The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1877-08-31
ION Dit =.

purpose. - heys say blasts many
fair name; and fond hopes are ruth
lessly withered by this social Upas
which we find planted in nearly every
community. 'sThey say sthe refuge
for all towards, who, like so many hu,
man s'carion crows are hunting so.
ciety over to find in somebody's repu-
tation sufficient faint to satisfy their
own vitated taste. s'They say" is au-
thority for the vilest assertions, or the
most abusive insinuations, and the only
way we can account for scandal being
so well received is the fact patent to
all, that depraved human nature al,
ways has a keener relish for that which
is positively bad. than its opposite. In
large cities the details of. a slanderous
report are unknown to> the nearest
neighbors unless it assumes sufficient
propo2 tions to get into the papers; but
let stranger move into the perturbed
circles Of small yillage-if a woman,
alone and unprotected, God pity her.
She may conduct herself with the Ut
most propriety, wearing the attire of
other and happier days, yet how long
will it be ere some human jackal will
start the report that '.they say" s:she
is no better than she ought to beg or
some rival launch the invidious re-
, mark that ''she, is dressing far better
than she can afford to in her, circum-
stances" the grand finale to this social
inquisition is brought about by some
disinterested (D friend calling to ad.
wise her into greater carefulness. If
met by rush of indignant tears and
question Of What it all means
Mrs. Grundy goes out to publish an.
other volume of gossip revised and en-
larged, while the innocent victim who
may be as pure in heart as a saint,
wonders if life holds no reward for
well doing but suspicion, and no en-
couragement but distrust. You may
say this picture does not illustrate the
rule-but we have seen it's counter
part in many rare exceptions.
Ii flying rumors were met with the
rebuke which was once administered
by a good old clergyman in the En-
rire State, they would not attain such
amazing velocity. A good brother
came to him with the usual :'they
say'sshard things about Bro. A.
s'Welf do you believe it!'' .sNo."
F'Neither do IT,. Without so much as
asking, what the story was. Humanity
when transformed by divine grace is
expected to be at least charitable; but
how many in Christian churches seem
toforget that the Cruci6ed One taught
bothslove and charity, while they wrap
the immaculate cloak Of their religion
about them and with the tips of trigid
fingers think they are fully commits.
stoned to ''rescue the perishing.'' Do
they forget that of such as they He
said: .'Then shall they say unto me in
that day, Lord, lord have we not
'prophesiedtin thy name, and in thy
name done many wonderful works.
but the Judge shall say, depart from
me ye cursed. never knew you -
The Christianity that will evangelize
the world, does not assume the air of
Stand aside, am holier than thou;''
but rather; the gentle words of the
worlds reedemer, IN either do con.
denim thee, go and sin no more.'' It is
really wonderful how well preserved
evil reports are; some memory is SUI e
to retain all the bitter and rankli4 no
calumnies, while sweet and tenn Ter
words and kind acts are soon forgot ten
Poor, weak human nature, With the
power. to become immortal, YET; ever
consenting to the influence of ev j. un-
til the spirit which prompts to, better
things, and grander, nobler 1,ossibilj.
ties is withdrawn forever! Anv one
who has ever attempted to I trace ..On
Dit to it's source has dout ,tless been
as well rewarded as the list ,ener to the
story Of the ''lhree Black Crows > for
story in circulation incrf .ases II vol.
ume as surely as the it'll handful Of
snow under schoolboy manipulation
becomes fort or mol1I tain. A per-
sons character is just what it is. his
reputation what til is said to be.
Apropos to my subj ,ect is the recent
dastardly attack on che character Of a
young NJ. D. Of thj $ place; his assail.
ants, having no four ldation for their as.
sertlons take she tier behind anony.
nous letters and ''thsy say for the
contemplate inn aendos. For while |
40 not attempt to deny that. Dr.. w.
mas faults-as chew are also a mart of