The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1869-09-04
I'd our evening with the past.
Household Secrets.

The disposition of many persons to pry into
the privacy of domestic life is unfortunately, very
common, and is always dishonorable. The ap-
petite for such knowledge is to be regarded as
morbid, and the indulgence of il disgraceful A
family has sacred right to privacy. In guard
ing the delicate relations of the household secrecy
becomes virtue. Even il by chance the private
affairs of household are laid open to stranger,
honor would require him to turn from them and
if knowledge Of them were forced upon him,
they should be locked in sacred silence. A
double obligation of silence and secrecy rests up
on one who is guest in q family. The turpi-
tude Of betrayed of family history by visitor
is far grerter than a theft would be- 1t is thing
so scandalous that it should degrade person,
and put him out Of society. To betray the Sc
cres of the household is not only an odious i'm
morality, but it is a sin and a shame to be on
good terms with those who are known to commit
such outrages. They put themselves out of the
pale of decent society. They should be treated
as moral outlaws.
Those hungry y-eyed wretches who sit in the un-
suspicious circle of parents and children, treasur-
ing their words, spying their weaknesses, msin-
terpreting the innocent liberties Of the household
and then run from house to house with their
shameless news, are worse than poisoners OF wells
or burners of houses. They poison the faith of
man in man. Make no terms with such people.
Tale-bearers have no rights. They are common
enemies of good men. Hunt, harry and hound
them out of society. They are the worst of pests
save one, and that is the listener to the tae-bear
er.
There could be no tattling if there were no one
to hear. 1t takes an ear and tongue to make
scandal. Greedy listening is as dishonorable as
nimble tattling. The ear is the open market
where the tongue sells its ill-gotten wares. Some
there are who will not repeat again what they
hear, but they are willing to listen to it. They
will not trade in contraband goods but they will
buy enough Of the smuggler for family USE
These respectable listeners the patrons of tat
| tiers. 1t is the ready market that keeps tale
bearing brisk. 1t is shame to listen to i'll of
your neighbor. Christian benevolence demands
| that you do not love i'll news. A clean heart
and true honor rejoice in kindly things. 1t
should be pain and sorrow to know of any thing
| that degrades your neighbor in your eyes, even
if he is your enemy and how much more if he
| is your friend? -: =" Z
| The Scriptures say: "Thou shalt not 60 up and
down as tale-bearer among thy people," "a
tale-bearer revealeth secrets but he that is Of
faithful (honorable) spirit concealeth the matter"
''The words of the tale-bearer are as wounds that
| 90 down into the innermost parts of the belly"
The Hebrews thought that the affections had their
seat in the bowels and by this phrase Ego
down into the innermost parts of the belly" they
| signify how sharp and exasperating to the deep
est feelings of our nature are the cruel offices OF
| q common tattler.
"Where no wood is, the fire goeth out SO,
where there is no talebearng, the strife ceaseth."
Commend us to that religion which make mans
| humane with his tongue and honorable with his