Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-03-10
From the ASYLUM Journal.

hnong Otner afllcleS oil interest to be
found this week in our journal, noticed
the following remark "Never wound. if il
can possibly be avoided, the feelings of any,
but treat all with respect and kindness. -
Now there was nothing new, either in the
matter or manner Of this remark--I had
heard 1t repeated many times before The
principle 1t recognizes is as old as the Bible
itself, but | read it over again and again. un-
I'll IT seemed as fmy own mind had never
been suitably impressed with the importance
OF the sentiment. When | laid the paper
aside, | could not help repeating to myself,
"Never wound, if it can possibly be avoided.
the feelings of any, but treat all with respect
and kindness I" and | earnestly besought
Him who is the giver of every good and per-
feet gift, to Gil my heart with that love and
benevolence to my fellow creatures which is
the fulfilling of this law of kindness. How
different, thought |, would be the state of So
cieiy among the so-caled sane people. if this
simple rule should come to be universallyre
garded. But, alas how few there are.
comparatively speaking, who "trcat all with
respect and kindness" If they happen to
dislike a particular individual, or if that in
divdual stands little in the way of their
own private interests, however worthy and
estimable he may be as il respects his cener-
al character, how many there are who will
seem TO tax their ingenuity, and rack their
invention to the very utmost, TO say or do
something to lower him in the estimation Of
others. There is one way of accomplishing
this purpose, which is very common at the
present day, even among good people, and
which it would be very difficult to describe.
II consists, however, in throwing out doubt
Iul limitations, mysterious nsinualions, dark
inmendoes, &c. &c. in such an ambiguous
manner, that they can be made to mean any
thing or nothing, Just as suits the convcn-
ence or circumstances of the person who
makes use of them. If he finds he has been
rather too personal, and is likely to be called
10 an account, he can retreat behind his ref
uge Of lies, and say, "There were no names
called. You have no right to apply the re-
marks--they were made in reference to some
other person." Nothing is more common,
as every one knows, than this indefinite
method Of wounding the feelings of others ;
and the injury that is done by it, to an in
genuons, sensitive mind, is often irreparable
The wound inflicted is too deep ever TO be
entirely healed. Forgiven it may be. but
forgotten ii never can be- A poor reward,
one would think, for gratifying little pri-
waite resentment, or personal prejndice.-
How much more noble aud generous 10 90
and tell the obnoxious individual his fault if
he has any, aud ask him 10 correct il. than
to resort TO such miserable expedieits as
these. II would seem as if the conscious
ness Of their own faults, and infirmities.
would constrain each one to exercise towards
others, that charity which sufIereth long
and is kind. Bot am fully satisfied from
my own observation, that the Injunction,
''Never wound, if it can possibly be avoided,
the feelings of any, but treat all with respect
and kindness" however old or common
place it may be, and especially the direction
of our Savior, Whatsoever We would that
men should do to you, do We even so TO
them" is entitled to more serious. and more
prayeriul consideration than it has ever vet
received. CHARITY.
Vermont Asylum, Ftb. is, lS43.