A DAILY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1928, Page 1

A DAILY MESSAGE

IF !

1 i.n.UiNKi) something to-day that I shall never forget, and that is, that the little word *• if ” is one of tin mightiest words in our language. Eighteen interviews have crowded themselves into mv day. and, as the last one closes, there comes the realization that If has been the keynote of every story. “If.” “if.” “ iif.”—all day long ii ! ” Mow il seems to have woven itself into the l very fabric of human destiny. “If I had only understood,” said the young widow this morning—- “ If only mother had lived,” said the youth a litile later—- “ If I could only get work,” was the cry of half a dozen—- “ if I had only taken the old man’s advice,” said another—“lf 1 had only fitted myself for a better job ” “ II I luvlii’t squandered my youth” “If I could only get another chance ” “If volt would only help me” “I f I could only toll him I hat I understand ” "If she only understood “ ••l)h! If only it was not too late!’ If —if— if magical, momentous, mighty IF. How it winds iiseli around human lives ! “ If” speaks in the voice ol hope, in the cry of despair, in the anguish of regret.

“ If” is embosomed in success and entwined about failure. " If” hides the secret ol lilo. “ || ” i.s a little word with a migluy task.

—M. PRESTON STANLEY.