The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-08-12
Scandal -Mongers.
~ n. o. WATTS.

"who steals my pure steals sr..A, Ills 'om.tAina
'Tw. mine, us his, and has been slave to th0u
Hss hs !Ss! s.s:, mo s% m, my sest ,;
And makes me poor indeed" -Ilf -..
30 says Shakspeare's Isgo; and q this world
goes, the truth Of the idea contained In the quo.
tation Is pretty generally accepted; and though
"good name In man or woman Is the i'm
mediate Jewel Of the SOUL" yet the reputation
alone Is actually Of no real accounti It 10 the
character that tells. A mans reputation d
what others think of him; his character Is what
he really Is. A mans reputation may be good ,
his fair name may be untarnished, not stain
may sully him in the estimation Of others,
while his character may be black, hideous and
hateful. On the other hand, . mans reputa-
tion may be bad-rports severely affecting bis
standing may be in circulation, and he may be
by-word on every lying tongue. when his
character may be good and pure. His charac-
ter is one thing-whst he really Is; his reputa-
ton another thng,-whst he seems to be-, .I
We are admonished by the Apostle Paul, to
"Speak evil OF no man; to be no brawlers.' -
But there are those. and many Of them. who
"Devote TO scandal their oongsnial mind,
Themselves . living libel on mankind"
This class Of people seem to engage their
whole time in defsming the fair name Of their
fsllows-sossiping, tattling, falsifying, and OF.
very Oft, their jealousy shapes faults that are
not. They are ever "uttering grievous words
to stir up snger;" continually setting the neigh
borhood on FIRE with their senseless tattle; know
everybody's business; meddle with everybody .
affairs; suspect wrong where Il does not exist,
and poison the happiness Of oil that come with
In the circle Of their acquaintance. Solomon
thus discourses on this class Of creatures:
at is an honor for man To cease from strifs but
every fool will be meddling." .Hr-r a"
ale that goeth about as tale-bearer revealeth
secrets, therefore meddle not with him that latter
eth with his lips" ....f......
"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keep.
eth his soul ffom troubles"
"Where no wood Is there the FIRE goeth out; 50
where there Is no tale-bearer the strife ceaseth."
at is as sport TO q fool TO do mischief"
"Even fool when he holdeth his pesce 10 counted
wise; and he that shutteth his lips Is esteemed s
man Of understanding"
In fact It Is difficult for the imagination to
conceive Of more detestable, infnitessimally
mean and obnoxious thing than tattler. To
give circulation to reports dcrogatory to ones
reputation, even though done with strict refer
ence to veracty, and without color or exsgger-
alton Is almost unparionable. "a tale-bearer
revealeth secrets but he that Is Of Q faithful
spirit concealeth the matter" But when the
abominable tattler. his tongue seething with
bitter cslumny, pours out his damnlng falsi6-
tons. for no other purpose than to ruin the rep
utation Of his fellow man, we'll might 1t be ask
Cd respecting him
.r' "When the Judge descends In light,
Clothed In majesty and might; ..
80 When the wicked quake with fear,
r Whers, o, pA,rs wilt fhou appearr
But there Is q consolation 10 those who are
rcviled and calumniated; for It Is recorded in
Holy Writ, -'t'l. i.
"Wo unto you when al men speak we'll Of you,
And again .tI..r..tl tl.n. gUf ss...
"Blessed are ye when men shall reyile you and
persecute you, aud shall say al manner or evil
against you fAlsely. for my sake. Rejoice and DO
exceeding glad. f6r great ls your reward In heaven;
for 90 persecutcd they the prophets which wero be-
fore yOu." 30 .f. .f....... ..