Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

by Kelly Miller; Joseph R. Gay

EVIL EFFECTS OF BAD EXAMPLE, ETC.

To spoil another’s life is almost as grave an act as to take it from him. Each one of us in a way holds the health and happiness of others in his keeping, and by bad example, ill-treatment or injustice may make life to some one so undesirable that death would be a pleasure. Many children have been made nervous wrecks by the mockery and cruel tricks of their companions, and many parents and teachers have had their health and happiness seriously impaired by disobedience and disregard. Life is forever imperiled by the wickedness, ignorance and thoughtlessness of those who, in their childhood, failed to receive the instructions due them by those who were responsible for their future being.

As a counterpart to this disposition of destruction we have in our nature a gentle, sympathetic tendency which will respect life and development and will guide us to its protection and care from the dropping of the seed to the harvest. Pity must be aroused when we see life endangered, not only at the misfortune of humanity, but even the wounded bird or the flower crushed by the storm should bring a responsive heart-throb.

Teach the child to straighten the broken flower and to replant and gently press the soil around the uprooted shrub. Notice the pleasure he will experience when the flower revives and the shrub takes root. How much greater will be his pleasure to minister to some living thing. Help him dress the broken wing of the bird and warm the chilled kitten; with what eagerness he will work only that they may recover.