Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-04-06
aKeep the Door Of Thy Lips

No mishep of life--neitherl persecution,
nor poverty, nor shame--c.n cause anguish
keener than do the deep wounds OF hasiy
words. A thoughtless uiterance may be the
signal Of woe, ,'both to him who speaks, and
him to whom it is spoken. Untutored, and
unpondersd, il may go cut from tho lips like
curse, ooly to return after kiuding sorrow in
helpless heart. Why should it have been
spoken? twas but melancholy contribution
to the too full cup Of human bitterness. IL
threw shadow on lonely path, where other
wissthere has been sunbeam. Itleaves a regret
behind it, and, like our yesterdays it can never
be recalled. thasIg gone cut to make its sad
and irrevokable record, Of which though mer-
cy may wipe out the guilt, yet.the recollection
will remain for ever.
And how needless that remark. There.wss
no real occasion for it. No serousprovocation
nervous restlessness overcamc the sOuli the
thoughts were moment bewildered. Then
prudence slumbered; and the tongue broks
its chain, and came nigh to breaking an inno-
cent heart.
But then, it was only little thing; very
slight word. ltwasonly a little pebble thrown
into the sea. Nay, but as far out as the vision
could sweep, that little pebble disturbed the
tranquil waters. 1t was onlya little mite
Nay but it wasthoughtlessly cast into the eye
Of loving friend, and pain and blindness en-
sued
A little thing say you But behold how
great matter a little fire kindleth." A single
spark will ignite a mine, and blow up noun
tain A whsrf.rat will cut through dam in
a'night and food country; and what will
not little, burning, hasty word do2
The lips are the door Of a sacred shrine, and
it is ncedful that the holy guardsman should
keep the door, lest the uDcean pass and rcpass,
and .deflc the shrine, and destroy the treasures.
Ah who shall measure 10 time, or tell in eter-
nifty, the sad result of hssty word
Twas but phrase or so-'tis gone
IT'S past-and yet the ear whereOn il fell
Is thrilled with drest dissonance,
And two iull hearts are breaking with the bitter
memory.
Like friction on the fbres Of an unhealed wound,
Like frosty winds upon the unsheltered infancy,
hidden anguish drinking'up the blood.
Such is tue SAVIOR and solution Of speech
Ill-timed. Or.
Alas, too true are the above sentiments, as
too many have sadly realized, all along in life's
pathway How many hearts have been bro
ken By some cruel thoUehtless words which
have pierced the already bleeding heart, and
well would it be- for It's 20 heed the advice Of
the poet, who. wrote,
"BewEre Of careless words,
They have afearfu power,
And jar upon the spirits chords
Through many weary hour"
Well sings another kind words never die"
God gave them birth, winged with a smile
let them 1y over the earth. Many have been
arrested in course Of crime by kind word
and also the opposite; many have been hur-
ried with rapid speed, by harsh, cruel treat
ment. Often as have met in the streets Of
our cities, some wrctched, weary son or daugh-
ter Of Adam, have felt constrained to inquire
what led them astray? Well sings the poet
"Chide mildly the erring,
Kind language endesrs,
Grief fellows the sinful,
Add not to their tears"