The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-11-04
Household secrets.


The disposition Of mhpy persons to
pry into the privacy Of domestic life is
unfortunately, very common, and Is al-
ways dishonorable. The appetite for
such knowledge is to be regarded as
morbid, and the indulgeupe of II az.
graceful. A family has . sacred riebt
to privacy. In guarding the delicate
relations of the household secrecy b.
comes virtue. Even il by chance the
private affairs Of household are hid
open to stranger, honor would require
him to turn from them and, ifa know
le lge of them we're forced upon him,
they should be locked in a sacred 81.
leBee. A double obligation of sileuce
and secrecy rests upon ono who u q
guest in family. The turpitude Of q
betrayal of family history by visitor
is far greater than theft would be. IL
is thing so scandalous that il should
degrade a person, and put hun oot Of
society. To betray the secrets of the
household is not only an edious i,Amo-
rality. but il is sin and 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 40
moral outlaws.
Those hungry.eyed wretches rha'sh
in the pnsasnieious circle Of parepts
and children, treasnring their words,
spying their weaknesses, misiBterpre-
ting the innocent liberties of the house.
hold, and then run from honse to house
with their shameless news. are worse
than poisoncrs 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 mep..
Hunt, harry and hound them ont Of
society. They are the worst Of pests,
save one, aud that is the listener to the
tale bearer. a.t3 3a
There could be no tattling If there
were no one TO hear. It takes an cnf
aud tongue to make q scandal. Greedy,
listening is as dishonorable AZ nimble
tattling. The ear is the opon market
where the tongue sells its ill-gotteu
wares. Some there are who will not
repeat again what they hear, but they
are willing to listen TO il. They will
not trade in coutraband goods, but they
will buy enough Of the smuggle for
family use. These respectable listeners
are the patrons of tattlers. Il is the
ready market that keeps tale bearing
brisk. 1t is a shame to listen TO III Of,
your neighbor. Christian benevolence
demands that you do not love III news.
A clean heart and true honor rejoics
in kindly things. 1t should be pain
and sorrow to know of anything thas,
degrades your neighbor in your eyes,
even he is your enemy; and how much
more if he is your friend?
The Scriptures say: "Theu sIfaH
not 60 up and down as tale. bearer.
among thy people" "a tale bearer
reyealeth secrets but he that is of, o.
faithful (honorable) spirit conccaleth
the matter" "The words of the fxles
bearer are as wounds that 20 down into
the innermost parts Of the belly The
Hebrews thought that the affections had
their seat in the bowels; aud by this
phrase, Ego down into the innermost
parts Of the belly" they signify how
sharp aud exasperating to the deepest
feelings Of eur nature are the cruel
Offices of a common tattler. 80 : :
where no wood is, tho ERE eoetkn
out; so, where there is no talc-bearing,
the strife ceaseth." Commend d % !.
that religion which makes 0 man hu- ,
name with his tongue aud honorable
with his ear. a 4