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WITandWISDOM(tm) - September 13, 2006 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: You have not converted a man because you have silenced him. Submitted by Ken ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: After the first day of fierce fighting in the Civil War battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, hundreds of wounded and bleeding Union soldiers lay crying on the battlefield. Artillery fire prevented their relief all through the night and most of the second day of the conflict, so every moment the soldiers on the battle lines could hear their agonized cries, "Water! Water!" Soon a noble Southern soldier. Sergeant Richard Kirkland, rose above the love for his own life, and told General Kershaw, "I can't stand this any longer! Those poor souls have been praying and crying all night and all day, and it's more than I can bear! I ask your permission to go and give them water." "But as soon as you show yourself to the enemy,'" warned the general, "you will be shot at!" "Yes, sir," the soldier answered. "But to carry a little comfort to those poor dying men. I'm willing." The general hesitated, but his heart was also touched with his subordinate's same sympathy. "Kirkland, it's sending you to your death, but I cannot oppose such a motive as yours. I hope God will protect you. Go." So the brave soldier, furnished with a supply of water, stepped over the stone rampart and began his work of Christ-like mercy. Wondering eyes beheld him as he knelt by the nearest sufferer, tenderly raised his head, and held the refreshing cup to his parched lips. Every soldier in the blue Union line understood the tender mission of the man in gray, and not a single shot was fired. For over an hour, one after another of the crying, wounded and dying was given refreshing drink, had his cramped or mangled limbs straightened, his head cushioned on his knapsack, and was covered with his coat or blanket as tenderly as though by his own mother. By Doug Batchelor in Broken Chains (Pacific Press 2004) ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: A senior citizen said to his eighty-year old buddy: "So I hear you're getting married?" "Yep!" "Do I know her?" "Nope!" "This woman, is she good looking?" "Not really." "Is she a good cook?" "Naw, she can't cook too well." "Does she have lots of money?" "Nope! Poor as a church mouse." "Well, then, is she good in bed?" "I don't know." "Why in the world do you want to marry her then?" "Because she can still drive!" Submitted by Christine Eustaquio ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: After a caller told the Humane Society in Battle Creek, Michigan, about two ducks trapped by the ice on a pond, shelter manager Mike Pearson rushed right over. He inched his way out a considerable distance and, as onlookers stood by, gently gathered up the ducks and made his way back to safety. Both of the wooden decoys were expected to survive. Source: Mark Mail, http://mrhumor.net/ ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: We have a family friend who has Multiple Sclerosis, and so can no longer dance at weddings and other happy occasions. Instead, she dresses up her cane with bows, flowers, and bright paint and serves as an unofficial photographer of each event. She takes silly shots that no professional would take, and then immediately prints the photos to give the bride and groom immediately after the wedding. They get to extend the joy of the wedding into the next few days. She gladdens their hearts, and the hearts of the other guests. Source: A Dose of Kindness, mailto:aDailyDose-subscribe@atraditionofkindness.org