REUG\OUS AW> ^ ~ •1
M
ABF- '
ABBIE WALKER DANGERFIELD.
extracts on
Religious and Industrial
Training
by
A. W. Dangerfield
WASHINGTON, D. C.
1909
MURRAY BROS., PRINTERS
1733 7th Street, Northwest
Washington, D. C.
Copyright 1909, by Abbic W. Dangerfield.
INDEX.
Page
Biography 9
Temperance 11
Temptation 12
Deportment 16
The Path of Success, The Road to Damnation 18
Sonnet 18
The Coming Inauguration 20
Christ and Nicodemus 22
Patience 23
Liberty 24
Life 28
Jesus, I'll be with Thee all the while 30
Love 32
The Boy's Experience 32
Ambition • 34
The Young Man's Love 37
The Man's Dog 37
The Forgetful Boy 38
The Man who Didn't Like Money 39
Dedicated with deep regards which friendship claims
to my devoted Father.
INTRODUCTORY
THE} AUTHOR of this little book came within
my acquaintance not quite two years ago. The
impression then formed of him, as being a young
man of ambition, right purpose and exemplary con¬
duct, have been more than justified and fulfilled
during my short acquaintance with him. These
traits of character^ with that of a studious habit,
have borne their fruit in production of this little book.
The aspiration to "do things," as other people do
them, is always commendable, even though the
efforts pass for mediocre, since motive and intent
must always be given respectful consideration,
when judging the deed.
In this sense and light, therefore, with an eye not
too critical, we must read and judge of what he has
to say, and I wish commend and encourage a
friendly reception of his book by a reading public.
Feb. nth rgog.
JNO. T. C. NEWSOM.
PREFACE.
MY DIOAR READERS: I hope you will not be
deceived in this book. E}very word I tried to
let be instructive; may it do some good. This I
wrote as a. book for everybody, of every different
taste—prose, poetry, hymns and jokes. I know you
will see something- in here that will please you.
I call this my "lunch hour book," entitled
"Extracts on Religious and Industrial Training-,"
taking" in the subjects you will see by kindly turning
to the index. The reason I call it my lunch hour
book is because I wrote scarcely at no other time
other than my lunch hour which was set apart for
me. As soon as the whistle blew I would go up
stairs, drink my water, eat my bread, and back down
stairsl would go, as if I would be going to work
at my usual hour.
Try to pay strict attention to "Ambition;" it will
do you some good. I never wrote all of this for my
self but for everybody included.
I hope that no one's patience will be worried.
Read slowly and distinctly, you will understand it all.
Praying that God will be with you,
I remain vour brother in Christ,
ABBIE W. DANGER FIELD.
Biography.
1 was born in the village which was called
Barber's Cross Roads in Fauquier County, Vir¬
ginia. (But lately they have changed the name
lo Hume Post Office, Fauquier Co., Virginia)>
midway between Warrenton and Front Royal,
Virginia, in the year 1383 on the 17th day of
September.
I don-t know anything of my mother, as she
died when I was very young. Through my el¬
der brothers and sisters speaking so well of her,
I realize the fact that no mother's death was
harder to bear than hers. It was a sad time.
As a wife, she was loving and true to her hus¬
band. His coming to his meals was a source of
delight. She always greeted him with a smile,
when he approached. She made things so
pleasant that his life was spent very peacefully
and happily. It makes me fall in tears when I
think of how she was taken away from my father.
It isn't for us to be together always, but still we
can be joined in heart and hope to meet again
Her last days were her best. Her intense suff¬
ering was borne with Christian fortitude. She
died in good cheer in the spirit of the Lord.
They could see the Holy Ghost shed abroad in
her life. At three o'clock on a Sunday evening
she bid them all farewell. She shook hands
with time and went to her reward where the holy
angels awaiting her glad coming welcomed
her into the great white throne. No doubt
there was a clapping of hands, rejoicing of those
who had preceeded her. Her voice is still ; her
footsteps are heard no more ; a place is vacant
10
in our home which ne'er can be filled. To us
our loss is great, but an eternal gain to herself.
By the, help of the Lord, our father, though
broken down in grief, by good management
we got along very well. He gave us all a
chance to go to school. He has been a good
father. He always divided with us and would
go without himself-dividing his last quarter be¬
tween his children. His love for us was great.
He looked after us as a devoted father and good
provider, full of thrift and energy—striving all
the time to make home happy.
Two years after our mother's death, my father
was married again to Mrs. Annie Jones, his first
wife's sister. She loved us as a mother and
looked out for us as though we were her own
children; and anyone visiting our home did not
know the difference. She was endowed with
patience. I never saw her angry in my life. I
think some times that if anything should happen
to her, it would break my heart. She has fed
us when we were hungry, clothed us when
naked, and such a stepmother will never be for¬
gotten. She and my father have brought me to
this period by being strict. I know right from
wrong. My daily prayers are going up to
heaven asking the Lord to make me such a man
as I profess to be, and an humble and obedient
son, doing good unto all with whom I come in
contact. I feel that what I have done in the
past amounts to nothing, but it is my greatest
desire to do all in the future that I can for the
betterment of the mankind.
Temperance.
Temperance men and women,
Are what the world wants today,
Indulgent, we should not be
To strong drink of any kind.
To a step higher each day,
As we go through this busy world
Declaring unto all we meet
We belong to the temperance club
A true pledge we have made
A promise not to be broken
The gift of God we hold
To a better land on high.
It is my desire,
All to be members of the club,
A happy union we would have
When all be in as one.
No bar rooms could there be
No drunkards would you see.
A bank book they would have
By joinng the temperance club.
It is best for all to do
Firmly make up our minds
To make useful members,
By joining the temperance club.
We can be as secretary,
Or a position little higher,
Being punctual to our business,
By joining the temperance club.
So let us press upward and onward
To that sweeter throne on high,
Where duty never is waiting,
By joining the temperance club.
12
Success we will achieve,
Victory on every hand,
Prosperity we will have,
By joining the temperance club.
Old Satan he is after us,
To win us back in his fold,
Nothing but the grace of God I'll keep
By joining the temperance club.
Better we be,
Happier we'll feel
For all to rise and say,
They belong to the temperance club.
Temperance is good,
Trouble you are out,
Happy all your days,
By joining the temperance club.
Temptation.
"Yield not to telmptation, for yielding is sin."
"The wages of sin is death. And the gift of God
is eternal life." Temptation in a natural way
is that you want everything you see ; looking at
all going by. The Lord does not require that
of all of us. We never brought anything into
this world and I am quite sure we wont carry
anything out. He only put so much here for us
and that which we do not inherit, we have lo
toil for. And if we don't employ ourselves to
something useful, we cannot expect to have any¬
thing. All we get, we must work for. If we
are willing, the way is open. The Lord gives us
health and strength to accomplish. It is for us
to make the first effort. When we go forth and
try to secure work, then we wont have to be
13
tempted so much. We will be using our time
in work. And if our mind is on what we are
doing, then temptation will not overcome us.
But when you are out of employment and are
not successful, you find yourself looking for
something to do all the time. You are not satis¬
fied with folded hands. You are unhappy.
Your mind will soon be prone to wander, and
your hands tempted by everything. You will
have temptation at home and on the highway,
Fooling after everything which is not yours ;
meddling with everything you see. Your
hands will get so light, regardless of your usual
way of doing, knowing very well that trouble
will come of it. But not being satisfied with
the things you once were, these things have be¬
come such a temptation because old Satan has
got you on his side, tempting you through
everything you see.
Money is a temptation. It is as tempting as
anything you see. I have seen people before
now who could not bear to see money, unless it
tempted them. It is not good to be a lover of
money. It is a bad thing to love. The very
one that loves money so well is the one that
don't care so much to work. Now don't love
money. Don't love any money which is not
yours. It is nothing but a temptation and will
lead you to do evil. That is the reason why
our jails, workhouses and penitentiaries are so
crowded today on account of the temptation of
money. That is the worst policy you can
choose—to take what is not yours. You may
take from one another and think some one does
not see you, but the one above who cares for
us during the day and watches over us through
the night, the Eternal Father sees us and knows
our actions. Fie sees all. When we are not
watching Him, He is watching us. It behooves
14
all to be on our watch tower—watch as well as
pray. For fear that he might come and take us
in wrong doing. The Lord works in a mysterious
way His wonders to perform, He plants His
footsteps upon the sea and rides upon the storm.
I heard a story about an old gentleman once.
He helped a farmer to kill some hogs. He per¬
suaded him to put them in the barn for fear a
notion might strike him to come after one of
them during the night; so he said to this farmer,
"I think you had better lock them on the inside.
So the farmer never thought anything and said,
"well they are green, I will leave them on the
outside and they will dry tonight and in the
morning they will be ready to cut up." The
old gentleman bade them all good night and
walked towards his home. In the still hour of
midnight, when no one was around, he came
back, thinking he was clear by persuading the
farmer not to leave them out. He unwrapped
the gadding stick, straddled the hog, took hold
of his shoulder. He got along all well until he
got to a fence. "Ha," said he, "I've got some¬
thing to eat now." He stepped back six or nine
inches and made a leap to get over. He made
it alright himself but the hog hung on the other
side. He struggled and struggled to get
over but the more he struggled the worse it was
on him. Finally he was choked to death.
The next morning the old gentleman was
missing from home, and from his work. They
started at once to look for him and succeeded in
finding him at the spot where life was made ex¬
tinct.
See what temptation does and the result of it.
That old gentleman yielded to temptation which
led to his death. Oh, what a disgrace! What
a horror to end one's life in such a way. Re-
15
member the passage, "Yield not to temptation,
for yielding is sin, each victory will help you
some other to win." We should keep our eyes
upon the Day Star which shines forth upon us
all. It means in these words, do the right thing
always. Go out and convince sinners that they
are in the wrong path. Try to lead them into
the light. If we fail to do this, we will be over¬
come by temptation. We will not be doing
what is right. "Search the Scriptures for in them
ye have eternal life." Wherever thou art weak
and need assistance you can find the same in
the Scriptures. The strong should not oppress
the weak ; they should teach them how to pray
and what to pray for. It is so easy to yield to
temptation. Iam praying every day ; I am so
afraid I'll be led astray into temptation. I am
asking my Lord to keep me near the cross for
old Satan is after me on every side. This is a
hard battle to fight. There is no rest for one
until he scales the mountain and gets to his
heavenly home. We often sing the hymn,
"There is rest for the weary," but it is over on
the other side where the tree of life is bloom¬
ing, there is rest for you. I'm looking forward
to that great time. I'm packing up daily.
Every good word I hear, every good movement
I see, I am going to write it down in my mem¬
ory which I'll never forget. We should try to
keep away from all evil which leads to tempta¬
tion. It is a matter of necessity which we
should try to observe. This is the time in which
we should do all the good possible. This is a
civilized world in which we have freedom
and liberty and where industry abounds. We
have our colored doctors, lawyers, poets, den¬
tists and missionaries, who have achieved great
success.
16
Deportment.
Deportment means behavior, which all of us
should qualify at home. We should conduct our¬
selves to the best of our ability, so that we may
be trusted at home and abroad; and if we fail at
home, it is also expected away. Home is the
place for your training. Charity starts at home.
I do love to see smart little children. I think
home is such a comfort. When the little ones do
as they ought, obey their parents, love their
brothers, and sisters, honest and kind-hearted.
There is where deportment begins. When you
are small and you do not know anything more
than to obey your parents, "a stitch in time saves
nine." Train a child up when he is small;
it saves worry and trouble. There is not
anything like home training. The best thing on
earth is a good name. "A good name is rather to
be chosen than great riches." I had rather be a
poor boy and have a good name than to be a rich
boy with a bad reputation. It is much better to
have a good name. Your light will always shine;
it will be peace and happiness with you. Always
your path will be paved with nothing but success,
and your home-coming a source of pleasure to
your mother and father when you enter therein.
Glad tidings will always exist and you will be
looked upon as an angel from heaven. It is a
grand thing to be good; and that is what the
world wants to-day; honest men and women who
can hold high the banner of intelligence. Who
are occupying their time trying to do right. That
is what I mean by deportment. Conducting your¬
self at home, in the street, in your occupation and
everywhere. Conduct yourself at home, always
17
show a willing way, let your days be spent in
something useful; obliterate your mistake. If
you do anything that is not right to-day, try to
correct it to-morrow.
We can look so far in the past, but not one
moment in the future, but we can say we want
to do better in the future than we have ever in
the past. Oh, we can accomplish so much; it is
so much more we can learn; there is something
new every day; as each day slides by there is a
new day appears. As the old year dies out, the
new year brings bliss, joy, and comfort so that
is the way with every individual. Every day is
looked upon to bring forth happiness so we can
be tormented. What I mean by "being tor¬
mented," is being idle, not conducting yourself
as you should, not preparing for to-morrow. Idle
at home and on the pathway. I say to you, "My
friends, do not be ille. Conduct yourself from
an idle state. Idleness is nothing but the
'Devil's workshop,' that lacks the mighty winds
of the air which keep the country rocking to and
fro ; it steals on real pleasure, leaving nothing but
want and misery behind." An idle man or woman
is like a flower. The Morning Glory for instance;
in the morning it flourishes and in the evening it
is cut down and withers away to nothing. It is
better to be looked upon as somebody than to be
down .trodden as nobody. We have some great
men and then we have some men, their
mothers and fathers have struggled hard to raise
them and they have made a pretty good start to
a good mark, but finally fall into bad company,
regardless of all persuasion the parents might
make, and finally they fall and fall, until no other
place suits him but the prison bars. Oh, what a
dreadful ordeal it is to be led astray. Human
nature teaches us to pick our company as well as
18
our books. Learn to labor and wait, finally we
succeed to a better land on high, where sickness,
sorrow, pain and death are never felt and feared
no more. Deportment is like the fruit tree, for if
you do not work on it or notice it, it won't
amount to a great deal. It is like everything else
it needs attention so that is the way with deport¬
ment in raising a child up from its birth and ad¬
minister correction when necessary.
This is the fundamental principle upon which
the success of all men and women depend.
Sonnet.
" For the world is anxious to employ
Not just one, but every one,
Whose heart and brains will e'er be true
To work his hands shall find to do.
Honest, faithful, earnest, kind,
To good awake, to evil blind."
The Path to Success: The Road to
Damnation.
Ladies and Gentlemen :
What is our object in the future? Just con¬
sider ! Think to yourselves! What a peace of
joy to be on the smooth side! What a lead of
trouble on the rough side! It is much better to
walk straight and keep in the narrow path that
leads from earth to bright glory, then walk in the
19
road to damnation where you will be damned for¬
ever.
I say to you, "Are you willing to succeed?
What is your object in the future? Isn't it to
elevate yourself of the highest caprice to a mark
of high calling?"
The world is calling to-day for such people that
can hold high the banner of fame. Stand up!
Be intelligent!
Be intelligent! Be more thrifty! Strive to
support your home!
When you do that, you will be doing our
Master's will. Oh, what a privilege we have to
be generous in a genial spirit. Isn't it better to
have a home to go to than to stay in the street all
night? To have the doors thrown wide open to
you, than to be shut in your face? If you walk
straight, keep in the path, the door will be open;
welcome when you enter; kind words be spoken.
If you do not use the straight path, it is too nar¬
row ; the way is too smooth; the associates are of
a too high class and you imagine to yourself that
the world is no friend to you; that you are bound
in chains and that the path which once you had
been accustomed to walk in was too narrow. You
are not satisfied until you get in the road, the road
to damnation, in which you have the free privi¬
lege of enjoying the world, going to balls,
theatres, bar-rooms, saloons, pool and billiard
parlors.
This is not right my friend; the safest plan I
say is the path to success where victory is
achieved on every hand, where you are coming
and going. Every time you come in it is peace;
peace when you go out, peace with all mankind
^nd best of all, it is peace with the world.
But when you are not treading the path to suc¬
cess, you are on the downward road to damna-
20
tion; when you come in it is trouble; when you
go out it is trouble; trouble to the family, trouble
to the world and worst of all you are a trouble to
yourself.
Your days are spent in idleness, which will
wind up in something- of little value. I tell you
friends, the path is the best place yet. I had
much rather have the path; the road is too wide
to have room enough to wheel backwards and
forwards; the path is narrow and straight, and to
Glory Land it leads. The road is crooked and
wide and unto damnation it goes.
The Coming Inauguration.
The Inaugural Day is coming,
The program has been arranged
When Judge Taft will be seated
As the President of the U. S.
2
A large crowd is expected
The streets will be thronged
With people from every State,
In sorts of shapes and forms.
21
3
There never was planned such a time
As the Fourth of March will be,
When the Capital will seat
Our new President of the U. S.
4
From Secretary he has gone,
To President he is elected,
To overlook the country,
As it never was before.
5
The first time he will be
Looked upon as a chief
In all the days of hi9 life,
A greeting from all he meets.
6
Over the country he will go,
Addresses he will make,
Doing good unto all he sees,
A better country this will be.
7
Four years he will serve,
In the Presidential chair;
From all over the country
Distinguished visitors he will receive.
8
His family they will be,
As the occupants of the White House,
The sightseers will all be pleased
To meet the President's wife.
22
Christ and Nicodemus.
"You must be bom again."
He said unto His only begotten Son. Those
who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ must have
an everlasting life. You have got to be born
again. Without a changed heart you cannot be
saved. He stands at the door and knocks. "Lo,
I am with you always." Seek and ye shall have
the gift of God and eternal life. All you have to
do is to repent and believe and you shall be saved.
None but God's children shall ever enter the
Kingdom of Heaven. Before the twinkling of an
eye, He can save you; yes, even in a moment.
You have got to be made over. A change has got
to take place in your heart. You have got to be
made anew to shine like a morning star. You
must be born again. Without a change of
heart, you cannot be saved. You must
be born again. All you have to do is to
have the belief in your heart and confess with
your mouth and you shall be saved. Jesus died
to save us all, so we might have eternal life. You
have got to be born again. An alteration has got
to take place. Your eyes have got to be opened;
your soul made light; an entirely new man all
around. You have got to start a new life. Yon
have got to do unto your fellow men as you
would have them do unto you. You have got to
be in peace with all mankind. You have got to
get down on your knees and give your heart to
God and have the belief that He will save you.
You have got to put your trust in Him and ask
23
Him in earnest if there is a Jesus let Him come
and save you now before it is everlastingly too
late.
Don't forget, you have got to be born again.
Without a change of heart you cannot be saved.
I am so glad I know for myself and not for
another that I've been changed, newly born again,
washed in the blood of the lamb.
The Lord, one year ago, shook my dungeon
and my chains fell off. I have anchored my soul
in the haven of rest. I am not afraid of dying.
If the Lord calls me now, I'll be ready to go to
the haven of rest, where congregations never
break up and Sabbath has no end. I only wish
the sinners who have been walking so long in the
dark will turn their backs to the world and come
to the precious fountain which runs freely for us,
all and cry out that they have found Jesus the
best friend who promises that He will never for¬
sake us on the sixth day and on the seventh He
will not leave nor forsake,us.
Patience.
No characteristic under the sun
Is more effective in all the universe,
Than the quality of being patient
With one another.
2
Patience we must have,
Patient all must be,
If we want to g"et along
We must be patient all the way.
24
3
Patient with our people,
The best we can perform,
To deal gently all the time,
Patience, I'll tender thee all.
4
The importance at home,
The accustomed way of doing",
By patience they have succeeded,
A comfort all the time.
Ring the bell for freedom. There is a rejoice
to-day of every individual who once was bound
a slave. Now freedom has been proclaimed and
we are out of the rock of bondage in which our
fathers and forefathers were bought and sold to
white men as slaves, or more so as the white man
to-day sells his cattle at public auction to the
highest bidder. I am so glad that day has been
passed. Freedom is now ours. We are treating
ourselves ill if we do not grasp the opportunity
which has been granted to us from above. We
should use every moment of our spare time in a
profession of some kind. Our mothers and
fathers love to see their children after they reach
the age of twenty-one years study their own in¬
terests, manifest beneficial time. The time is now
ours. Slavery is no more in existence. Freedom
has been proclaimed. Just make use of it. See
25
how high we can climb, how much good we can
amount to. As the poet says:
" We are but a short time here,
Our days glide swiftly by."
Success will be ours if we just put our minds
to it. Put on a new, fresh courage and the whole
armor of faith. We can do it if we want to. I have
never seen the time fail yet to be unsuccessful if
we go after it in earnest like we want to do it—
we are mighty apt to get somewhere on the way.
Try and do better the next time. Finally, and
we pull out all right. This is a free country.
Freedom abounds. It doesn't require an}' one to
stand over us; but in the days gone by when our
masters had to go with us, and come with us, so
afraid we might get away. I am so glad that the
bell of freedom has-been rung; that we are out
for our own selves. That we have the free privi¬
lege of buying and selling whatever we want, go¬
ing anywhere we choose, educating the children
as we like, raising anything we want; well, in
fact, getting everything which is handed down
to us from above. What better do we want?
Every advantage is afforded us. Why not make
use of it? We are free. We are no slaves. We
are not under no one. Freedom, freedom is ours.
Freedom has been proclaimed. It has been forty
years since we were under bondage. It was be¬
fore my time, but I've heard my father speak so
often about slavery, I imagine how it was. I
know it was pretty tough. I feel like I am
blessed to be free from under the yoke of bond¬
age, and to-day I feel like pressing my way up¬
ward and onward. Each day more and more I'm
trying to accomplish. I'm taking example from
the ploomy heads; I'm noticing every turn they
make, and every move, putting it down in this
skull of mine. Free people we are. We have a
26
right to notice the grown folks. They can learn
us a great deal, no matter if they were slaves and
we are free born. Lots on lots they can teach us.
We have had all the advantages in school, but
still some of us haven't nearly as much sense as
the older ones. Our mothers and fathers can
teach us more in one day than we can learn in
one month. The reason is this. They have been
through slavery. They have heard the winds
blow. They have seen the storm rage. They
have seen the times when the women folks had to
truck out in the harvest fields the same as a man;
had to go out in the woods after kindling—no
stoves in that time, the bread cooked in the fire¬
place. Cotton fields were in rage. So much cot¬
ton had to be picked and the hardships you had
them all to bear; but to-day freedom has been
proclaimed. The bells of liberty still ring in the
heart. Rejoicing to-day that slavery is over with,
freedom is now theirs. No talk whatever of race
riot. They are going to stay in peace with all
mankind. They are so glad that this is a free
country. Rights have been planted in their hearts.
No thoughts whatever of committing crimes,
making rapes, snatching pocket books, stealing
from one another, liaring on one another, and go¬
ing into one another's trunks. All that is done
through our young people. That is the reason
I say the old can teach the young. Got more
sense than the young ones, some of them ever will
have. Our young ones don't give a thought until
jail bars are before them, workhouse stripes they
are wearing, or penitentiary key is turned on
them for life time journey. We can mighty easily
get into trouble, but it takes a long time to get
out. Now, friends, stay out of trouble. Listen
to the older folk. Stop, think for one minute that
this is a free country. We have not got to be
27
bound underneath any one. No policeman has
got to have us in charge. No right have we to
dodge them if we behave ourselves and do what
is right. We can always face the policeman, look
at him, and speak if we choose. He isn't going to
bother us. He will be delighted to see us if we
look like we did not mean to do anything, bother
anyone, but mind our own business and leave the
other people alone. T^iit when you are dodging
—keeping out of his way all the time, he mighty
soon says, that person isn't right. He has done
something that wasn't right. He is afraid of me.
Guilty conscience shows for itself. I was pass¬
ing up Eleventh Street one night, and as I passed
the policeman spoke to me and I spoke to him.
He said to me: "You haven't been here long, have
you? I impressed upon him. "Why?" he said.
"Well, I know you haven't." ■
"Why do you say so, Mr. Policeman?" He
said: "Well, I tell you the ones that have been
here for a good while, whenever they see me they
turn and go down another way. They either did
something or have a mind to do something and
they are afraid I might see them. That's the
reason," he addei, "I know you haven't been here
long."
I said: "If I stay here my lifetime I will be the
same way as I am to-night. This is a free country.
I'm not bound under any one. I'm not ashamed
to pass you. Peace is with me all the time."
I know what it was once upon a time when our
forefathers had to obey or forty lashes they
would get, but that time is done away with; now
freedom we have. We belong to ourselves. We
are trying to live in peace, to be free from the
prison bars and consecrated in the religious walls.
We are going to be educated to our best ability.
We want to send out lawyers, doctors, ministers,
28
professors and poets. We are striving daily to
make use of this free time which has existed for
years. Let our sojourn be successful from the
cradle to the grave. Never look back, but say:
"Well spent life is done; he has finished his
course; he has fought a good fight, the victory is
won and the crowning day has come. His soul
has gone to rest to try the other realities in a far
unknown world, where every day will be Sunday,
and he will drink from the fountain that never
runs dry." The words over the remains will be:
"Loved in life, remembered in death. He's
gone but not forgotten. His name will live
forever. Sleep on and take thy rest. God has
called thee home. He knows it's best. It's God's
will, not ours. His will must be done." My
dear friends, that's the result if you have the good
will of every one. Live to the ten command¬
ments, do the Lord's will, be a free person all the
way, walk out in the sunlight of the gospel. Let
your life be like a burning lamp. Always carry
sunshine with you everywhere you go; always be
ready to contribute and willing to do what you
can. Never let a word of anger escape your lips
nor a look of frown blemish your face.
Life.
Life is a pleasure,
Isn't it true;
A good health you are in,
And all the riches are yours.
29
2
Coming and going
Nothing is said,
Working all the time,
Plenty to eat every day.
3
The room always warm,
A comfort you see,
A fat turkey on the table,
With plenty of gravy in the pan.
4
A pocket book you keep,
Money jingling and rattling,
Nickels, dimes and pennies,
A counting all the time.
5
Money to loan,
- Money to burn,
Money in the bank,
Money all around.
6
A place to go,
Good treatment you get,
A sociable time be yours,
When kind things are said.
7
Here and there,
Hither and thither,
Making and spending
Good and bad all the time.
30
8
A church you are in,
Church all the time,
A church you are going to.
When nowhere else to go.
9
Work you are in,
The best thing in life,
The devil trying to get you
As sure as you are born to die.
10
Eating and sleeping,
Loving and true,
Acting and performing,
And sunshine all the time.
Jesus, I'll be with Thee All the While.
(Hymn.)
Jesus, I'll be with Thee,
I'll be with Thee,
I'll be with You
All the while.
Chorus.
I am ready,
I am ready,
I am ready, just now,
I am ready all the time.
31
2
I will go, Yes;
I will go, Yes;
I will go at any time;
I'll be with you all the while.
Chorus.
3
I will follow,
I will follow,
I will follow; Yes, I will follow,
I'll be with you all the while.
Chorus.
4
On the way from earth to glory
I will follow all the while,
Going no way but the straight way,
I'll be with you all the while.
Chorus.
5
I am trusting,
I am trusting,
I am trusting all the time,
I'll be with you all the while.
Chorus.
6
I have accepted,
I have accepted,
I have accepted, long ago,
I'll be with you all the while.
Chorus.
32
The Boy's Experience.
There was once a young boy who wanted to
join the church. He gave his testimonial. The
preacher said: "Well, brother, yoiT say you have
been saved from your sins?" "Yes, sir," he said.
"Well, how do you know you have?" "Because,"
he said, "I felt like a lizard. I like tcr laughed
myself to death." "Is that the way you know you
have been converted?" "Well, I felt so good I
started to shout. I jumped up. The first thing I
knew I jumped over grandma's stove. A kettle
of water was on the stove, and I burnt my little
toe." The preacher said: "You had better take
him in before he gets happy again. He might
jump over into the pool of water and then we will
lose our contributions." "Take him in," they
shouted. I know- they were not very long en¬
rolling his name.
Love.
Love is powerful,
He whips you if he can.
Love is an invisible being;
We can feel but we cannot see it.
2
Love is the chain of golden clasps,
That binds our hearts together.
Love is the chain that marries many
Before they are even ready.
33
3
Love is the chain that steals upon
Many young men and women;
Love is the knot that ties you
Into the holy bonis of matrimony.
4
Love we start with,
Love we must keep;
Love if we don't be,
Divorce if we can.
5
Old time love
Is the best love yet;
Six months' love wears out
Just like a five cent handkerchief.
6
Just love our neighbors
As we do ourselves;
Just try and see
If we be loved.
7
Our mother's love
Is the best love yet;
It's the old-fashioned love
That never die out.
8
Mother will love
When you fall out with yourself;
Mother will stand by you
Until she's sick herself.
3i
Ambition.
Nothing attached to a young man is more be¬
coming than ambition. I think that is all in all.
When you are determined, when you are in
earnest and have the get-up in yourself an am¬
bitious man will always get along, because he's
looking for something to do all the time, no mat¬
ter what it may be. He always shows a willing
way. He starts at it if he don't know much about
it; and if he fails he always tries again. He is
doing something all the time. While the other
people are asleep he is stirring around, studying
all the time the best for him to do; on nettles
while he's waiting. He never knows what an idle
moment is. So, young woman, I say to you, if
you ever marry, let your choice be an ambitious
man. If he is a little homely it's better to marry
one full of ambition than a handsome one—no
pride, full of stupidity; because you will both lots
times go without a handkerchief to wipe your
nose on; he won't have a five cents in his pocket
—I won't say pocket book, one of them would
scare him. A pocket book isn't any good if you
haven't got anything to go in it. What's the good
of a piano if you haven't got anyone to play it.
It is the same way with a pocket book—no use
carrying one, because it might drop down your
breeches legs through the rags. You cannot be
no other way but a ragamuffin if you are stupid—
no ambition or wake-up in you. What more can
you expect, to see a button drop off your clothes
and you be too lazy to stoop down and pick it
up ? The same way with a hole in the seat of your
breeches, knowing all the time that you are
ragged and in need; but letting it run on from
05T
t)U
time to time until you are ashamed of your own
self, much more the other people ashamed of you.
You soon become worthless. Nobody wants a
stupid person around them; I don't—I have had
experience. I worked with them. One of them
got so lazy he wanted me to feed him. I imagine
I can see him walking around now—too worth¬
less to stand up. Oh, such a man. He isn't much
good. He won't benefit the country a bit. Will
he? Many times he is in his own way and gets
fretted at his own self. Same way, young man,
about marrying a young woman. Never let
beauty set your hair wild. It is best to
find a girl out at home. Don't say any¬
thing, but notice every turn she makes at
home, every move. If she's of a mild dis¬
position, full of ambition, loving and devoted to
her mother and father, doing all the time to make
home happy, that's the place to find them out, be¬
cause home is the foundation of a girl's training.
She may be a little homely. Her hair little nappy.
Here's the first question a young girl or young
man asks these days when hearing of any one:
"What, has she, Jesus, lover of my soul (hair) ?"
No, that won't do. Here's what you must ask:
"Is she a nice girl? Has she sweet, amiable
ways ? Is she industrious, and is she kind to her
mother and father?" That is the way you ought
to approach. Watch her disposition, for if you
don't notice such moves, and love her for her
beauty you will be sorry for it. They are the very
ones that fool you sometimes. No ambition.
Some of them have to get up and get you a glass
of water. It seems like they think they are too
good to work. They want some one to wait on
them instead. Lots of them get fooled—get
stuck on a young woman and marry her. They
think the companion is going to truck out for
36
your whole living. They think they are going to
live on nothing but flowery beds of ease. Think
they won't have to have any ambition or wake-up
in themselves to help get along. In a course of
years (I won't say a course, two years) the hus¬
band might get disabled after working hard. He
comes home some time and says: "Where is my
wife?" Seeing some old, slovenly person in the
corner, he says: "Helen, is that you ? What have
you been doing all day? Your hair hasn't been
combed?" "Well, I never had any one to comb it
for me. I didn't feel like putting on a clean
apron." From seven o'clock in the morning till
six in the evening making up one bed. Clothes
still on the floor and the water in the kettle has
boiled away. The room which once looked like a
palace is on the road to destruction, and the wife
who once used to be the "belle" is fading away,
simply on account of not being raised up with
much ambition. On account of her beauty, the
mother and father worked hard to keep her in
sufficient clothes and to educate her; but, some¬
how or another, being spoiled, not raised up
to work or to be ambitious to do, the' husband is
greatly fooled. It is always best to notice her
charity, for charity is before beauty. But when
you are successful in finding someone equal to
your ideal ambitions—together, working hand in
hand with each other, your life will be a happy
one when you meet sorrow. When you go out
with a kiss, telling each other "good-bye," it is
something pleasant when they meet again. The
husband will do his level best to please his wife,
and the wife will do all she can to please him. I
know life is a pleasure when ambition exists,
Avhen both are ambitious, working all the time,
doing all they can to get along. Love grows for
one another as they grow older. The love will
37
continue. The longer married the more they love,
and in the course of twenty years from the mar¬
riage the love will just begin, and if they live to
get feeble and disabled there that's where the love
will be ambitious. All the way they worked in an
ambitious way together, and finally at the end or
the last days they wound up with a plenty of
everything. Now, that's the way, my dear
friends, let your last days be your best.
The Young Man's Love.
A young man went to see a young lady once.
He didn't know anything to say, so he said:
"Miss, I love you." She said: "Why do you say
you love me, Sam?" He said: "I feel a stinging
in my heart. It feels like a turnip with no salt
on it." "Is that so?" she said. "Ha! ha! ha!
He! he! he! First time I have heard that. Ha!
ha! ha!"
The Man's Dog.
There was a man; he had a dog named Tip.
His wife wanted to play a joke of some kind on
him. His wife knew he was very fond of raccoons
38
and opussums, so while he was away one day
she cooked the dog, Tip, and put it on the table
for his lunch. When he came he sat down to eat,
knowing no difference. He enjoyed it until he
went to feed the dog. He called for Tip. His
wife said: "You are eating Tip and calling Tip."
He fainted right there and he never came to until
his wife bathed his hands with warm water. Then
he jumped up and said: "I've killed the possum,
now."
The Forgetful Boy.
A lady sent z. boy to the store on an errand one
day. The boy was mighty forgetful, so she said:
"Son, I want a package of coffee, the eggs are
in there on the table." The boy said: "Yes,
ma'm; I will go." So he went and got his basket.
The mother said: "Now, what are you going to
get, son?" "Mamma, didn't you say a ripe
tomato?" "No, son; a package of coffee." "Oh!
yes," he said, "a package of coffee." "Yes, make
haste, I want it." "All right, ma'm; I will bring
the black pepper back." "Black pepper, boy?"
she said, "Can't you remember, coffee? I tell
you how you must remember it. Every breath
you draw you must say coffee." So the boy com¬
menced. He said "Coffee! coffee!" every time he
would draw his breath, until he came to a branch.
When he stepped back to jump over he forgot—
and then he commenced saying, "Branch! branch!
branch!" So he went to the store and asked the
39
lady for "branch." The lady thought he had
reference to ammonia, because it looked some¬
thing like water. He said: "No, ma-m; that isn't
what I want; I want something that looks like a
green walnut, only it's brown; what you sweeten
coffee with." At that time coffee came to him.
They all had a big laugh over it. The boy started
to laugh, and when he laughed he sneezed, and
the package of coffee burste'd in his hand. He
said: "Oh! look at the grains of ginger on the
floor."
The Man Who Didn't Like Money.
There was a young man who was raised by the
white folks. He didn't know what money was.
The white folks died. He went over to the next
door neighbor and worked for him. The farmer
noticed he was in need, so he said: "James, I'm
going to pay you." James said: "No, you won't;
I want no pay. It works me hard to step over
rocks, much less to carry them in my pocket."
The farmer paid him anyhow; so he left. He
wouldn't work for him no more. He said he
didn't want to cut his fingers off with white
rocks.