Ladies' Column. Little Children and Old People.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1967, 14 February 1885, Page 6 (Supplement)

Ladies' Column. Little Children and Old People.

Tiiehe should be kept one big, aacied corner in every human heart for the littlo children and old people. They spem to be nearer heaven than persons in middle life. Two most lovable traits, kindness and truth, arc natural to both. And truly — " There is nothing so kingly as kindness ; And there is nothing so royal as truth." They don't wear masks, and we love them for it. There ia no pretension, no seeming to be what they are not. Natural, spontaneous, and free are all the actions of the little ones. Not alwayß smiles and good humor, of course. But who would want all sunshino and no Bhowers ? Monotony tires us. Tho thorn-covered bushes make the perfume of the roses none the less aweet. Pure, fresh, and joyous as the glad Bpiing time are the children; cheery as the birds, abounding with life, and happy in existence. Very baro and bleak and cold would this world be without them ; they kpep our hearts young and warm. Their presence i 3 a sort of fountain of youth whereby we keep from growing old. We can hardly imagine a person to bo good and noblo who has not some nook in his heart where often linger loving thoughts of some child. A house that does not have daily resounding through its rooms the silvery tones of a child's merry voice hardly deserves the name of home. And when thero are bo many homeless orphan waifs in the world no household hag any business to be without at least one child in it. And no home is completely and properly furnished, no matter how grand, tasteful, and costly it is, if some child be not a part of its furniture. Little children are the llowera, the poetry, the sweetness of life. Jesus wished to teaoh us something when PIo took the littlo ones in His arms and blessed them. All these little folks who are the coming men and women of the world, how carefully and wisely should they be guarded 1 All influence brought to bear upon them now will never be effaced, but the effects will be manifested in after life. And not less gently should we treat the dear old people. I mean the good old people who are " found in the way of righteousness, and whose hoary heads are crowns of glory." Their very presence seems to let fall a benediction upon us. The aged have so well been likened to our beautiful autumn -time, when — 4 The leaves kissed by the sun's bright raya ; Nodding farewoll to summer days : A serene stillness fills the air, Only a rastliug here and there, Softly murmuring through the trees, Low, sweet music borne ou the breeze. We wonder if each old treo grieves At losing its beautiful leaves. But the trce3 are not dead — they, like tho old people, have a life within that will some day open into new beauty, Now almost done with the work and worry of the heated summer-time of middle life, in the richness of their ripened years are ready for the deathangel to carry them to the happy harvest home. There has been tho May-day of young life ; the strife and bustlo of a later time ; and now tired of it all, calmly await the awakening into a renewed life, and to a higher, better work. It is a pleasure to be near those we love, and we want to draw very close to tho beloved aged ; put our hands caressingly, aye, reverently upon their heads and smooth down the grey hairs. Yes, the good old people and the little children — we love them both ; and pray Heaven to keep and bless them. And may our earth never be without their ben : gn presence and influence keeping our hearts tender and true.