Winning Words 1/20/10
“As I grow older I pay less attention to what people say. I just watch what they do.” (Andrew Carnegie) I first became acquainted with Carnegie when I saw his name carved on the front of the Moline Public Library. Edgar Guest used to write a poem a day for The Detroit Free Press. Here’s the first line of one of them: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” Look for it on today’s blog. ;-) Jack

Sermons We See
Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

FROM RI IN BOSTON: Andrew Carnegie obviously gave his opinion as well as his fortune. His endowing of public libraries around the U.S. was an extraordinary example of personal philanthropy. Besides the Moline library with which you're familiar, didn't Carnegie also provide a library for Merrill Wisconsin, another town familiar to you? FROM JACK: 1909 Request for $17,500 from Andrew Carnegie Foundation approved. Claude & Starck of Madison (associates of the famed Louis Sullivan) contracted as architects the following spring. 1911 New Carnegie library completed in Stange’s Park . 1935 WPA grant helps with roofing and cement work on the library. 1945 H. V. Kaltenborn, Merrill native and famous radio commentator,
journalist and author donates $2,000 to the library for creation of a book fund. 1969 Library addition opened, doubling the size of the building. Architects were Foster & Shavey; Wausau, WI. 1970 Ramon Hernandez begins duties as ninth library director. (Do you remember him? He was later Director of the Ann Arbor Public Library and preached occasionally at Holy Spirit.) 1971 Library acclaimed as an excellent example of Sullivanesque architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Wisconsin Chapter of American Institute of Architects. 1972 Library recognized by State Department of Natural Resources as an
excellent example of construction on a flood plain.

FROM GF IN MICHIGAN: good one!

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Going to print this one out!!! And keep it by my computer here.

FROM JB IN WISCONSIN: Excellent words indeed!