Knocking

Put the hammer in the locker;

Hide the sounding board likewise;

Anyone can be a knocker;

Anyone can criticize.

Cultivate a manner winning,

Though it hurts your face to smile

And seems awkward in the beginning.

Be a booster for awhile.

Let the blacksmith do the pounding;

That’s the way he draws his pay;

You don’t get a cent for hounding

Saint and sinner night and day.

Just for solid satisfaction

Drop a kind word in the slot,

And I’ll warrant you’ll get action

On your effort on the spot.

Kindness every time beats kicking;

Mirth is better than a frown.

Don’t waste your time picking

Flaws with brothers who are down.

And it isn’t distressing

If you give a little boost

To the man whom fates are pressing,

When the chick comes home to roost.

-       The B.M.A.A.[1] Bulletin

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[1] Perhaps the Baptist Missionary Association of America