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The NEW BERN
PUBLISHED WEEKLY
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VOLUME 6
NEW BERN, N. C., FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1963
NUMBER 9
Most of us act like parrots
when we visit a friend whose
home has been touched by the
hand of grief. Always we repeat
the same words-“Let me know
If there Is anything I can do."
Saying as much salves our
conscience to some extent, and
more or less takes us off the
hook. We have made our offer,
and having made It we walk
away, with never so much as a
backward look.
God bless the exceptions to
the rule. They are the friends
who ask nothing and offer
nothing. They know there are
things that need to be done, and
they do them, quietly and
efficiently.
There’s a phone to be
answered, and long distance
calls that must be made. There
are telegrams to send, and a
front door to be answered. Beds
must be made, rooms swept, and
meals prepared. Errands must
be run for bereaved people;
who are emotionally upset.
At such a time the grief
stricken won’t call upon you for
help. The help they get will
hurry to them, or they will
go' wanting. Make a self case
Of It. Do you recollect from your
own hours of sorrow a time that
you picked up a phone, dialed
a number, and let a friend know
what they could do for you?
Yet, over and over again, we
say the same Ineffectual words-
foollsh words that are better
left unsaid. Resolve, as we have
resolved, never to repeat them
again. It may take you some
time to get out of the habit,
but the cure will come.
Be like the little old lady
who once brought us a bowl
o f homemade vegetable soup
when we were 111. She knew
how fond we were of soup, so
she did something about It to
perk up our lagging apetite
and speed us on the road to
recovery.
So far as we know, she didn’t
go to church, at least not
regularly. In all frankness, we
doubt that she sat down at home,
folded her hands and prayed a
prayer for us. What she did,
and what we appreciated, was
make a pot of soup.
Those of us who frequent the
church of our choice, and sing
hymns real loud, are supposed
to have something in our hearts
and souls that this old lady
didn’t have.
But verily, she had com
passion for others, and with or
without religion she was follow
ing In the footsteps cf One called
Jesus of Nazareth. He too went
about doing good, teaching
others that words without deeds
are meaningless.
If you’re like us, you’ve spent
your life neglecting those
around you. You’ve said to your
self that you were too busy,
and admittedly most people
actually are fairly busy.
Even so, we usually manage to
do the things we want to do.
There’s nothing we can do to
erase the negligence of the past,
but the present and what we have
remaining of the future is ours
to use. Somewhere In the Bible
we are admonished to number
our days so that we may apply
our hearts into wisdom.
Helping others, out of the
goodness of our hearts. Is the
essence of wisdom, whatever
our faith may be. Not only is Is
the essence of wisdom, but the
very roots of all of the world’s
great religions. Practicing the
Golden Rule Isn’t confined to
(Continued on Page 8)
IT’S YOU—Florence Pollock, editor of New Bern High
School’s yearbook. The Bruin, shows Will Pittman, the
director of athletics, printed evidence that the 1963
edition of an always excellent annual is dedicated to
him. Smiling is a habit with Pittman, but on this occa
sion the smile was broader than ever. He has been a
member of the faculty for the past 13 years.—Photo by
Billy Pierce.
SIGNATURE SESSION—Everybody, as you can readily
see, attended the delightfully informal autograph party
that NBHS students staged in the gym when their year
books were finally passed out. Sweetly sentimental
were the messages inscribed on countless pages. Sen
iors were close to tears, realizing that this would be
one of the last occasions they would have to get to
gether for a happy gathering with the campus crowd.
—Photo by Billy Kerce.