Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-07-17
Weakness and Harshness.

There are two faults which alternate in tht
human character: that of weakness and that o
harshness. We sometimes find person who il
extremely amiable, kind and sympathizing, gen
tie and affectionate, always ready to conclude OF
to receive tale of woe or confession of infirmi-
t5 person invaluable in hours of distress, te
whom we fly in sorrow, for whom we send in
sickness, with whom we need have no conceal.
ments, and who, by half anticipating, more than
which we may have to make of timidity, folly
or sin. And yet, in this character, so attractive
at first sight SO perfect, there may be great,
almost fatal defect. There may be want OF
strength. The tendency of amiability, not its
necessary result, but its tendency, is towards
weakness towards what we call indulgence q
sympathy, not only with the erriDg, which is
right, but with the error which is wrong; an
appreciation of the force of temptation, and OF
the fraiIty of human nature, which being misap-
piled or excessive, becomes an insensibiity to
the claims of duty and to the sinfulness of sin.
On the other hand, we sometimes see person
of the greateat elevation and purity of charac-
ter; one who has completely triumphed over, or,
as we may almost suspect, been by nature ex
empted from the common infirmities of human
nature; we hear his Judgment upon right and
wrong, we find him treading beneath his feet
the subterfuges and sophistries of crooked con
science we feel ourselves, in his society, to be
breathing pure and invigorating air, and fancy
our own moral tone to be braced and strength
ened by the influence of bis principles and ex-
ample. Surely this is well. Surely if all men
were like him this world would be very differ
ent from what it is; virtue would be dominant
ard vice abashed, where now the one is so often
discouraged, and the other so bold-faced and
hra razon-tOnOl1ad nd vat hero too thprS NAV
be something wanting; something for the want
of which little may be really effected by this un
worldly, tEis superhuman. The character des-
cribed may be a harsh character. 1t may have
the effect of driving in upon itself, but not of
correcting, not of eradicatiDg that which is
wrong and sinful in another. We feel, perhaps,
that it would be impossible for us to confess 9
fault, or to betray weakness, to such person !;
therefore, in his company We assume, per force,
tone not our own, we cease to be natural We
are tempted to deceive him if not ourselves, al
50, and that which is evil sinks the deeper in
for thus being driven from the surface. Thus
in the one case tenderness becomes weakness,
and 10 the other strength degenerates into harsh
ness. See q character which, by Gods grace,
combined both these virtues, and avoided both
these faults. By nature, it was a strong char
acter. Those whom he regarded as in error,
St. Paul once prosecuted to the death. That
was bis way of showing concern for them; he
knew no other. But, as soon as the love OF
Christ touched his heart, without losing one
particle of strength be learned to add to it ten
derness. Knowing how much he had been for
given, he knew how to forgive. Knowing too
what he calls the terror of the Lord, he knew
the danger of those who disregard and despse
it.-FrOns ''Memorials of Harrow Sundays" By
Dr. Tau0hun