' And
without a word Tom went. Why? Just because his father showed so
plainly that he expected him to do the right thing. Suppose he
had said: 'Tom, I overheard what you said to your mother this
morning, and I'm ashamed of you. Go at once and fill that
woodbox!' I'll warrant that woodbox, would be empty yet, so far
as Tom was concerned!"
On and on read the minister--a word here, a line there, a
paragraph somewhere else:
"What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural
resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened. . . .
Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his
virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to
him his better self, his REAL self that can dare and do and win
out! . . . The influence of a beautiful, helpful, hopeful
character is contagious, and may revolutionize a whole town. . . .
People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts. If a
man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way,
too, before long. But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes--his
neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest! .
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