Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-09-23
A SHORT SERMON,
By A PLAIN MAN.


tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh
apa reproach against his neghbor ."-Psalm XIV, g.
Mr. HEARERS The text composes part of
ihe answer to the questions of the Psalmist, Lord
who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall
abide in thy holy hill2' Among the characters
enumerated fit to abide in the tabernacle of the
Lord, are mentioned such as do not backbite, nor
doeth evil, nor take up reproaches against each
other.
There are three different characters named in
the text, which shall notice consecutively.
Lille that backbiteth with his tongue' Every
person seems to despse a backbiter-that is one
who speaks evil of the absent, yet no practice is
more common-and 1t is as mean as common
Frequently our ears are filled with the slang and
abuse of backbiters. What deceitful set Of be-
ings they are |! The very persons who speak
evil of others. are certain to treat them we'll to
their faces. How common it is to hear people
invite their neighbors to see them, and when they
DO, are urged to remain longer, with some such
language as this: "Oh ! me, cant you stay lon
ger2-you hardly ever come to see us-be Ger
tain to call again" Then listen to what is said
after the visiter leaves :-sWell, Pm glad they're
gone, for never could bear them ~ Are not
such persons too mean to abide amongst civilized
people on earth? How, then can it be expected
that the Lord will let them enter into his taber-
nacle above2 If any of you, my hearers, act in
such mean, deceittul way, do quit it. Act hon
estly and independently. Ifyou do not like peo-
pie, and dislike their visits, tell them no lies, by
inviting them to visit you when you could stab
them in the dark.
2 sHe that doeth evil to his neighbor." There
are many ways in which you can do evil to, or
wrong your neghbor, or brother 1t can be done
by cheating, by evil speaking, by bearing false
witness, or in any manner in which you jniure his
character, family or property If you SANDER a
man or his family of course you do evil to him
more 90 than if you stole his mouey-and the
slanderer is not half as decent man or woman as
a thief or highway robber If there is any Of
fence under the sun for which man ought to be
imprisoned in the penitentiary it is that of SANDER.
And as there are SO many slanderers in the coun-
try, it would be we'll to instruct the Legislators
10 pass law which would inf1ct such punishment.
would rather have man to steal my horse. than
TO injure my character in the least. Then let us
make slanderers hold their tongues, or have them
put where all such assassins and thieves should
be-in the .penitentiary. Property is trash when
compared with the character. Then protect your
character as well. at least, as you do your mules
or your negroes.
3. "Nor taketh up reproach against his neigh
bor." St Paul says that "charity thinketh not
evil" Now, why is it that SO many not only
think evil, but spread it abroad after they do think
~ Vuet .ii'"N vi eno faNPoPiIeVy Vi circulating
reports, and you we'll know il is wrong What
you do see or hear of your neighbor doing som.e-
Thing that is not altogether right will it do any
good to blabitto every body you see2 Have you
nothing else to talk about but the faults Of YOUR
neighborss How would any of you like to have
every little fault spread out to public vew2 Then
know that others feel as you do. lfyou will at
tend to your own business as you ought but little
time will be found to carry news.
1t is strange that so many professors Of religion
know nothing about practical piety. Now, you
may say that you have "got religion, - or "a hope
and shout or scream as much as you please, or
your lungs will bear, but if you do not act out
your professions, they are but ''sounding brass"
] beg You not to be guilty Of Getting badly-do
as you profess. Do not backbite, or do evil to. or
take up reproach against your neghbors. Do not
send man 10 the penitentiary for stealing yonr
horse and then turn round and steal some ones
character. want you to be real genuine CHRIS
tians. Such you can be by loving God supremey
and your neighbor as yourself. Half way chris
slams will not do in time or in eternity-o live or
to die with. Then give yourselves up entirely to
God-make full. free and perfect sacrifice of
your soul, mind and body This and this alone
will save you.-.abimgdon Nrginian.