OCR Text |
Show I The Influence aT Symbol. An American, writing home recently from England, says: "1 happened to be present at the funeral of a soldier, who, for bravery in the Zulu war, had received ! t he Victoria cross. Tho badge was fast ened lo his breast as ho lay iu the coftlu. i His mother, bidding him farewell, touched j the precious bron.o token and said: 'It j lessens my grief at losing him that he should take that Into his gravel I "ll was tho symbol to her not only of his heroic life, but of the gratitude of his , country. I wondered, as 1 heard her, 11 I we Americans make as much use as we I might of tho influence of symbols lu training train-ing our uneducated classes." A singular instance of the effect of this kind of symbolism was once shown In the famous reformatory school at. Lusk, One ' of tho teachers had induced nhout twenty 1 of the boys to give, up profane and indecent inde-cent language, and to do extra work, for which they were paid. But they were indifferent in-different and half hearted in tho effort. ''Form them Into a society and give them a badge," suggested the superintendent. superin-tendent. The hint was carried out In a month tho boys wero eager and enthusiastic In their work, and as proud of their prison sociel.y us were tho old sohliorB of Napoleon Napo-leon of the Legion of Honor, j The man who Is successful in lending 1 human nature to its highest endeavor must work upon the innocent weaknesses as well as upon the stern lovo of duty. Imaginative men and women like to symbolize sym-bolize their work or sncrillco for tho world In some uniform or batlgo. Youth's Companion. |