Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-04-30
A WORD to "Little Me-"
BY HENRY WARD BEEoHER.

-
lished in the Boston Traveller, your
views Of g Tale bearipg9" My attention
has been directed to this subject, by
hearing a church member speak freely of
the private affairs of family where she
had been for time an inmate, exposing
not only their familiar conversations,
tests and remarks, but matters sacred to
the family, and things that are embitter-
ing people against this family. | OBJ
serve that all, even the oldest and best,
listen eagerly to this tale-bearing remark
upon the things told OF, and repeat them
to others again and again. / have often
asked myself, what Is right regarding
these things. but get 30 satisfactory an
swer; for am not very old in expert.
ence, so | take the liberty to ask you ;
and l shall be very glad and thankful to
you, if you will be so very kind and
obliging as to answer, through n sermon ;
and, perhaps, you will do good to others
besides your humble friend, little me.
A SCHOOL GIRL.
Our young friend asks sermon.
The sub ect is worthy of ten sermons;
but we can give only an article.
The disposition TO pry INTO the pri-
yacy of domestic life is, unfortunately,
very common, and is always dishonor.
able. The appetite for such knowledge
is to be regarded as morbid and the in
diligence of it disgraceful.
A family have q sacred right to priva-
cy. In guarding the debate relations
Of the household, secrecy becomes a vir-.
tue. Even il ty chance tho private af-
fairs Of household are laid open to a
stranger, honor would require him to
turn from them, and if . knowledge
of them were forced upon him, they
should be rocked in a sacrel silence.
A double obligation Of silence and
secrecy rests upon one whe is guest in
the family. Tie turpitude Of betrayal
Of family history by visitor, is far
greater than theft would be. To pocket
half dozen silver spoons would do far
less damage, produce far ess suffering,
and be less immoral than talebearing.
1t is a thing so scandalous that it should
degrade person, and put him out of
society. TO betray the secrets Of the
household is not only an odeus immoral
ity, but it is a sin aud shame to be on
good terms with those who are known
to commit such outrages. They are
miscreants. They put themselves out
of the pale of decent society. They
should be treated as moral outlaws
These hungry-eyed wretcbes who sit
in the unsuspicious circle of parents and
children, treasurng their words, spying
their weakness, misinterpreting the inno-
cent liberties of the household, and then
run from house TO house with their
shameless news, are worse than poison
ers Of wells or burners of houses. They
poison the faith Of man in man. If
one opens his mouth to tell you such
things with all your might smite him in
the face! There are two actions which
justify you in instantly knocking a man
down: the one is the act Of pointing a
gun at you in sport, and the other is the
attempt TO tell you secret which it is
disgracclul for him to get, and for you to
hear. 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 pests save one, and
that is the listener to the table.bearer!
There could be no tattling if tn ere
were no one to hear. 1t takes an ear
and tongue to make scandal. Greedy
listening is rs djshonorable as nimble
tattling.-The ear is the open market
where the tongue sells its i'll gotten wares.
Some there are that will not repeat
again what they hear, but they are
willing to listen 10 it! They will not
trade in contraband goods, but they will
buy enough of the smuggIer for family
use!
These respectable listeners are the
patrons of taltlers. 1t is the ready mar.
ket that keeps tale bearing brisk. 1t is
shame to listen to i'll Of your neighbor.
Christian benevoleuce demands that
you do not love i'll news. a clear heart
and a true honor rejoice 10 kindly things.
1t should be pain and sorrow to know
of anything that degrades your neighbor
in your eyes, even if he is your enemy;
and how much more if he is your
friend?
"Little Ne" shows by her letter that
she has good and honorable heart. Let
her persuade others to her way of think
ing. And as help to the good work,
we will give her some wholesome texts
from the sacred Scriptures to make SER
mons out OF.
Thou shalt not 60 up and down rs a
talebearer among thy people"
GA talebearer revealeth secrets; but
he that is of faithful (honorable) spirit,
concealeth the matter"
The words of the talebearer are as
wounds that 90 down into the innermosi
parts Of the belly"
The Hebrews thought that the affec.
tons had their seat 10 the entrails aud
bowels, and by his phrase, :" 90 down in
to the inuermost parts of the belly"
they signify how sharp and exasperating
to the deepest feelings Of our nature, are
the cruel offices of a common tattler.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth
out; so where there is no talebearing,
the strife ceaseth."