THIS IS KINDNESS
by Ben Burroughs

Kindness is a ray of faith...
that lights a darkened way...
a helping hand when things go
wrong ...and skies above are
gray... a sincere word of
tenderness ... from one heart to
another ... meant to show your
fellow man... you are indeed

The St. Francis prayer image above, the Ben Burroughs poem alongside it and Miskell's dedicatory wording appear in the opening pages of his Offering Hope, the Connection Between Auburn Theological Seminary and Auburn State Prison.

his brother ... kindness is a loving smile ... a soft and friendly touch ... a host of other little things ... which count so very much ... kindness is a gentle answer ... to an urgent call ... a compassion put in act however great or small ... a pot of gold, a worn-out coat, a little crust of bread ... each one's the same when they give peace ... or rest a weary head. ...a gift of hope to those in need ... which God above will bless ...a flower that will never die.. . to me this is kindness.