Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-10-20
For the Tribune.
SPEAK GENTLY.

SPEAK gently to the erring one, for the hear,
though darkened by sin retains within it a
chord, which, when touched by the accents
awaken all those sensibilities of the soul that
have so long been repressed. That erring one
may be friend, to whom thou hast been
bound by the golden chains of friendship, and
who hast shared in thy confidence then for
get not those ties; spurn him not from thee,
nor derde him in his disgrace; though deep
his crime, his heart may not have become SO
callous that it cannot be moved by thy entreat-
les. Thou alone may'st be able to reclaim
him to the path of recti,ude. A brother
may have been dazzled by the worlds deceit
ful charms, in an evil hour he may have list
ened to the siren voice until it had enticed
him far into the unmeasurabIe labyrinth of
vice. His hand may have grasped the spark
ling wine cup. His downcast eve may strive
to hide from thee its guilt. Yet thinkest
thou that in his heart there are no remains of
former innocence? Remember thou art bound
to him by earth's strongest ties. Look back
to the days when he shared with thee a pa
rents love; when your hours passed joyfully
with him in childish sports; and as time ad-
vanced, think how thy fond eye gazed with
admiration upon his manly form and noble
brow and think of thy dreams of future hap
piness. w lit thou permit thy love to be ca
silly erased Wilt thou add a double sting
to the remorse that gnaws his heart, by point
ing at him the finger of scorn, and wilt thou
harden him in vice by casting bitter reproach-
es upon him :, Thou art mortal like him,
and canst yet be tempted as he was. Then
if thou art a sister, exercise that power
which alone is ascribed to a sister love-
Shrink not to follow him in his disgrace, and
to pour into his ear the gentle strains of per-
suasion, for though he has steeied his heart
against all else, yet he cannot resist sisters
fond entfeaties. Some word may find its way
into the dark avenues of his heart and may
awaken there a remembrance of the past
He will desire again those blissful days, and
thy dreams of happiness may yet be realized.
A sister may have suffered herself to be drawn
aside from the paths of usefulness and virtue
by the enhancing vanIties of earth. Her
feet may seek with eagerness the giddy mazes
of the dance, and her mind may peruse the
exciting themes OF romance until she has rem
dered 1t blank; yet reproach her not with
her folly, for she will turn with scorn from
harsh rebuke, but speak 10 her gently, for her
heart will melt at the reasonings of love, and
she will mourn over the golden moments that
she has lost. Poverty and afflction may be
her portion, and though it be the result of her
own errors, have charity, and blame her not
her heart is as sensitive as thine, and she feels
the neglect of cold world as keeny as thou
would'st. Then offer her the consolation that
she needs, and cast ray of sunshine over
her cheerless path. Her heart will bless thee
for 1t, and she will remember with gratitude
thy disnierested love. kind and compass
siona,e word may cause a ray of hope to
gleam into the heart of the deg AIDED inebriate,
or of the hardened inmate of the Penitentiary,
and it may show him that he has the power
to become a man again. 1t may rouse him to
a new existence, and may snatch him from
the tolls of the temp,er, for naught but kind
ness can reclaim the soul. Then speak gent
ly to the erring one for it may be yours 10
Tighten the burden Of manv a weary life, and
to pour consolation into the desponding heart.