Smyrna times., 1875-04-14
A Contrast.

Among the many causes Of pain and sor.
row IN the world, the most potent are the
wounds which we wantonly intiict upon
each other. When we reflect on the nulner-
ou4 trials which visit mankind. in the shape
OF poverty, sickness bereavement. the fail.
ure of effort and the disappointment Of
hopes 1t would seem a. if none could be
found 50 cruel as willfully to add to the
long catalogue. That there are some who
do this deliberately, and many more who
do 1t thouglltlcSsly, must be admitted
fefhaPs there l. no weapon 50 strong to in
JHre, and 50 keen to wound. as the tongue.
Capable Of showerine the richest blessinos
OF lore and sympathy. Of hope and cheer.
"i n>tru :tion and encouragement. it is vet
too often made the channel through which
the venom Of >elfislInrs5 AMI malice flows
a. poison and destroy human harpin.>,
Not only through open unkindness and
harsh aSprritv are the wounds Of the tonpuc
inflicted: there is a more iu,i,liou. and
secret course l"'s palpsbly cruel. often in
dead a,-u n:nt III" @Ji~c OF apparent sin
rr.ty an i triendihipand thus wholly ascap
IN tn oPprobriun il justly deserves. OF
all the evils that corrupt our social life
tn"r" are none 20 pprniciOu- as those in
h"'t''l by III" cunning and malicious tattlcr.
" I"n We meet face 70 face with foe. w.
~ least know what W.. encounter, and can
prepare for the assault; but when we are
stabbed i'll tine dark, thrust at bv supuosed
friendship and ~mittcn by the hand that
c1resses u'. then indeed is bitter cup pre-.
sented to our lips. II is impossible TO cal
cuiate the power for evil that is welded by
such character. BY willy conversation he
may worm himself into others secrets. and
then disclose them. causing infinite injury
by misrepresentation and exaggerated color
ln5 he m1y pro luce utterly false inpre..
sIon', breaking up iricnl4iips, sowing the
SEEDS of d!strust. casting eIuivocal -lurs on
the character and conduct Of tio4,. most
worthy of respect, ma ,nifying petty acts of
thouglitlessne-s or trivial errors into srriou,
and objectionable offences, and in q thou.
sand ways clouding the happiness and de-
a
claim to sympathy and regard
WHAT contrast to such a character i,
that OF the sincere, truthful, selfrcspcctjuo
person. VINO 50 earnestly and cnergetically
pursups lis own occupation that he Lo.
neither leisure nor incl!n4tion t. Dry into
the affairs of others who, with all simni.
city and faith fun"s., fulfilS his own rela-
tions in life and leaves others in freedom
wing un-ullied the reputation of other, as
in respecting their right. of property.
Such one is not afraid of suspicion, for he
is himself unsuspiciou@, and is ever more
than their defects he fears not calumny.
for lie never stOOpS to calumniate another;
he breads no exposure, for his life is one Of
transparent sincerity. Thoroughly respec.
ting others, he commands for himself the
respect of all. His own troubles are not
paraded for the purpose of exciting pity,
but are borne with fOrtitude, while he never
suffers them so to absorb him as to prevent
his ready sympathy with those of others,
His joys are multiplied by sharing them
with friends, and he can usually command
"a heart at leisure from itself
TO soothe and sympatbze"
OF all the many qualities which combine
to form the blessing and charm of social
life, none is more essential than straight