North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-08-19
MY ~lncognito.

MY lncognito.
Perhaps l owe you an apology for not
replying to your interesting correspond.
ence before this late period; but my dear
lady, pardon me for my past neglect, and
henceforth let as carry on our correspond.
ence through the medium of the NORTH
Iowa TINES though that paper does not
express your political sentiments, you can
have no serious objection. I, am not So
talented as yourself, and of course can not
write with the ease that you can, and I have
not the power to express myself in so
refined a manner /; your domestic cares
being light, gives you ample opportunity
for self Improvement. Sermon writing is
not my forte, and I will therefore make no
excuses for this, my first attempt, but will
reply to your communications through the
press. g..
"Behold, they belch out with their
mouth ; swords are in their lips; for who,
say they, doth hear? Psalm, 59:7.
The government Of the tongue. is one of
the most important objects for which We
can labor +; though one Of the smallest
members Of the body, yet it is one of the
most important-one of the most useful
one Of the most dangerous. By its po-
tent influence, it has raised the widest
storm, and hushed that storm to rest. 1t
is harder to chain or tame, than FIRE, ocean
or tempest. 1t spurns the control Of mind
and thought, it is a little world Of iniquity
1t setteth all on fret is itself set on
fire by spirits of darkness. To be denied
the power of speech, would be one of the
most fearful calalnities which could befall
a child Of earth-it would make thiswdiid
dark, and dry up one of the most delight
full sources of pleasure and instruction.
The birds might sing as sweetly as ever,
but we should be unable to join their song
the services of Gods house might con
tinue on as before, but our tongue would
be mute amid the holy throng; kind friends
might pour into our ears their kindest
sympathy, but We should utter no reply.
Now, it will be evident to all, that God
has not given us the power of speech,
without designing it as a source of pro fit.
He has not endowed US with this faculty
in order that it should be abused and per-
verified, Or made the instrument for pro-
noting an ignoble purpose. He made
the tongue that it might lisp forth his
praise-that it might be attuned to the
harmony of holiness-that it might ever
be the clear, distinct, and impressive echo
of his own speech. But with many, the
power of utterance il most ~fearfully abused.
Hundreds make it the instrument of set
ting on fire the angry passions, which
breed disorder, and hatred, and malice,
and envy, and everything that is abomin-
able. a
"They belch out with their mouth ;
swords are in their lips, for who, say they,
can hear"
I wish l could affirm that the abuse of
the tongue was confined to the stronger,
harsher sex ; l wish l could declare that
man hone had sunk so low, that he had
forgotten everything which is pure and
good ! wish that he alone had made the
voice, the mouth, the lips, the medium
through which the flames of destruction
might stream up, to onsume everything
lovely in the human character. But how
strangely have ,coman's lips been pervert-
ed How fearfully have they been turned
from their legitimate use, and like the
~rattles IF the serpent, bid US beware of the
poison that is lurking beneath them. We
expect men to traduce, and be traduced.
Plunging as they do into the worlds wild
strife, mingling in all its contentions, we
expect to see calumny heaped upon their
heads, and one after another become VIC
tins of detraction and hate. But such is
woman's station in society, that she ought
to be above the shafts which are aimed at
her, and very fara bove all attempts to ihjure
others. But in your contact with the
rough world do you find it SO? Does your
experience prove that woman is above the
influence of this odious vice?
Let us draw q picture of the slanderous
woman. She is a woman who loves to
talk, and talk she must. She tells all she
knows-bedaubs every report with the
coloring Of her own mind, and amid the
multitude of things about which she con-
verses has some Of good mingled with
much that is bad. Whatever is transpir-
ing in the community seems to come with
telegraphic dispatch to her ears, and what
ever reaches her, is sure to reach all her
acquaintance land such a m has a
host) in the shortest possible time. From
house to house in all her visits shet will
seem wondrous wise, breath out asighasif
she had some fearful news, which it Would
break her heart to tell, and at length lisps
out the SANDER with a look o fpious horror,
and charges her nearer mot to tell" The
story is told and tie charge Of secrecy,
made at a score of places during the week,
at the end of which time. the tale is distor-
ted and perverted, while she who has
giveE it such currency s~traightway goes
to find some other piece Of scandal, upon
which to satisfy her morbid appstite-~
Some people have an idea that to false
themselves, they must pull oshs5s Aowh.
No idea could be more erroneous, The
path to distinction, learning fame. and re-
s%pectability does not lie across ruined
characters, crushed hopes, and the blasted