"Mother, where did I get my name?" said Ralph.

"Why daddy and I gave it to you. We just liked the name. Why do you ask?"

"Well, Mary said she was named after the mother of Jesus. And John said he was named after one of the desciples and David said he was named after a great Bible hero. Who was I named after?"

"Well, no one in particular, but people will learn to think well of you and of your name, as you do good deeds and are kind and friendly to them."

"Aw gee! I wish I were named after someone." said Ralph.

"Well," said the mother, "there was a great poet whose name was Ralph -- Ralph Waldo Emerson."

"Good, that's what I'll tell them. I was named after a great poet."

It is true that bearing a name of someone with a great reputation has an encouraging influence on the namesake. It is true that Bible names are related by the bearers of such names to their historic meanings. It is natural and it is good that we should want to make our reputations measure up to high ideals and noble achievements.

Parents ought to wisely choose their children's names with consideration for what it will mean among their playmates and friends and associates in the future.