The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-10-30
FoRBEARANcE-ITs VIRTUE AND
IT'S POLICY,
81 was sad, and he comforted me. J"


! 81 was sad, and he comforted me-"
Forbearance is virtue that cannot be too
constantly practised. Human nature is frail
and inirn,, and scsrcely day goes by in
which errors and indscreiions are not CON-
mitted. Some are rash 10 speech, Others are
rash In deed, Some are narrow 10 spirit, and
hence are niggardly and parsimonious, while
Others are SO prodigal or so generous, that
they spend more than they earn, and thus
involve themselves in difficulty and debt.
There is nothing perfect on this side Of the
grave. All have vices and weaknesses, all
yield at times to excitement or temptation,
all commit errors of omission or commission,
and thus all require the exercise of indul-
gence and forbearance. Such being the con-
dition of affairs in ordinary times, how much
more essential is the practice Of "the gentle
virtues" at crisis like the present, and with
SO many in embarrassed and suffering cir
cumstances
"The mercy to others show,
That mercy show to me-"
This sentiment is at once moral, magnani-
nous and humane. On all sides we hear Of
cases of misfortune. Men who have been
for half century engaged in commercial
pursuits, have been prostrated as by sudden
blow. A storm has come upon them like a
:hunderSolt from summer cloud. No ordi.
nary prudence could haveiforewarned or pro-
tected. The earnings of lifetime have been
swept away in q moment. The agony of
mind that has been experienced has been in
tense. Reason herself has tottered upon
her throne. Nevertheless, honor and integ-
rity have been adhered to, sacrifice after sa.
crifce has been made, and all that human en-
ergy could do, has been accomplished. If,
after such struggles, trials and exertfons, it
has been found impossible TO maintain a
cherished position, the creditor should at
least exercise the most generous forbearance.
1t is hard enough for the strong man TO fall
without being thereafter pursued in selfish,
avaricbus or prosecuting spirit. Rather let
sympathy be expressed, and assistance be
rendered. These may encourage, relieve and
revive, and thus minister in the end, rs well
to the advantage of the creditor as the deb
tor. Acontrary course may induce despera-
ton and despair. 1t should be remembered
too that there is no human being who
breathes the breath of life, no matter how
independent his position may apparently be,
who is not liable to vicssitude and calamity
Of some kind. Hc may be powerful to-day
and powerless tomorrow. lie may in one
hour exult in all the pride of wealth, posi-
ton, and influence, and in another, he may lie
writing and PROSTATE on bed of sickness,
perhaps Of dealh. Even while he pursues
his victim debtor, the insatiate archer may be
in pursuit of him. We are all fallible and
mortal; all feeble and dependent human be-
ings. And such being the case, we should
deal with others rs we would they should
deal with US, under like circumstances. We
should not exact everything in, grasping
and selfish spirit, for the time may come, eli.
Their here or hereafter, when more may be ex.
acted Of US than we can redeem. A few days
since, we conversed with one Of our best and
most respected citizens, who, somewha. de-
pressed by the circumstances of the times,
confessed that he was anxious for the future,
but said he had nothing to fear il two of his
heaviest creditors would only deal generously
towards him and give him little time. He
had hardly spoken, before he received note
from one, in which the writer said that he
had heard Of the embarrassment of an old
and esteemed friend, and that "he was happy
to be able, not only to withhold his own
claim for time, but to offer some assistance,
it necessary" The cloud at once passed
from the brow Of the anxious debtor, tear
Of joy trembled in his eye, and for moment
his voice became hoarse with emotion. But,
alas ! how rarely are these acts Of generosity
and forbearance practised Nevertheless, they
cannot DO too earnestly encouraged. For
bearance, We repeat, is a virtue tina. should
be constantly cultivated. Not day goes by
in which it may not be displayed TO advan-
tage. 1t is suited as well to the domestic
circle and the family Preside as the out door
world. All, we repeat, have their faults and
their infrmities, all their errors of temper and
habit, and all should bear and forbear. When
rejecting upon or censuring others, when
taking exception to the manners and morals
of a friend or neighbor, when criticising
sharply and harshly, the folly and extrava-
gance that have led to Indebtedness or mis-
fortune, we should not forget the necessity
of administration, or overlook our own
shortcomings. The mote may be in the eye
of another, and the beam in our own eye
But above all things, il we have the power,
and II, by the exercise of clemency and for.
bearance, we can heal wounded heart, and
soothe broken spirit, let us shew that we
are not dead 10 sympathy, or indifferent TO
suffering, and pursue tho part at once of a
philanthropist, brother, and man.-PkH
Inquirer.
MosEY.-The coinage of the world a.
mounts to fully three thousand millions of
dollars, and only hundred and twenty-five
millions are necessary to the purchase Of the