Life's perfected steps; or, The king's pathway to peace and happiness

Contents

Pag*.

Infancy 1 1

School-days 43

Preface

What is a book? The pages of some life unfolded. And thought! what is it? The hidden meaning between the lines ; as the author says to you, the reality of himself or herself, as each thread of life is picked up and dissected. Books contain for us the reality of some life.

In conceiving the idea of giving to the growing youth a perfected thought of life, I have had some experience myself to draw these pages from, having traveled along the road and been taught the way by digging from life's hard problem the mystified answer.

I feel it would be a loving duty to scatter a few seeds of kindness along the path of the young people, whom I claim as friends, hoping that all will not fall upon stony ground, and that some of the good herein contained may take root and grow.

By thus shedding a ray of light along the shadowed wayside of the many busy toilers scattered all over this broad land of ours, may the thought of the writer, sent forth in all sincerity, help lighten some of the burdens, and diffuse and blend into each one's life the true harmony of thought this little volume is intended to convey.

BABYHOOD.

CHAPTEK I.

BABYHOOD.

"Come in the morning, so fresh and so sweet,

Over earth's darkness, heaven's dawn-beams to meet,

Early consider your ways and His will,

Best in the even by Love's peaceful rill."

— Havergal.

O, morn of life! O, shining Light!

Awake a new born soul, Which, soaring upward in its flight,

Finds heaven its surest goal.

A tiny thought imbued with life,

A touch might rudely blast; Thou'rt launched upon this ebbing tide,

Almost too frail to last.

Or why thou should'st be here; Fret not, thou wee one, — God, who gave

This life to thee — is near

To show to thee the way, the truth,

That all who come must learn; Lean now on Him, He shields thy youth,

To thee can come no harm.

(ID

Unfold thy thought — expand thy mind,

Thou'rt guided on thy way; So shalt thy footsteps, like the hind,

Ne'er falter, — never stray.

You come to us in perfect mould,

Like He, who came to save; He taught us then in days of old,

How to be good and brave.

God loves thee, keeps thee, all His own,

Hast thou then aught to fear?

Anchored here safe, — work and be strong Assured because He's near.

Then falter not, live, love and strive

To win a life of fame; Be all that's noble, pure and bright,

Just work in His dear name.

Only a baby! Why do we hear that expression so frequently ? Because a wee little life seems so small to us of maturer years. Because Ave have not weighed the responsibility of this one great opportunity, which has come into our hearts, lives and homes.

Because it is such a common thing to have a winsome, prattling, loving little life dropped down in our very midst, possibly we do not appreciate or understand such a blessing. Judging from the lives of the human race, taken in all its phases, surely proves this true.

What resources are lying undeveloped yonder, in that little bundle of thought and life, so cosily dressed, and so carefully tended? Dare we predict the future of one of God's little ones sent to us from out the great unknown ? Dare we scarcely face the responsibility of the stupendous undertaking of caring for the physical, mental and spiritual needs of one little child just starting out on the boundless ocean of care, sorrow, joy and happiness of a checkered human life ?

This little bud of promise needs much at our hands. The most careful, considerate thought, the kindest words, just decision, a deep pure love for the good of the life just ushered in.

A pure thought of healthful, bracing trust, that all, that is good, is for them. Building strong bodies and minds, that they may be able to grasp, in this early time, the true understanding of life, and thus in the future learn to live it.

Think you, we can diffuse over this unfolding too much of the truth as taught by the Divine Teacher? How beautiful thoughts, like the dew-drops, strengthen the physical as well as the mental growth.

From this unfolding thought, dear reader, may yon some lesson glean, which shall say to you, as you gaze into the depths of those pure, innocent eyes, into the soul's deepest thought, let that index of the inner soul speak to you and say:

Help me to live a true life, help me to build a stable foundation for all my future years, so that each unfolding step, which my faltering feet may take, shall be one more link by which a stepping stone may be achieved to make a firm adamantine rock, upon which to build all that's good and pure, noble and true.

Help me to shun that which will in any way change or dwarf this passive clay awaiting the moulder's willing hand. Give me from out your abundant store of wisdom, harmony, understanding and heart's purest love, a small portion, that the unrevealed in my little life, may grow and grow, responding, ever and anon, to the good it finds in these my heart teachers. Let only loving thoughts, words and deeds come near this little helpless life, just sent to brighten ours.

The moulder's work is now fairly begun. How every sweet smile, every satisfied cooing sound of the baby boy or girl, reflects the atmosphere around it.

If the sunshine of loving thought, the influence of good lives hover over the little innocent, it responds also with a gentleness and restfulness, which builds a growth of body and mind strong, lasting and true.

Susceptible to every wave of thought it absorbs and retains much which is hardly understood as substance.

The soft, dewy rain gently dropping freshness on bud and flower, with the gentleness of warm, mellow sunshine, come to budding rose carefully strengthening, carefully helping the growth and assisting toward the maturity of perfect fullness in much the same way as the maturer, wiser and more experienced minds lead on and bless the early life of the young child.

In peaceful, quiet ways we influence and build up the character of these tender years. They, like the petals of the undeveloped flower, expand gradually, and receive into their little lives this gentle, loving, watchful care.

. Were the tempests to come, rudely shaking this bud, we should miss the perfection this flower might have developed, and the beauty we might have possessed would have been desolated forever.

Or were the scorching rays of a noonday sun to descend, withering and blighting by the too muchness of heat and light, ruin is the result. All i& lost and nothing gained.

By a lack of wisdom and understanding, we readily see how easily in handling a nervous, delicate young mind and body a cold, unfeeling parent, by his o> her harshness, irritable, careless thought (and of all the cold indifference seems the worst), dwarfs, cramps and almost kills the true development of these trusting natures. Certainly changes and distorts the reality of life in these pure germs of thought which have been entrusted to their care.

And by being over-careful of them are these guardians liable to err. Too much care and pettingis like the tempest and the rays of the broiling sun upon the tender plants.

Could we understand one true idea of the beginning of life: Bending the twig, not breaking it. By always trying to guide the thought aright, bykeeping a bright, cheery thought about them, the physical development takes care of and grows of itself.

By controlling the inner thought life, and leading, not driving, parents, teachers and guardians are the conquerors of the world. Truly has it been said : " The mothers who rock the cradles shape the destinies of the future men and women."

Could we, my friends, learn that thought controls life from the beginning, what a new awakening for humanity !

When the artist draws his picture he draws it carefully, balancing it on every side and coloring it with different hues and shades, that it may reflect the thought of the artist.

Now we draw our picture, so that it shall reflect upon the world health, beauty, harmony, happiness. If life was right from the beginning and lived right all along the different stages of life's pathway, would it not be possible to reflect such a pen sketch ?

But our thoughts turn us away from this, which might be, and we are forced to stop a moment to see things just as they are presented to us daily.

We will not selfishly cling to only the bright and sunny side, but will portray a little of life as it comes to us in quite an opposite phase, though it is so common.

And we readily see on looking about us on every side how sad the effects have been, and are, because of the careless thoughts, imperfect training, unjust decisions, unkind words, a dearth of the heart's deep tenderness and love, which has changed and deformed the whole tenor of these young lives, which have received so little of the true life intended for them.

What then for us and them ? Is not this responsibility resting upon the parents and guardians of these little* baby lives, simply appalling ? .* . ' -

In the sadness of ignorance and lack of home comforts, we begin to realize that each and all of ^us have. an opportunity for doing much good or harm. Shall we grasp these privileges or reject them? Do we lose or gain by allowing one of these opportunities for doing ever so little good escape us ?

Even one little chance for developing, ever so little, the inner life of those less fortunate than ourselves. One little effort, on our part, toward helping on toward a more elevated, perfected thought may be the very starting for them, and such a blessing to us. Our consciences tell us to do, and do we must with all our feeble energies.

We cannot go farther along this line of thought* because we have just been down into the whirlpool of our busy city, and have been met on every side by the little waifs which seem to belong to city life. I wonder how a large city would seem could these poor, pinched, little lives be gathered up and made strong and happy.

I think of them, sitting here surrounded by comfort and quiet, as thrown upon a barren waste of a desolated beach of want and poverty and crime, buffeted by the rough waves of adversity, and, sadder still, of the depravity by which they are born and bred.

How many are left purposely to be washed and beaten about, to drift back again into the seething current, ever and anon tossed to and fro, always meeting and worrying each other, contending for what? The right to life.

Perchance picked up by some good Samaritan, and in this half -grown condition in which they are found, placed in crowded houses called "Homes for the Homeless." There left to still live on, and endure the best they can, the life they must live. Was there ever a sadder expression used for an inscription for doing good than this same " Home for the Homeless?"

Do these words here, that you read in large letters over the entrance, mean love, harmony, happiness, development of thought, a growth of body, mind and soul for these little wanderers?

What meaning does the word " home" convey to these little unwelcome strangers, launched forth on the sea of life, who have no real claim on any one, and hardly a right to the life they sought not, and •cannot put away.

Nothing more than food and shelter, to these hungry, half- starved souls and bodies. These are clothed and fed meagerly and it is the best that can be done as life now is. Brain and heart dwarfed, cramped and starved. What can we expect from such, who never have half a life.

Is it any wonder our prisons, asylums, poorhouses, insane asylums, and all kinds of reformatories are always over-crowded? The wonder to me is, how they do as well as they do. A few of these unfortunate ones, for it is astonishing how life strives for the ascendency in these who receive so little care, and the good things of this life, a few, only a few, wither and die under these blighting influences of poverty, ignorance and want of a purer, kinder, more loving atmosphere. O, Father of mercy and goodness, methinks it were kinder to take them all, relieving the world of such a* load of sorrow, misery and chance for furthering the callousness of careless, vicious men and women.

But as this cannot possibly be, suppose each one who cares to peruse these pages does simply their true duty toward those who need so much from out of our abundance.

From our maturer, more experienced thought give out constantly a courageous, energetic, harmonious impulse toward these less favored ones. Filling them with a peaceful, restful influence, will not our courage help them to bear and conquer?

Think toward them such words as these: You are gaining wisdom. You are grasping truth. Your life's work is just begun. Persevere. Get a little of the good that is all about you to help you overcome all the impediments you are sure to meet.

Do we not see right in this one phase the necessity of building up a love for the good, for the truth, for the home, which the greater part of society lacks in the present century?

We do feel the past mistakes in the present day. We see its reflection everywhere, and the regret is that it seems to be increasing and not diminishing.

Tell me, if you can, why your neighbor comes home in a demented condition and abuses his wife and children? Tell me, if you can, why the jails, prisons and court-rooms are always full. Tell me, if you can, why that child seems to rather tell a lie than to tell the truth, when the truth would perhaps have answered better. Tell me, if you can, why even our grown people prefer to speak ill of their acquaintances rather than good. Tell me, if you can, why thieves abound so largely in the land.

Is not this the part that we experience in this present time? And is it not because away back somewhere something has been wrong? What is the wrong? Careless thought. Fathers and mothers have either been neglectful of their true duty or have placed all these conditions upon them, and suffered perhaps alike with them.

Could mankind just realize that the thinking powers shape, model and fix in early babyhood the foundations for useful future years, what lasting good might not be accomplished, what characters moulded and builded in the seclusion of the nursery.

Standing over the little sleeping innocent and realizing for them, in my thought, the possibilities and the probabilities of their future lives, sometimes I think I would never change those chubby, cherub faces, had I the right to say: But keep them pure and good, just as they are, wishing that the sunny days of their protected lives might always be theirs.

The thought of them now is so sweet and peaceful. They are with you all the time. It is a little sad when we think of it, how soon this little baby life will merge into the near future and connect itself with the next advancing step.

It seems to me this loving time of childhood, fostered in the dear home life by so much truthfulness, so much sincerity, so much purity, and so much harmony, would be to us, who stand contemplating the scene, a glimpse of heaven's beauty, where light-hearted, joyous, happy spring life created a kingdom of light and truth,forever beautiful in its freshness.

For what are these child-angels created and sent to these parents who love them so dearly? If we look deep into our hearts, we find the answer. They are the little bright lights all along our pathway. Our ways would be dark and shaded were it not for the love in their little hearts.

Each little lamp has its own name. Purity in this little bud of promise is so clear and white. It has never been subject to change, no defective dullness has ever marred for a moment its natural clearness.

The love of truth shines out with a beautiful skyblue lustre, which leans forward and blends itself into the silvery light of all pure thoughts. Then the heart's best love giving forth its bright red, roseate hue, warming by its mellow light, entwining itself in and about the heart-strings, making fortresses so strong that even the little rill, we call death, only carries our hearts right along, not separating, only binding closer in unison, these lovely heartthrobs between two lives.

As these children's journey of life advances let us hope that all going out thus into their worldly experience, go holding high above their bright eyes, and soft curly heads, these three lamps of safety, purity, truth and love.

And as their swift feet flit past us on life's journey, may this invisible chain, so strong in its entirety, be the welded strength of these three in one, to hold and to keep them in the good way.

This fond mother-love, which has guided and still continues to labor so untiringly, is something almost worshipful in its purity and unselfishness. Tt is something of which human experience is incapable of really and thoroughly understanding and appreciating, and the child-love, coming in response, in its early changing development, paints to our imagination such a picture of contentment and sweet rest, that we feel, if we were the matronlyhead, we should take our wee boys and girls up tenderly, O, so tenderly in our strong arms, and thus fold them close and long, almost wishing we might fly to realms unknown, never once looking back until they were safe in the everlasting arms.

But how could w r e build our steps if we were deprived of the clear, firm young minds which we started out with ? We must still go on with these little boys and girls, holding each by the hand, lest they soon become weary trying to keep pace with our long strides.

Are they not beginning to lisp the dear names of those about them, to walk a little and try to run about? Such a little time we have had them and how fast they grow from this sweet babyhood into early childhood. We look around, baby has gone, and as the days and weeks roll by, how surprised we are to find instead of the helplessness of infancy, a vigorous young boy or girl romping and playing from morn id or till nio-ht w r itli all the abandon of a little, frolicsome kitten.

Under no especial restraint, they enjoy the kindergarten life, and from early morn until the little birds tuck their heads under their wings, they go from one thing to another until their tired little bodies and brains find sweet rest in childhood's dreamland.

We sit and watch the happy smiles, as they speak to us of angel visitors, on their sunny countenances, and gaze with so much pride on those soft, smooth, dimpled little faces and hands without a defacing line.

We cannot resist the quiet appeal made to us from these silent little folks, resting so peacefully, coming as it does to us at this still time of the day, touching, soothing and resting us by its very silence, saying to us: " He who sows well must reap well."

We feel like consecrating ourselves anew, hoping and asking that our every day living may be all that has been marked out for us in these seven steps of a life just ready to start out in purity, truth and love.

Dear little babies. The future of our grand republic with all its various changes, the development of the true principles of good and true lives, the avoidance of the mistakes which have been made, all along the way of those who have entered in, lived and passed over, before you, the opportunity to achieve the grandest possibilities through truth and right, are snugly tucked away in those little cribs, and in the innocence of your little lives, the great possibilities are slumbering as quietly and sweetly as those tired little bodies.

May this babyhood be kept pure and holy into every succeeding step as your life unfolds itself, and may your banner stand forth with a firm and lasting thought, saying to you, to all who know and love you: The perfectness of any life must be the good lived in that life.

CHAPTEE II.

NURSERY LIFE.

Soft and strong, and loud and light, Heard from morning's rosiest height, When the soul of all delight Fills a child's clear laughter.

— Sicinburn.

O mother, nurse, and dear ones, Who have the tender care Of children in your keeping, Be watchful unto prayer.

Teach them to early trust in The unseen hand of love; Teach them that watching o'er each, Are angels from above.

Teach them that God is with them, His mission here is love, And when this life is ended, They'll dwell with Him above.

Teach them in early childhood Love, truth, and chastity; Give them the words of Jesus, Who said : " Come unto Me."

We are just ascending the second step of this unfolding life, which is still in the early bud, reminding us of the early sunrise on a lovely spring morning, just peering above the hills yonder. Indefinite because only the faint rays are visible, as this little loving child must always creep before it can begin to learn to walk.

Another round of the ladder must be mounted, opening up a new phase of this always developing existence, which must be met and lived. Effort succeeds effort, and judiciously the careful trainer arranges all the minor details for this new advancement, which is so varied in every form and change. The same duties must be performed over and over again.

There is not a very marked change at this period of this little one's growing life, only a gradual development of body and thought. So slight that the time passed in the cradle seems almost a part of this new extension, now merging into the time passed in the nursery with those who must make or mar, to a large extent, every thought of the pliable little one's mind. Might not this be almost classed right along with babyhood and nursery life, being only advancement of baby life or growing out of babyhood?

Here the days are just as long, just as full of busy care, mother, nurse and children find the hours almost too short for all the many calls upon their time and patience. How the little life is expanding and growing, increasing in strength and understanding, as every fibre, of the body and mind, gathers from the surroundings the reality which is absorbed so surely by the susceptible nature of the little child.

This little mind and inner soul life is grasping and taking in an abundance of things needful or hurtful to this delicately organized piece of humanity. The sensitive ear is actively alive to every harsh tone or loving word, and much depends on these every-day occurrences.

The careful mother spends all her spare time in the very necessary work found here. After caring for the physical needs, she will not think her work even begun. There is a constant weeding to be done, else the little minds do not thrive. They are like the early spring buds, the weeds must be kept out to allow strength and room for future flowers. And again, the useless branches on the slender sapling, must be removed that the future tree may flourish more vigorously.

The weeding and pruning process is slow and tiresome, and much time and untiring patience is very necessary at this particular development in the little child's nature, that nothing will crop out in the coming years to mar or deface the exquisite workmanship or hinder the outward progress or upward growth.

The first efforts of the loving mother are to instill into her little son's or daughter's mind a lesson of obedience and trust which these little ones learn here in the every-day home life with herself and nurse. These are not easily accomplished, and patience and perseverance must have " their perfect

ISUKSEBY LIFE. 29

work/' It is a great care for mother to always know when to say yes or no to the busy little brains who are always requiring something new to amuse themselves. But if obedience is required here at this time, how easy for both mother and child, because it's a lesson of loving authority taught and learned.

Wise little mother, do thy duty tenderly, prayerfully, lovingly, and the future of your loved ones will be a bright and shining light in the days awaiting you.

In teaching this, another lesson comes right in here and seems to be twin sister with this (wanting to have its own ivay). Selfishness and disobedience go hand in hand. The one seems but the shadow of the other, and so our next work is a lesson of uprooting from the very beginning the growth of selfishness, which is ever too rapid in its growth.

Building up, through a devoted love, a willingness to put away from its little thought these inharmonious feelings, so sure to develop and grow if not watched and guarded very carefully.

In early spring you cannot tell the weeds from the iiowers as they first break through the soil. Just so these little disobedient, selfish thoughts, in very young children, are so subtle in their natures, unless guarded well and watched untiringly, before we realize it, these little weeds, so small at first, hardly perceptible to us, seem to gather the strength and life from the deep rich soil, and by stealth, as it were, purloin from these better qualities that which should have perfected the necessary growth and advancement of this bright and promising child.

Has this good mother who so kindly prepares food, clothing, shelter, a restful home and everything needful for her children's comfort and happiness an easy task? Her every kind or thoughtless look or word is here recorded and reflected upon those nearest and dearest. Would that a sweet benediction might rest upon each and every mother, who is every hour of her life, untiring in her unselfish devotion to the little ones iu the homes all about us. The blessing would not stop with the faithful parent, but develop and grow, showing us in the future generations the power of good, wise, and pure thought upon the little children.

It has been said, and wisely too: " Give me a child until six years of age, and I will be responsible for what follows." If allowed the free control of the training of a young mind, is not, the meaning plain? Could words plainer be uttered by human tongue? Does it not mean constant watching, constant care, constant asking for guidance to know the right, and knowing, dare do it ? Never forgetting for one moment the great responsibility laid upon the older and wiser mind.

The every hour process of moulding, shaping, helping, guiding into a little broader and more expanded life, that the minds of these at some future time shall look back at the dear days with mother, father, and older brothers and sisters, at the times in this early seed time, when a loving home made heaven here. These wee toddlers will be the men and women then, and we must keep that thought ever before us, as a helper to strengthen our patience, which sometimes weakens, as we tire of the daily routine of the noisy little folks constantly with us.

Will the blessing from these little minds re-echo back to us in treading the down hill path of life ? Shall we hear the benediction wafted back to us, with a far-away sweetness, such words as these: " I owe all I am to the loving, watchful, untiring care bestowed upon me in early childhood by my good parents. To them is due my success in all I have undertaken. I was not driven over all the rough and rugged cliffs which beset my inexperienced childish foot-steps. I was lovingly and tenderly led all the way. My every step was so guarded and guided, that my little span of childhood was like* sweet dreamland, with soft, bright sunlight, making a happy summerland, from which in future years I may sit and ponder and fashion, in my fancy, sweet pictures of rest and peace."

This perfectness of training teaches, that harsh words accomplish only temporary results, that disturbed equilibriums are the direct result of discord, and while much is lost to the growing child of good, a great inharraony of thought creeps into his nature and stays.

So the less disturbance we have in the nursery, the less we shall be obliged to endure and overcome in the coming years.

Who can describe a feeling of discontent? Can you put on paper, and convey its meaning, what is felt by the bitterest hate or the truest love ? Then remember this: The growing child never reasons. The unfolding minds of young children feel more than their words express. Their lives are what they can see, feel, and "know. The expression of their feelings comes to them in an outburst of tears, anger or blissful, merry laughter.