Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1901 — Kindness Gives Satisfaction. [ARTICLE]

Kindness Gives Satisfaction.

If we take a selfish view only of doing helpful things for others we find sufficient reason; for it is a fact that a kindly action, kindly received, leaves in its wake a feeling of satisfaction and content. It is true, unfortunately, that neighborly acts are not always received in quite the spirit in which they are offered, but you cannot afford to lose your pleasure in proffering such acts even if your neighbor does receive it rather stiffly. Perhaps you have waited a little too long. And it is not the gift itself more than the pleasure of being remembered —the kind thought that prompts the gift. So a call and chat with a sick neighbor, the loan of a paper or book or the new pattern, may all count as gifts, and they count up so fast, if we only watch out for opportunities that we are amazed that they have ever been neglected by us. An Important question is “Who is thy neighbor?" Surely others besides your own intimate friends. I hold him great who, for Love’s sake. Can give with generous, earnest will; Yet he who takes for Love’s sweet sake, ffl I think I hold more generous still.