Article January 26, 1929 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from George H Morrison, John E. Lovejoy, Harold Leonard Bowman

[Editorial in the Herald, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada]

A show of kindness, in that kindness of appreciation, often means so much. It costs nothing; but how churlish some of us are in bestowing this meed of praise where it is due, which when bestowed is so helpful to some poor weary one, striving to do well. It means a great deal in life when it is genuine, and not merely complimentary for compliment's sake. A pat on the back, given with a genuineness which no words can convey, often means much in the life of the individual in urging him or her to persevere. It is a poor world in which the individual finds himself or herself with merited appreciation, and approval and appreciation withheld. Does not a word or show of appreciation and encouragement come like the "balm of Gilead" when it is spontaneously and genuinely given? Here, again, Christ [Jesus] taught us and showed us the way.

Christianity, in the manifold virtues which it inculcates, stresses consideration for others. And does not a word of kindly acknowledgment, a word of approval, showing a consideration, a taken of recognition, mean an oasis in the wilderness of life to many an individual? "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" is a call that is often needed and often denied. ... The gentle Christ [Jesus] went about doing good, breathing the spirit of encouragement, approval, and appreciation to all good and faithful Christian servants, true to the spirit as well as faithful to the tenets of the creed they profess. He cheered many a life, filled many with a new hope, gave to many a kindly sustenance in his kindly, loving sympathy with all the good and faithful. He gave it spontaneously, with that wonderful spirit by which he was at all times impelled. Well may we enter into his spirit and follow his example. There are occasions, just as with Christ [Jesus], where we can condemn. But there are just as many occasions, as with Christ [Jesus], when we can commend.

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