Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-09-10

~The following communication is by
one of our young female friends. We are
glad the Ladies have taken the subject in
hand, as almost all the mischief that is
done in that way originates with them, we
feel confident if they will array themselves
against it, it must soon be done away with:
ON GOssIPING.
To gossip means to pirate, to tattle, 20
talk too much about matters, which do not
concern the gossiper.
From this definition, we conclude much
gossiping is carried on in this W rid among
all classes of people. This practice is es-
pecialy wrong, because it ruins the char
.acters Of hundreds, who but for that, had
stood frm in the world.
1t is truly pitiable to see how many there
are in our land whose meat and drink it
u.s. to Witty their neighbors, to excite suspi-
'cion against some unofending persons. and
to spread scandal and confusion all abroad.
These gossipers go from house to house,
spreading their darts, their fire brands.
and mischief as On the wings of the wind.
They make haste to murder the reputation,
and break down the inneoent
Peace and harmony, they detest; the
confusion of Babel and the sound of war
and the notes of fury and rage, are the
food on which the gossiper delights to feed.
This character often enters the peaceful
abode of neighbor; some slight remark
is made in reference to an absent person
by some member of the family, without in
tending any harm whatever; this detested
character catches the sound; he magnifes
ahe whole matter, and runs with haste to
tell the person, whose feelings he arouses.
This individual then makes retort, which
the gossiper gathers up, and forthwith runs
to the same family, whence he carried the
former news, and tells all that he heard in
the most unfair light imaginable, exagger-
ating many of the particulars and suppress
ing others, for the mere purpose of sowing
the seed of discord and breaking up the
harmony of the community.
The character of gossip is peculiarly
detestable. These persons are found in
many circles of responsibility and refine
ment But no matter where they are
whether among the rich, or poor, the wise
or ignorant, they are pitifu class, deserv.
ing the contempt and adherence Of all the
good.
Gossiping should never be INDUCED in
because it is contrary to the principles o
she gospel. The word of God teaches u
to keep peace with all men, and live il
friendship with our neighbors. ask, doe
the inveterate gossip do any thing to pro
mote this kind of feeling in the eommu
nifty! On the contrary, does not this char
acter do every thing to break up the har
mony of families and the good understand
ing that aught to exist in all society," The
Bible speaks against this sin in such passa
ges as these, "Thou shalt not speak falsel,
Of any one" keep thy tongue from evi
and thy lips from guile" The tongue is {
little world Of iniquity when once it is Sc
in motion against reputation, character
and every thing that is sacred.
Gossiping is just as much wrong, as
good reputation is valuable. If the goo
opinion entertained of US in the wor ID b
Of any value, it is altogether importar
that we should strive to suppress whateve
might have tendency to destroy the est
mate placed upon US by our neighbors an
friends.
Tattling, tale bearing, false story telling
all included under the term, gossiping, al
the greatest promoters of evil, and tn
most effectual ways to destroy all frienc
ship and good feeling in neighborhoc
that Satan could devise. Hence, advis
all my young friends to avoid this, as tn
rock on which thousands have split ar
been ruined. A. w. l..