p. 351 | A Valuable Secret

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 10, 1882

A Valuable Secret.

It is related of Franklin, that from the window of his office in Philadelphia, he noticed a mechanic among a number of others at work on a house which was being erected close by, who always appeared to be in a merry humor, and who had a kind and cheerful smile for every one he met. Let the day be ever so cold, gloomy, or sunless, the happy smile danced like a sunbeam on his cheerful countenance. Meeting him one day, Franklin requested to know the secret of his constant flow of happy spirits.

"It's no secret, doctor," the man replied. "I've got one of the best of wives, and when I go to work, she always gives me a kind word of encouragement, and a blessing with her parting kiss ; and when I go home, she is sure to meet me with a smile, and a kiss of welcome; and then tea is sure to be ready; and, as we chat in the evening, I find she has been doing so many little things through the day to please me, that I cannot find it in my heart to speak an unkind word, or to give an unkind look to anybody."

And Franklin adds:— "What an influence, then, hath woman over the heart of man, to soften it, and make it the fountain of cheerful and pure emotions. Speak gently then; a happy smile, and a kind word of greeting after the toils of the day are over, cost nothing, and go far toward making home happy and cheerful."