Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-11-04
miscellany.
Thoughts for the Thoughtful.

Mr.. Arnold saws There is no surer
proof of q narrow and ill-instructed
mind than to think and uphold that
what q man takes to be truth upon
religions matters is always to be pro-
claimed" Mr. Greg, in one of his
judgments" finds serious fault with
this proposition, but in one respect, at
least, it is sound. For instance, we find
that the Christian religion, as it is
taught to-day, and has for many years
been taught, is purifying. elevatlng,
saving influence among all men who IN
faith receive, and, in life, practice it.
SO much we know-that, however false
our theologies may be, and however
incorrect our views of all that relates to
God and man in their nature and rela-
tons, We hold enough of pure and vital
truth to bring the hearts of men into
sympathy with Jesus Christ, and their
lives into cOnsonance with his. Now, until
a man has something as good to say
something more sound, simple saving
better based, more easily compre-
hended, working larger and better
results, let him keep silence with his
doubts, and withhold his hand from
destruction. Nothing is more basely
cruel than the destruction of any system
of religious life that has good in it
without having in hand something bet
ter to put in its place. The time for
keeping silence is when one has nothing
to put in place of that which his words
are intended to destroy. We may not
hold the truth in its purity, but we hold
enough of it to make it invaluable, and
until we can present 1t in purer and
more fruitful form, so that those who
may cut loose from their old belief
shall have something to grasp that is
better. it is well to hold the tongue and
restrain the pen.-Dr. Holland, IN
.Scri6ner's.
WHY is it right to fit from page to
page of dictionary by the help of the
alphabetical order, and wrong to travel
from one part of a history or book OF
travels to another by the help OF the
index Of the book happens to be toler'
ably indexed), table OF contents, or
otherwise? We can see no answer to
this, so long as the object of reading
the book is knowledge, and not artistic
pleasure. The writer can at most only
guess what things it will be convenient
to tell an intelligent reader must know
best what things he wants to be told.
II is the same with argumentatlve
writing. essays. and the like. You see
by q glance at the first page OF hali-a.
dozen that the whole space is filled
with setting forth an argument with
which YOU are quite familiar, to which
you will never be converted, or to whlch
Won need no conversion; (; by what man
ner or duty or reason can you be bound
To read the other five pages? 1t may
be answered. Because the style gives q
new lustre to old matter. But then
you are no longer reading with the
single view of information, and the
instance is no exception to the first
branch of our rule, but a couhrmation
of the second. 1t shows, not that IL II
wrong to skip when you read Tor learn
ing. but that it is right not to sklI
when you read for pleasure.-Sdf"rady
ReUieU.
What stronger breast plate than heart nntain'ed unit,
Thrice is he arm'd that hath his glarrel. Juss''
ana he buf naked though locl'd up IN steel,
hhose --SidkepsGrc-
Reflection will show that all losses
whatever. so far as they are at all I'm,
nortant. are estimated IN terms OF
indefinite possibilities rather lhan VI
any definite enjoyment. A man may
live among books he never reads, or sl'
in one place all the day but let MN
mislay a book and he will straightway
fancy that he wants to read 1t let HIN
loose the use of his legs for time, ano
he is filed with restless longIngs te
walk to several places at once. The los
of money, again. is the loss not merely
of sny one of the things one might nave
done with it, but of the choice among
all those things.-Pau Nal Gazette.
Cultivated men always feel and spear
so. as if a great fortune, the achieve
ment of a civil or social measure, grea'
personal influence, a graceful ana com
handing address, had their value ,t a.
proofs Of the energy of the spirit. m Ii
man lose his balance, and lmmefs'
himself in any trades or pleasures iol o
their own sake, he may be good wnee
or pin, but he is not cultivated man
Emerson.
able: but It is heavy enough to crust
world. TdlDldge.