The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-24

1t is a precious possession, and may b,
enjoyed equally by rich and poor. w
all love it dearly, and cherish it fondly
when it is wrenched away by unrighte
Gus violence, the calamity is greater thar
tongue can tell, or human courage en-
dure. oCalumny is devilish as regard,
the calumniator, and ii is very sore ca
lamity in the experience of the calumni
ated. The blow is easily inflicted. i
IS not more difficult to throw vile word.
against ne;ghbor's character than u
throw mud on his person as he passes
In modern times men may and do calum
Mate at less risk than in ancient. Shimei
although he took what he considered the
safe side of the glen when he cursed, yet
INDUCED his spleen at some risk of get,
ting Abishais sword in his flesh. Now
a-days they can stab you in the dark and
escape with impunity. Any heartless
man who has command of a newspaper
may, without danger to himself, plant
thorns in his neighbor's pillow that will
cause that neighbor many sleepless
nights.
The grand question for us, when calum-
nies are flung at us, is, How shall we re-
ceiye them so that they may not hurt our
spirit-so that what was meant for evil
may issue in blessing? 1t is allowed, ii
is sometimes peremptorily required, that
the injured should step forth and defend
his own good name. This side Of the
question is important; but it sinks into
comparative insignifcance in presence of
the other side-how shall | so bear the
injury that, instead of breeding corrupt
anger and revenge in the wounded spirit,
it may providentially become an opening
by which other inbred defIements may
be discharged?
An accidental wound inflicted becomes
at one time the destroyer and at another
time the preserver of life. In one case,
either through something poisonous ad-
herring to the weapon, or something NOR
bid in the condition of the patient, the
wound generates a disease which ultimate
ly takes life away. In another case a
wound accidentally inflicted on man
who is suffering from dangerous ailment
becomes the channel through which the
disease is discharged, and the blow which
seemed to injure actually saves.
1t is thus with wounds that neighbors
unwittingly, or enemies of design, may
infict upon our spirits in the battle of
life. These wounds, if we are in spir-
itually morbid state, may generate fatal
disease; but to healthful spirits such
strokes may become messengers of peace,
by removing the corruption that was
troubling and defling them.
At certain times and in certain Cir
cumstances it may be the duty of one
who is maligned to repel falsehood and
vindicate truth in the world; but all
thoughts of vengeance are absolutely
by the law Of Christ. Ven
geance is mine; [ will repay, saith the
Lord" This is not only prohibition,
it is also privileged exemption. From
this rough and dangerous work the Son
makes his people free. If the flame that
shall scorch the nest Of hornets must be
kindled and fed in my breast, what con-
ISOLATION is it to me that in the end the
vermin are consumed, if my yitals are
scathed in the process? Render not
evil for evil, but contrariwise blessing.
When He was reviled, He reviled not
again.
When Christian IS unjustly blamed
and traduced, he should not occupy him
self with an effort to obtain victory
over the traducer: he should reserve his
strength for a more needful and more
profitable aim,-How, shall l preserve
myself from being infamed into sinful
passion by that fiery dart? 1t will profit
me nothing to gain triumph in public
over my adversary, if my own heart be
defiled by that adversary's tongue, and
so untitled for the presence of my Lord.
What is a man profted, although he gain
a whole world of pride-engendering ap-
plause, if he lose, even in part, the puri-
ty and peace of his own soul? When
the gun is foul and overcharged, the sol
der may bring down his enemy by the
bullet, but what will the victory profit
him, if himself is killed by the rebound
When neighbor assails our good
name, our own hearts too readily prompt
to vengeance. A son of Zeruiah is ready
within us to say, Let me so over and take
off his head. But, beware: like David
see rather Gods hand permitting the trial
to come, and adjust yourself to meet il
so that it will press you nearer to yom
Lord, and keep you closer in his steps
But wherever and whenever duty tC
God and men does not compel you tc
contend, be silent; | would even say
lean in your judgment to the side of 81
lence, for old Adam will draw hard il
the opposite direction. Abishai will bC
there, eager to draw the sword; DaviC
must be firm in his resolution to sheatl
it. Alas many time David has haC
to lament when the decision was given OIL
the wrong side. "These men the SOM
of Zeruiah be too hard for me" Gene
rally the safer method is, "Let hin
alone, and let him curse; for the Lore
hath bidden him" In this case, you ar
freed altogether from the distracting, il
ritating conflict. You are permitted t
run direct into the presence of God
with spirit grieved indeed, but not rufie
by passion, you are permitted to open a
your case to the inspection Of your Fathe
in heaven. A sweeter experience huma