A New Society by Dora E. Henton

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 24, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 26.

A New Society.

By Dora E. Henton

ONCE upon a time there was a Woman who thought she saw the need of a new society in the church. The more she thought about it the deeper the impression became.

Believing firmly in the adage that “Charity begins at home,” she proceeded to organize the society and elect herself president, secretary, and manager.

The motto selected was, “Judge not, that ye be not judged;” the watchword, “Think no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil;” the object, “Kindly thoughts and kindly deeds.” With earnest prayer that she might live up to the high standard of the society, she endeavored to see good where before she had seen evil, and to manifest the same warm consideration for others she wished them to manifest for her.

It was wonderful, the change which soon became apparent in the brethren and sisters. Every one seemed to have a new experience; kindness and courage seemed prominent characteristics. It was so easy to see success where before she had seen only failure; kindness in place of criticism; earnestness instead of lukewarmness.

For a time she was the only member of the society, but as her own Christian experience deepened and expanded under the new impulses which the organization of the society brought, she told others of the joy and strength received from it. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, and were you to visit that church now, you would be led to exclaim: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Standing shoulder to shoulder, and seeing eye to eye, they are gaining a rich Christian experience for themselves; and their efforts in behalf of others are greatly blessed. So many blessings have come from it, the Woman is wondering why she never thought of it before. “It is better late than never.” Try it in your church and know for yourself the blessings it brings.

J. R. Miller, in the Household, has so beautifully expressed what the inner life is and the influence it has upon others: “It is the inner life that makes our world. If our hearts are sweet, patient, gentle, loving, we find sweetness, patience, gentleness, and lovingness wherever we go. If our hearts are bitter, jealous, suspicious, we find bitterness, jealousy, and suspicion on every path. If we go out among a people in a combative spirit, we find combativeness in those we meet. But if we go forth in a charitable frame of mind, with good-will in our hearts for all, we find brotherliness and cordiality in every man we come up to in our walks and associations.

“This is the secret of that fine art which some people possess of always finding good and beauty in others. They have goodness and beauty in themselves. There are such people, and there is no reason why we should not set this ideal for our lives.”

It is such a cheap kindness not to speak ill; it only requires silence. Sometimes the silence costs us a struggle, but the victory gained brings a peace which is well worth the effort.

May each coming day bring us courage and cheerfulness to take up anew the work of overcoming. May we forget the past, trust our heavenly Father for the future, and have that grace and serenity which come from doing each day that which we believe will please Him.

DORA E. HENTON.