A WORD TO THE GRANNIES.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 39, 22 December 1894, Page 16

A WORD TO THE GRANNIES.

“ In her tongue is the law of kindness.” —Proverbs. Dear Linda, — Two little , boys were once seen standing together, the one apparently in great trouble over some mishap, while the other seemed to be trying his best to comfort him. He did not, however, appear to be very successful in his endeavours, till a happy thought struck him, —and he said eagerly to his companion hae ye no a grannie ?” What the answer was I do not now remember, but evidently the young comforter had not the slightest doubt that if there was a grannie the difficulty would soon be solved. This little incident may lead to some useful thoughts to those of us who stand in that relation to our future men and women. Let us take the words quoted from the book of Proverbs for our motto. It is scarcely possible to estimate the power of kindness. By exercising it tow r ards the young, we gain their love and confidence, and opportunities of helping and advising them in a manner that may tell on all their future lives. We all know that grannies get the name of spoiling their grandchildren, and in some cases no doubt there may be truth in it. There is, I think, on the part of those advancing in years (if their life’s experience has taught them something of the Master’s spirit) more leniency and tenderness tow'ards the children than they had in early life. Young mothers, desirous of training their little ones well, sometimes go so rigidly by rule, expecting the desired results to follow without any difficulty, and they are distressed beyond measure when they find how much of human nature they have to cope with. Sometimes this leads to undue severity; w r hile the mother smarts under the disappointment. Later in life we begin to realise that though there are times when punishment is necessary, there are other times when it will do more good to teach the child how to resist evil and to love and copy what is right. If this is done in a loving spirit it will not be in vain. It is w r ell, too, that elderly people should take an interest in what interests and is safe for the young to engage in. Don’t let coming age sour us or make us disagreeable to the bright young spirits around us. If we expect ere long to reach the home of perfect love, let us be loving here — not like one about whom a littlegirl was heard to say—T don’t want to go to heaven if Aunt Janet is to be there,’ giving as her reason £ because she is so cross.’ In contrast to this I re-

member an old lady whom I, when a young girl, was taken to visit, and the memory of that visit is one of the pleasantest in a long life. She loved to have the young around her, took delight in seeing their handiwork with the needle, either of plain or fancy work, and did not look upon u he latter as trifling if the former had first place. I have also in my mind such another dear old friend of a later date with just the same warm, loving heart. I am sure in both cases the young of either sex would be pleased to have their counsel. Let ns, then, be patient and helpful to the young. Then, when age renders us less able to take an active part in life’s busy scenes, we may still be useful by pure and loving influence. We can, in looking over our past lives, see many blunders and not a little waywardness, which should lead us to bear with similar failings in the young, and give them a helping hand to fight their battles against all that is to be overcome, and God will bless us in this labour of love. A Grannie. Thank you, you dear Grannie, for your charming letter. I feel sure that others will read it with as much pleasure as I have done. When so many of the people around us are airing their grievances and riding their pet hobbies to death, it is very refreshing to receive a letter like yours—one which teaches naught but cheerful, loving trust and Christian forbearance. Linda.