easier to build than...

Too Many Days at a Time   December 6, 1970

I heard a beloved associate say this to someone who was deep in sorrow from the loss of a loved one: “Don’t try to live too many days at a time,” 1 This counsel could well carry...

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...

Twixt Will and Will Not   November 1, 1970

Unless They Practice What They Preach   September 27, 1970

To quote a very simple couplet from a current source: “Parents can tell, but never teach, unless they practice what they preach.”1 This doesn’t apply only to parents, but is true...

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,...