People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1894 — THE WHEAT AND THE CHAFF. [ARTICLE]

THE WHEAT AND THE CHAFF.

There is an old tale of the gulden age days. When the gods with men parleyed sad moved. That a critic who dealt an blame and no praise Was once by Apollo reproved. The god handed back to the critical fool A handful of unwinnowed grains. Said he: “Leave the wheat, as seems ever your rule; You may have all the chad for your pains.” Now, this guide to your choice is suggestive today, Though told of a fabulous time, To any and all who its teachings obey In every country or clime. For the wheat and the chaff are mixed for us still As they were In those mythical grains; And if we choose now to see only ill, We shall have only that for our pains! All pathways are checkered. Gray shadows and night Alternate with the sun’s cheering rays. Our eyes grow accustomed to darkness or light As We fix upon either our gaze. And we can be clear-eyed, or we can be blind, As each one his vision so trains; If he chooses the dark need he wonder to find Be can see nothing bright for his pains! From the noisome swamps see the marsh lily lift Its delicate, queenly blue head; From water and slime and dark earth it will sift The nutriment best for its need. Poisons lurk in these things. It could draw evil thence As well as the good that it gains. Bhall it choose, then, those noxious elements whence Hurt and death will proceed for its pains? jtu our fellow-men are the elements mixed; Forever good mingles with sin. On their errors, their faults, shall we keep our gaze fixed, O’erlooking divine sparks within? Ah! a lesson in judging our frail brothers, then, We may learn from these fabulous grains. If we seek but the chaff, can ire fairly grieve when We receive only chaff for out pains? —Emily Q Adams, in N. Y. Sun.