Love, Honor and Reverence
He has then learned to join to pity those activities which constitute mercy. It will then be an easy matter for him to care for the sick and infirm, to see for the blind, to hear for the deaf and to walk for the lame. Let them lift the burden from the shoulders of the aged who have “blazed the trail” and made possible our present benefits. To them all love, honor and reverence is due. It is said, “old men for counsel, young men for action.” Necessarily, the old engineer who has been going over the road for many years knows more of the dangerous grades and uncertain curves than the strong young man who is to take the throttle from the trembling hand, and who will be assured of success if he has learned the lesson of wisdom in respecting the counsel of the aged.
It is a mistaken idea to shield children from all knowledge of misery and suffering. It is not those who are blinded to suffering who experience the greatest amount of joy in life, but the acme of joy comes to those who have relieved some suffering. It is not always possible to do great acts of charity, but it is an easy matter to give the kind word or smile that may turn the tide which will convince some one that life is worth while. It has been our experience that children may be taught the elementary principles of nursing to a very great advantage. The knowledge of diet and hygiene enables them not only to care for others, but is applicable to their own bodily needs. The quiet step, the gentle voice, the self-control necessary to the care of the sick, and the respect due the physician and patient, are all good lessons in his early moral and mental training.