The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-04-13
For the REGISTER
Only a Word.
BY ELINoR.

A sharp singing word perhaps. that
brought the color to the cheek OF friend,
and cut like blast Of winter. 1t was
better never spoken, and will rankle in
the heart Of the hearer, long after it has
been forgotten by the careless speaker.
How often we hear them, and how often,
too, we utter them. The tongue is an un.
ruly member and needs n bride. If we
do not restrain our bad impulses to those
around us, render ourselves miserable and
unhappy, and exert an influence deadly
as the Upas, which will extend into eter.
nifty.
1t may be an effort to restrain the bad
passions and angry feelings; it may be
h~-a;i;.,iug 10 listen to insults, without
retaliating, but infinitely better in the
end. Better bear great many insults ::
better be umiliated to the very dust. than
utter words which will cause another
pain, and ourselves lifetime Of unhappi-
ness and regret. The meek and lowly
Jesus never retaliated. Though spit
upon, hisscd, abused, insulted, and at last
crucifed, he bore it all in sweet, patient
humility, suffering for our sakes, and at
the last uttering prayer for his persecu-
tors, Father forgive them, for they
know not what they do" How few of us
"know what We do" Christian men and
women, or those calling themselves such,
all over the land, make daily use of those
sharp, bitter words, which fall on the
community like poisoned arrows, doing a
world Of harm wherever they 90. The
followers of Jesus are indeed, unlike him,
and "there is none perfect, no, not one -
1t is only word, that sends a darling
child out into temptation and danger.
o parent the world is full of sin and
wickedness, it is no place for your dar-
! ling. Keep back the sharp words once
in while, that do no good, and no much
harm, and make it pleasant, loving
home bright, attractive place, that
shall be more alIuring than the billiard
saloon, or the grog shop.
Only word, but it was a cold, proud
answer, and severed two loving heart.
forever. Wives would do well to keer
back the angry reply, when tired hus
band comes home at night. Often an i'll
tempered wife has driven her husband t.
seek the gilded saloons of vice, rathel
than remain in her company and listen to
bitter words II husbands and wives
would keep back the bitter words aud re
strain chilling answers, until better feel
ings came to take their places, ther,
would be fewer unhappy marriages, ant
less divorce cases.
1t is only word uttered, perhaps by
careless unieel'ng judge, that condemns
criminal, cuts of human soul forever
and shuts out all the brightness of earth
at one fell blow. He deserved it, We
life looks bright 20 the vile as well as tn
pure.
Vulgar words and slang phrases hav
a large hold on society, corrupting it
morals, and rendering him who utter
them contemplate in the eyes of all re
fined and intelligent persons. They ar
uttered carelessly, thoughtlessly perhaps
they fall on the mind of that lstenin
child, like tares that will spring up a
hundred fold, and choke out goodnes
and purity. Better poison the body Q
your child, than his soul. 1t should
the duty of all, who call themselye
Christians to bear this in mind, when an
CRY words rise to their lips, and kee
them back, "a soft answer turneth ava
, wrath, and kind words will live, who
the lips that utter them are closed fore,
er." Life is in measure what We ma
! it. We see many sad faces around u
telling Of heavy hearts, too often the r,
suit Of angry words and their own willfu
ness. The world is bright, beautifl
t place, and most people can be happy
; they will let the sunshine in. and kee
: out bad temper and cold unfeeing wor,
!. that make SO many lives wretched."
Let them fall the pleasant words, j
sus loves them. They will brighten O,
p lives, and make us and those around
: happy.
A natiant waitar. N vnun Z, 1oolor