Lincoln telegraph., 1839-10-24
TELEGRAPH.
FOR THE TELEGRAPH.

Mr.. EDIroR:-Upon looking over an
old newspaper the following article attract
ed my notice. As it seems applicable "to
our own times" forward it for publica-
tion in your next paper. INDEX.
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy
self" is as old as any commandment con-
timed in the scriptures and full as good -
True we are commanded to love ourselves ::
but no one should think so much of him
self, or of his own individual interest, as
to take undue advantage Of his neighbor
Every man ought to keep within the
sphere which kind nature hath allotted him,
whether it be high or low, and consistently
with christian torbearance TO contend for
his own right, be it little or much, and no
more.
OF the many passions peculiar TO man,
from whence flow large portion of the
miseries Of life, perhaps none are more
frequently INDUCED, than the wicked prac-
tice Of prying into our neighbors' affairs,
and wasting useful moments in meddlesome
interference with matters which do not con-
cern US, to the great jeopardy Of our own
individual character aud happiness. 1t is
from such disgusting practices, that undue
advantage is frequently taken OF our neigh
bors in the small talk and scandalous views
with which almost all communities are sore
ly afflicted. Gossip is the food of busy
bodies, and springs from pride, envy, ha-
tired and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. commu-
mites are often plunged into feverlsh COM
motion, and the innocent aud vlrtuous caus-
cd to suffer irreparable injury from the fast
wagg ing tongue Of caiumny. The tact ls
a lamentable one, that the people almost of
every community do not govern their unru.
ly member with that becoming degree Of
prudence and moderation which is at all
times requisite for their own peace, digni-
ty and social welfare. Now if mankind
thus prefer brawling about nonsensical
stuff and disgusting scandal, rather than
attending to their own individual concerns,
their own minds, and conversing
upon rational subjects with sober sense and
intelligence, we respond, Amen, The jar
ring contentious and small talk set afoat by
a few idle persons shall not mar our happi-
ness in the least. And would those who
likewise nward!y find themselves the OBJ
iect Of iidicule and foul SANDER, bear III
mind that "the shafts Of the malicious are
feathers in the cap of the honest'-that by
earn wing themselves in all their intercourse
with true spirit Of ndependance-glvng
no ear to the thousands of rumors and
hearsays abroad IN the world, their individ-
nal felicity can never be disturbed. True
merit will always be correctly apprec lated
by men OF sound sense and judgment
and however adverse person may be sit
uated in point of pecuniary circumstances,
a life of industry, vittue, aud morality are
guarantees OF responsibility and success.
Living as we do under government Of
republican simplicity, the field OF fair and
honorable competition is alike open unto
all-the rich and the poor are equally alike
under the operation of its laws. 1t is there
fore but necessary to move forward imme-
diatelv in the work of well doing-to walk
humbly and fearlessly before God-and
lastly though not least, "to love our neigh
Dor as oul selves,' that we may enjoy a
conscience void of otfence-lhese obser-
vances will ensure US no, only sef-respect
but responsibility in suciety, and to all in
tents and purposes true happiness on earth.
Let every one who finds himself the object
of town talk and malicious vituperatlons,
keep in remembrance the wise remark of
the honest blacksmith, and all will 60 well
81 heed not, said he, "what enemies may
say of me, for can work out better char
acter at my forge in six months, than all
the world can give or take away Fur
thcr comments are rendered unnecessary.
A sreet business. Eight German wo-