Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-09-28
GFor the Civilian and Telegraph
SPEAK OF THEIR VIRTUES.

We find tendency to speak OF others,
prcynlent wherever we may go. 1t seems so
natural that al! classes and conditions Of per-
sons alike fall into it.
How often instead of speak ing of the good
Qualities in the character Of those who are
absent, aud pointing out traits that are wor-
thy of i.HitGton, we hear the, faults made
the topic of conversation. The failing which
We NAV see in them, the errors we discover,
their peculiarties and shortcomings are ti3-
cusscd and not one of their good qualities
mentioned or the better side of their nature
brought to light.
All classes and grcdcr of society, -s well
as individuals are addicted to this habit, to
greater or less extent.
Though the forms of manifesting itself may
be various, though the remarks may be made
in chaste and elegant lang;at'e, the words
well chosen or uttered in the rude manner
and coarse expressions of the uncultivated and
i!!i,cratc, the evil is essentially the same.
We often indulge in this habit without ut
tcring word against our friends and neigh
bnrs, by encouraging those who are opcakng
! gr Tic Sults thcy chcoec to iiud in them, by
u mere look or token of approval. How often
when We hear others speak lightly of cur a"-
oraiutanccs, VIC listen to them in silence in
stead Of defending them, and thereby give our
approbaton to what has been said. for,
silence eivco consent" Or if the conycr-
sation is directed to us, instead of declining to
hear harm of our ncighoors, 90 - not listen
with deep interest and frequently exc!aim,
:" All, indeed . can it be possible did not
think that of hcr!' or some similar -zprcs-
sions which show plainly our readiness to be-
| licve what has been related to Us? And per-
haps We may even 60 30 far as to search in
our own minds for some evidence to bear
upon What has been asserted and MAJ repeat
some trifing circumstance that came under
our own observation to corroborate the state.
mcrt, and thereby not only sanction, but
strengthen what has been said.
And again We frequently hear persons
spcoking in vague, mysterious manner, OF
some bscnt one. They will say, Oh yes
She is very clever, but. Though no harm
may really have been SPOKEN, yet that un-
flushed sentence 'nay do the person more real
injury than a full catalogue of all her faults
and failings might have done. :, :,
| 1t leaves an unpleasant impression CT the
mind We conclude that that person has a
! knowledge of something, which being undo
fined 10 our minds. will assume u dark as
pect, and our imagination will be at work,
until We conceive faults far more serious and
appalling than any that in reality can be
! found in the character Of TIE person.
In seeking to discover the failings Of others.
We commit numerous errors ourselves. We
arc apt to forget that we also have our fail
ings and consequently make no effort 10 Cor
rect them as long as We are busy with others.
Whilst all persons have some faults, we
must not fail to remember that they also have
virtues. No nai.er how wretched. degraded
and apparently forsaken of good i person may
be, Tiers is still an ".AAngel-sdc."
We cannot link that there is person to
be found, ''created in the image of his Maker" "
whose heart has become so hardened, who has
so far lost the Innocence and purity, which
characterized his childhood, when lie knelt at
his mothers knee aud Hsped his
'Now lay me down to Sleep
MS to have fallen so low that no spark of good
remains in his breast, that no trace Of virtue
is toAe found in his. character. No there
still remains something to be commended, !,
! some spark Of hidden worth, soms<sd.ss.ng
sEsitnssts s;'tiS;sss'