| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 2 |
Page 4 |
We are continually meeting those who are discouraged, who have fallen under the shadow of misfortune, who have done wrong, perhaps, and are suffering in reputation, or who have been unjustly treated and are enduring the sting. These are the persons to whom our love should go out in words of hope and cheer, instead of blame. James Whitcomb Riley teaches the lesson in his well known lines: *
“When over the fair fame of friend or foe
The shadow of disgrace shall fall, instead
Of words of blame or proof of thus and so,
Let something good be said.
“Forget not that no fellow being yet
May fall so low but love may lift his head;
Even the cheek of shame with tears is wet
If something good be said.
“No generous heart may vainly turn aside
In ways of sympathy; no soul so dead
But may awaken strong and glorified,
If something good be said.
“And so I charge ye, by the thorny crown,
And by the cross on which the Saviour bled,
And by your own souls hope of fair renown,
Let something good be said.”
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