Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

V

KINDNESS TO ANIMALS

(1) To those that serve us; (2) to those that do not harm us; (3) the birds, especial care in winter. Forms of kindness to others:

(1) Sympathy; (2) deference and consideration; (3) helpfulness; (4) charity.

No friend of mine, did one affirm,
Is he who would destroy a worm
Without a need or cruelly.

And this is right; so I shall be
To all dumb creatures very kind
And help in any need I find.

To mistreat birds I'm sure's a crime.
I'll feed them in the winter-time

And make them feel that I'm a friend
Who loves them for the songs they send.
The horse, the cow and all that serve,
I'll show the kindness they deserve;
And I shall try, in every way,
To show I'm grateful every day.
Like Walter Scott and Audubon
And others who by love were drawn

I shall make friends of beasts and birds

By kindly deeds and gentle words.

Have the children tell stories and incidents illustrating kindness to animals.

VI

LOVE

(1) For parents; (2) for brothers and sisters; (3) for others; (4) for benefactors; (5) for neighbors; (6) for God.

Love is the brightest glimpse of Heaven
That here on earth to us is given.
It helps to give our earthly home
A foretaste of the world to come.
And so I'll love my parents dear

And in their lives bring love's sweet cheer.
True love shall make me ever find
A way that's helpful, gentle, kind
Toward brothers, sisters, servants, all,
So that when home I shall recall,
With dear ones scattered far apart,
No bitter thoughts disturb my heart.
I shall make friends of all I meet
By being gentle, kind and sweet:
For 'tis the Bible that tells me:

"Who would have friends must friendly be."
And God, who is of love the source,
I'll always love and praise, of course;

But not in words, alone, I'll show
My love; but by my deeds He'll know
That this expanding soul of mine
Is ever moved by love divine.

Have the children tell stories and incidents illustrating love.

VII

TRUTHFULNESS

(1) In words and actions; (2) in keeping one's word (it is right to break a promise to do what is wrong); (3) telling what one does not know to be true; (4) the injustice and harm that may come from repeating rumor; (5) prevarication and exaggeration; (6) the giving of wrong impressions a form of falsehood; (7) telling falsehoods for fun.

The most important thing to youth
Is habit fixed of speaking truth.
If we do not acquire it then

It's hard to form when we are men;
And habits, forming as we grow,
Throughout our lives will plainly show.
And so I'll try by word and act
To always stick to what is fact.
I'll promise nothing that's not right;
But, promise made, I'll keep with might.
And I shall ever be discreet
When any rumor I repeat;

« ForrigeFortsett »