J.—JOAN OF ARC.
JOAN OF ARC, as we call her in English; Jeanne D'Arc, as she was called in her native country; "The Maid of Orleans," as she is called in history, was the daughter of a French peasant. In her childhood and through her girlhood she was often employed in tending sheep, and so lived much alone. She grew dreamy and imaginative; and her young heart was much given to religious exercises. It is said that she used to spend hours at her devotions, and when she was thirteen years old her mind had dwelt so much upon the superstitious legends of those days that it was not strange she should in one of those exalted moods of religious fervor imagine that she had a vision, and heard voices speaking to her of the wonderful exploits she was to achieve. The people among whom she lived were ignorant and superstitious, and could very easily be made to believe in anything which had a tinge of the supernatural. Mythical stories of the saints, accounts of the doings of fairies and demons were told around every fireside, and the children eagerly drank in the strange tales. What you boys and girls would turn away from with a decidedly skeptical shrug of your shoulders, declaring, like a boy I know, "Ghost stories are no good!" these children of a dreamy, visionary people drank in as truth, and very solemn truth too. And so when Joan, walking in the shadow of the chapel, fancied she heard a voice and saw a great light, or when standing at the altar of the Catholic church she imagined the pictures of the saints coming out of their frames speaking to her, it is not surprising that the people of that neighborhood believed she really saw and heard these things. And when she imagined that she heard St. Michael speaking to her and telling her that she was sent to deliver her country from the English, some of the people believed it—but it appears her father with more practical sense than the others declared it was only a delusion, and sought to convince her of the absurdity of her wild idea. But she could not be persuaded out of it, and at length when she was twenty years old the king hearing of her and of what she considered her mission, sent for her and placed her at the head of the French army. A number of curious things are said to have occurred upon the occasion of her interview with the king. For one thing she recognized him at once among his courtiers though she had never seen him before. Then she told him of a certain sword hidden in an old chapel which it was necessary to bring out for her use, though it is said she never struck a blow; she only led the army, so I suppose an old rusty sword would do as well as any.
The city of Orleans was besieged by the English. This city was a stronghold of great importance to the French, but the starving inhabitants saw no hope of relief and would very soon have been forced to surrender. But Joan, the peasant girl, mounted upon a white horse, and wearing a suit of glittering armor, rode boldly forward until they reached the city. The French soldiers were so inspired by her courage that they fought their way bravely and the English on the contrary were frightened. Believing this young girl to be a witch, they were easily overcome, though their commander declared that her pretensions as to having had a revelation from heaven were all nonsense. But you see the English soldiers were superstitious as well as the French. And doubtless it was partly owing to their fright that the English gave way and the siege was at an end. Thus having delivered Orleans, the peasant girl was henceforth known as "the Maid of Orleans." She continued to lead the army on to victory, and finally the coronation of Charles the Seventh, took place in Rheims. Then Joan felt that her work was done and asked to be allowed to go home. But the king would not allow this and still kept her in the army. But she no longer heard voices. Her enthusiasm and courage were gone, and no longer successful, she was at length taken prisoner, tried and condemned to be burned as a sorceress. The sentence was carried out, the king whom she had helped to establish upon his throne never interfering to save her.
As a visionary enthusiast, we may not hold up Joan of Arc as a model; but as a noble, earnest-hearted girl, true to what she believed to be her heaven-given mission, facing difficulties and dangers in order to carry out what she deemed to be the plans of her Lord, we must admire her and do her honor. At one time she said, "I would far rather be spinning beside my poor mother; but I must do this work because my Lord wills it."
"Joan of Arc was no wilful impostor. She fully believed that she beheld the faces of departed saints, and heard the voices of beings from the unseen world. The result of her wonderful career was that Charles ultimately won back to the royal house of Valois the whole kingdom of France. An imposing mausoleum in the city of Orleans perpetuates her memory, but her name stands above mortality, independent of bronze."
Faye Huntington.
ROUEN.—ENGLISH LOST POSSESSION OF, 1419, EIGHTEEN YEARS AFTER THEIR SACRIFICE OF JOAN OF ARC.
Dear Pansies:
How I wish I could coax each one of you to read this Corner carefully, so you would not bother your little brains by asking me the same questions over and over again, which I answer here! Will you each try it?
To become a member of the P. S. one must subscribe for The Pansy, at one dollar a year, send a letter to the editor (Mrs. G. R. Alden, Chapel street, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio) mentioning some fault or faults which he will pledge himself to try to overcome; and promising to try each day to "do some kind act, or say some kind word which will help somebody," always making the Whisper Motto, "For Jesus' Sake," the strong motive of all words and acts, not only, but of thoughts as well.
If you would rather not mention the special fault which you mean to try to conquer, you have a right to be silent about it; but I can help you more understandingly if you let me know your temptations.
All such pledgers will be sent badges, and their names enrolled on the pledge book. Their letters will be answered in due time in the magazine; and the editor will be always glad to hear from them, and will try to keep her eyes open in search of that which will help them.
There is also a list of books, games, etc., which are offered at special prices to the members of the P. S.
Brothers and sisters of subscribers, or even young friends of theirs who have the reading of The Pansy, but are not subscribers, may join the P. S. by writing to the editor, as described above, and enclosing ten cents for their badges. Only enrolled subscribers to the magazine have badges sent free of charge. Neither can these members get the P. S. books and games at special prices. Such privileges are reserved for those who take the magazine.
An officer's badge is somewhat prettier than the "private's," and has gold fringe. Any one who secures five or more subscribers to The Pansy, and pledges from each, is entitled to an officer's badge.
Officers of a P. S. are expected to call the members together at stated times, and hold meetings, for work or reading, or to spend the time profitably in whatever way they may plan; always remembering their pledge, and their Whisper Motto; so, being sure to choose no occupation that the great Leader under whose banner they serve might not approve.
Such an organization is expected to have a secretary whose duty it shall be to report to the editor of The Pansy, from time to time—say every three months, giving a brief account of their meetings, what they are trying to do, and how they succeed.
Now will you study this letter with great care, and see if you fully understand it?
Another thing, will you try to be as patient as possible about receiving answers to your letters? Please remember that while you have but one letter to write, the editor has at least five thousand to answer! Indeed, I think there must be more than that number waiting their turn. I look at the great and ever-increasing army, and shake my head, and tell them to lie still and be patient. Then I push into each Pansy as many as I possibly can!
Don't conclude from this that you must not write any more letters. I don't mean that, at all. I am only cautioning you to be as patient as meek little pansies should be, and await your turn. Meantime, of course, I want to get your letters; the more the merrier, so that you don't frown and scold because I do not answer you all at once.
Good-by, my Blossoms!
Pansy.
Lucile from Missouri. I do hope, dear little girlie, that we have rescued those poor fingernails from any further bad treatment. I made all haste I could, as soon as I heard of your needs. It is really wonderful how many naughty teeth there are in our P. S. biting what they ought not to touch!
Menton from Massachusetts. That is right. A well "governed" tongue is a most useful member of society. I know a great many tongues that were sadly neglected when they were young, and now are engaged in making all the people around them uncomfortable. I am glad yours will never be in that list.
Anna from Georgia. Yes, my dear, all members of the P. S. are subscribers to The Pansy; except the little brothers and sisters of subscribers, who have the use of the magazine in their homes; those we receive as members, and they can have badges by sending in their pledges and ten cents each to pay for the badges. Subscribers receive the badges free of charge. I was much pleased with your letter. As a rule, I know, letters should be written with pen and ink; but yours was very plain. I hope you are a faithful scholar in your school.
Joanna from Michigan. Thank you for the card. It was very pretty. I was much interested in your letter. Yes, I am glad to hear anything interesting about birds and animals of every kind. I will copy your letter for the Pansies to enjoy. It gave me a great deal of pleasure to notice the resolve you made. If you keep it, you will have a good and happy life.
Anna from Iowa. Here is another Blossom who "wants her own way." Shall I tell you how to always have it? Just decide that your way shall be the one that the Saviour of the world wants you to have, and then it will be the right way, and you will always get what you want. There is a beautiful secret hidden in that thought; I hope you will hunt for it until you find it.
Anna from Wisconsin. Dear little friend, I am afraid you expect too much of the P. S., if you hope that joining it will keep you from being "selfish" and "spunky." It will help, but you must do your part, you know. You would make poor work of mending the hole in your apron without a needle and thread, but just imagine what a mess the needle and thread would make of it without your hands to help!
Maud from Pennsylvania. "Dreaming" is really very pleasant, but you are right, it does not help work along very well. The best time to dream is at night when your eyes are tightly closed. I know a little girl who sat dreaming she was a fairy, and when she wanted anything had only to wave her wand and it would come to her; and she let the water boil from the potatoes, and they burned to the kettle and were spoiled; so because of this naughty fairy, the family had to eat their dinner without potatoes.
Auburn from Pennsylvania. My boy, that is a splendid pledge to take. As I watch the boys at play, I am constantly wondering what pleasure they can find in being so "rough" that lookers-on will be sure to say: "What a disagreeable boy that is! I should think his mother would teach him how to behave better than that." I wonder if the boys know how constantly mothers are blamed when they do wrong? I think it would make some boys who love their mothers more careful. Don't you?
Minnie from Minnesota. Were you named for the State, my dear, or was the State named for you? What a question! We receive your name with pleasure. I wish I knew about some of the "kind acts." Tell us their story.
Walter and Laura from New Jersey. We are very happy to welcome this brother and sister to our ranks. I wonder if I met you last summer? I saw a great many boys and girls when I was at the seaside where you live. Perhaps you were among them. I remember a sweet-faced little girl who was trying to speak gentle words to two older ones who were in ill humor about something. They called her Laura. Perhaps it was you, little Blossom. Be sure that you both shed fragrance about you for Jesus.
Fannie from Illinois. Your pledge reminds me of two boys who were under my window not long ago. They were very angry; they called each other hard names, and threw mud at each other, and at last they took off their little jackets and began to fight with their strong little fists. When they were separated, and peace was declared, it was discovered that they had been disputing as to whether a small brown bug which they had found, had four legs or six! But as the bug had crawled away, I am afraid it will never be known which was right.
Maxwell from Ohio. Yes, indeed, I sent you a badge, with pleasure. The more boys we can get to pledge each day to do a "kind act" the better are we pleased. I believe a boy who honestly tries to do one good kind act each day, will grow into the habit of it, so that, some day, he will do a great many. Don't you think so?
Clara from New York. I do not know that I have ever received a pledge which gave me more pleasure than yours. To help to lead others to give themselves to the Lord Jesus, is the greatest work we can do in this world. God bless you in your efforts!
Cora from New Hampshire. Thank you for your very high opinion of The Pansy. I believe all the Pansies are fond of it. I like to think of their bright faces when I am writing anything that I think will please them. I do everything I can think of, to make it a good and helpful magazine for them.
Stella from Ohio. Oh! not at all too old. We have many who are older than you. What an astonishing age your "chicken" reached! I have never heard of such a thing before. I should think it would have forgotten how to be a chicken! Orderly people are very pleasant to live with. I really do not know much about it by experience, but I know all about what it is to travel after a disorderly young person, and put away hat, and coat, and books, and blocks. I send my congratulations to your mother.
Carrie from Minnesota. Bless her heart! You certainly do have need of patience. Five little people to copy all you say and do. If you chance to slam a door, or bang a book down hard, or say, "Oh, dear!" in a sharp sort of way, just as likely as not five doors will slam! and five "oh dears!" will be singing around the room. Yet, my Blossom, there is a very sweet side to it; what a chance you have to help the little lives to grow up pure, and sweet, and patient. May the dear Saviour give you a fresh blessing every day!
Marion from —— You do not give me the State, so I have to "guess" at it. It always gives me pleasure to hear of a Missionary Blossom. I wish you had told us the subject of your Bible reading. Did you select the verses yourself? Suppose you send me a copy for the Pansies? Thank you for the sweet bit of good news which you gave me at the close of your letter. Nothing better could have been told.
Fred from Massachusetts. Your letter gave me great joy. When I can write down one of the P. S. members as a servant of the Lord Jesus, I always feel so safe and glad. May you be a brave soldier as long as you live.
Lizzie from Nebraska. Welcome. May the "kind words" you are pledged to speak echo so far that we shall catch their music and send them on until they reach around the earth. Nay, they will reach further than that; every one of them echoes around God's throne.
Agnes from Massachusetts. Do you know I think it is a very good hint as to a girl's character, when she says she always likes her teacher? It is apt to prove that she behaves herself in such a manner that her teacher can be kind and gentle to her. Is that it? Remember the "kind words" you are pledged to speak.
Alice from New York. It is a great trial to a teacher to have whispering girls in her school. I know how your teacher will rejoice that you have chosen to break yourself of that habit. I suspect you will find it hard to do. Don't get discouraged.
Chauncy from Massachusetts. Another boy with a temper! As soon as I get time, I am going to count the number of boys in the P. S. who have already taken that pledge. Then I shall know the number who are sure to be better men than they would have been without that resolve.
Mary from Nebraska. I wish you had given me the name of the fault, my dear Blossom. I could so much better understand what your temptations are, and perhaps be able to help you. Still, you are welcome to all the privileges of the P. S. Will you let us hear how you succeed?
Oscar from Pennsylvania. That is right, my boy. "By-words," beside being senseless things, are very apt as you say, to lead one at last into using profane by-words. I heard an old man who was trying hard to break himself of that dreadful habit, say that he began by constantly using the by-word, "My goodness!" until the time came when it did not seem to be strong enough to express his feelings, and he took a worse form of the same sin.
Minnie from Pennsylvania. Another "dreamer." "I dreamed I was a great merchant," said a boy to his father, one morning. "Well, you will never be one," said his father, "for you will spend your time sitting and dreaming how nice it would be if you were somebody, instead of setting to work with a will, and being somebody."
This habit of talking about others is one very easily formed. If we would always say good and sweet things of them, I suppose it would do no harm. Did you ever hear of the dear old lady who was in the habit of always saying something good about every one who was mentioned in her hearing? One day, a daughter said of her, "I believe mother would find something good to say about Satan himself, if we should try it." So they agreed to try the experiment, and when their mother entered the room they were talking about how he tempted people constantly to do wrong. "Yes," said the dear mother, "I have often thought we might learn a lesson from his perseverance. He doesn't waste any time!" As to wearing the badge, you must be your own judge of when. Some of the Pansies only wear them at their weekly meetings; others wear them when they think there is a reason that they will be specially tempted to break the pledge. Others wear them all the time, and when they are soiled, send ten cents to have them renewed.
Mary from Kentucky. How sorry I am for your disappointment! I do not know how it happened. We always attend to the badges as soon as the letters come. But about answers to letters, sometimes the poor little Blossoms have to wait until I am afraid they will almost wilt in their impatience! You see there are so many thousands of them, that, try as hard as I can, it is impossible to keep "caught up." We must each take a pledge of patience, and try to live up to it.
Annie from Massachusetts. That is good news. It is a great joy to me to hear from my Pansies that their badges are really helping them. A great many forget to tell me anything about it. I hope you will have a very pleasant visit. When you lie in your hammock under the trees, looking up into the blue sky, I hope you will have sweet and helpful thoughts.
Nellie from Pennsylvania. My dear, your pretty things that you make for those who have none, are to be sent wherever you please. Some of the Pansies send them to the great cities, in all of which there are hospitals for the sick poor children who have no parents to take care of them. Some select homes in their own town where they think their gifts would do good, and send them there. If you have anything to send, you might select the city nearest you, and address the package to the matron of the Children's Hospital, sending a letter of explanation with it.
Julia from Virginia. We are glad that you find so much pleasure in The Pansy. Hope you will succeed with your "club." It is those who try who are always the successful ones. I congratulate the "teeth." I know they are shining over their good fortune at this moment.
Ettie from California. You have a "giant" to fight, it is true; but there is a happy thought—you are sure of success if you wear the armor which the great Captain has provided. Have you read a careful description of the armor? And are you clothed in it from head to foot? We should like to hear something about the country you live in; the birds, the flowers, the fruits, anything which interests you.
H. A. M. W. from Wisconsin. Dear friend, what an honor you have bestowed on the P. S. A "Blossom" which has been cultivated for threescore years must have a wonderful record of perfume shed for the glory of the Master! I regret that your young friends should have had to wait so long for their badges. There is some misunderstanding or it would not have occurred. We try to be very careful, but in a family of sixty thousand some mistakes will happen.
Carroll from Vermont. You have plenty of company. The people who "start right off" to do things are few and delightful. They are the people who will, one of these days, do things that the world will be proud of. In other words, in this busy world, one must be "diligent in business" if he wants to accomplish much. As to the "hectoring," if you decide to attend promptly to all your duties, you will find that you have not so much time for that occupation, and I shouldn't wonder if it would also lose its interest to you. Do you know a little couplet—
Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do?
Clara from Michigan. So you don't mean to tell us what that "worst fault" is? Well, tell it to Jesus, and ask his hourly help; then you will overcome it. I hope the badge will remind you of your Helper.