, 1868-08-28
A Little Preaching.

note, from which We make the following ex-
tract. The writer says that there is but little
"Preaching in the neighborhoOd, and that
what there is relates rather to the metephys-
ical quality Of sin than to the actual forms
which it usually takes. He therefore sends
for al title bit Of preaching the following:
My neighbor will not make his part of
his fence sufficiently strong, and his stock
WILL therefore break over and damage nv
eroPS. He heediesSiy sets nre 50 that the hre
spreads aud burns up my part of the fence.
He does not build the fence so destroyed, as
be is in duty bound TO do; yet lets his stock
run in the opposite field, and they are every
now and then trespassing on my fields. Now
the laws provide for a remedy by compelling
him, if bring suit, to make legal fence,
and rebuild the part be so carelessly burnt.
Now, if compel him by suit at law to do
his duty, make an enemy. My property
is not safe, and in the end will probably
be the sufferer consider q dollars worth
ofpeace and good feeling with my neighbors
worth dollar, and dollars worth of jus
tice obtained by compulsion, BY and through
the law, is generally dearly obtained, costing
two and often ten, to get one, beside bad
feelings, lasting sometimes through life. Is
it my duty to bring suit for right when it
will perhaps beget malicious retaliation
What course does the Scripture indicate p
Oh, sir, you could not have touched a topic
that would thrill more hearts than this of
fences How simple the topic seems How
little would an innocent stranger, riding
through rural district imagine that fences
are instruments of injustice, engines of op
preston, causes of quarrel Fences not ouly
separate estates, but divide families they
keep out cattle, but introduce feads; they
protect land, but squsnder money in bitter
litigations To Gil up the whole subject of
fences, with appropriate preaching, would
require a sermon as long as an old-fsshioned
Puritan discourse. In this particular case
We do not see that much is left for as. The
writer has argued his case, and decided it
rightly. Peace is more precious than gold
among Reighbors. Dout go to LdW, If you
can help IL!
Some men take medicine for every pinch
and quam and are never we'll. Some men
take law for every little spite or right, and
they never have any comfort OF their lives.
In free country, a native born American,
aud be afraid to stand up for his rights?
1t is true, that men ought to ascertain
clearly what are their rights aud that they
should see to it that, in the main, they are
respected. But even this relates rather 10
such rights as involve a mans moral and
civil standing. Cases may arise in which one
should sacrifice his whole property, and his
very life, rather than yield just and inns
pOrtsnt right. But in every such case there
must be clear and unquestiouable reason
for such outlay.
On the other hand, many Of our rights are
not to be sel6shly maintained-they are to
be waived, yielded, given away, for the beue-
fit of others. A man who keeps all his
rights for his own use is selfish AMI unlovely
Define and authenticate your rights, and
then, if you can make men happier, use them
generously, and even forego them! A moth
er's whole life is made up of series of giving
up her rights for the benefit of her children.
Is any other name more noble among men
than that of mother?
Yet, there may be cases in which little
law will be useful to a neighborhood.
If some strong and arrogant man domi-
neers until, by yielding to him, he has come
to think that be can have everything his own
way, it will be good for him and for the
whole neighborhood if some smart stiff
necked farmer will teach him lesson at law.
If there be mean aud selfish nature in
neighborhood, who makes it rule to go
just as far as people will allow, and to fich
and grasp whatever he can, it may be duty
to put up fence of the law around him.
But, ii man is only careless and slow
and negligent, and yet really does not intend
any harm, think that should mend the
fence myself before going to law. Coax him,
talk to him as plainly as you write to me.
1t is difficult to manage a man who has the
right on bis side; but where all the right is
on your side, you ought to be able TO mana ye
any man.
Keep out of lawI 1t will squauder more
money than it will save. 1t breaks down
more fences than it puts in order No bet
ter citizens live than lawyers; but going to
tap is next to going to grOg-shop. When
man begins, you never know when he will
end.-Beecher.