Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-04-07
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Blessed are the Peace Makers.

What blessed promises arc extended to
those who try TO make peace where there is
discord and strife. Did we ever pause to
realize it, and do we think of IL enough and
as we ought, and seek to work as well as
think, and if we see GOODNESS between our
friends do we strive to remove the cause and
restore peace and tranquility where there
we're strife and unhappiness2 Or do we say
one to the other at is a shame for them TO
do so !" and thus widen the breach until these
who were friends few months ago, pass
each other with scarcely nod Of recognition,
each feeling the other at fault2 Aud there
are others who study to plant the seed Of dis
cord where friendship has been unrufed and
smooth as sea Of glass. Can we not each
remember some instance where some "busy.
body" has caused US to treat some friend in
manner regretted aiterward All how
artfu !! First they come to us, perhaps with
complaints from the Same person between
whom and ourselves they wish to sever the
bonds of friendship! Yes, they tell us the
good things they have said Of us, how much
they think of us, etc. Then comes a slight
pause--it will not do to turn an abrupt
corner, that would cause inquiry-then some
word dropped as by accident, then some sly
hint--then turn confidential, aud exact
promise that we will not "run aud tell" and
cause trouble. Then follows something mot
much to be sure) perhaps you might never
think of it again were it to stop there. (The
"busybody" knows this full we) then comes
something more to the point, still you do not
doubt the sincerity Of your friends. There
is something told which causes you to start,
certainly there must be something to make that
Of, else how did they know 50 much ? This
sets us thinking-but it does not stop here
Of course not They take a deeper hold,
and tell US the friend we have tursted is say.
ing hard things of us to everybody. We
notice GOODNESS perhaps it is in our own
hearts, we do not know it, however. We
see sly gances we see, we hear, and the
more we see the more we may, until We think
VIC must have been blind not to have seen
before, Then we hear that mess has come
to the ears Of our friends that we have re.
ported concerning them. Then comes our
busy-friend with the message to US that our
friend has heard so and so, aud say "they
believe every word of it, it sounds just like
US, etc." Now this hits our sensitive point
We think better of ourselves than to report
such things concerning the friend we pro-
fessed publicly to respect, And to think
our friend, who has professed to respect u:
should think or believe and say this sounded
just like u.s." is it any wonder our nature
should rise up in resentment against such
harsh comparisons And on seeing our
friend and accusing them Of the same-in
stead Of receiving their explanation kindly
and believing should instead think it wa:
only to smooth it over. And while attempt
ing some explanation on our own part, find
that through our bunging way Of talking
our meaning has been misconstrued to the
discontinue of our friend, we should, for the
time being, enjoy the chagrin of our friend
and instead Of explaining our meaning more
fully, as we should have DONE leave them Il
think worse Of US than we deserved AuC
when we have been able to think cauddly oil
the subject, seeing how we have wrongsC
our friend, have we been willing to acknowl
edge our wrong? Yes, of course, and W,
would do so the first opportunity. We SCI
our friend, but others being present w
thing we will wait for more convenient op
portunity. The next time our friend ap
pears cold and still We wait, and eact
time it seems harder, and soon the cross i
too great Meanwhile the gulf widOns, un
til scarcely nod Of recognition passes II
and our friend. Aud years roll on, aud W,
see what "busybody" can do
, Then blessed indeed are the peace.makers
for they bring peace and love to the heart
where there has been doubt, misunderstood
ing and distrust and they bring JOY to thei
own hearts, for is it not "more blessed +
give than to receive ?" And these "shal
be called the children of God"
RrooLe M1tne L T. UANIIN