The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-08-02
Professional Honor.


is not only the impudent interviewer who
drags 10 light every family secret out Of
which to make up his column, but doc
tors, lawyers, ministers and servants di.
vulge family secrets. Truly it is incum-
bent on all who have anything to conceal
to watch their tongues and regulate their
conduct, for gossiping professionals and
garrulous acquaintances present us to a
large audience and are very likely to mis-
represent both speech and act. The only
thing that gives us comparative protection
from these dangerous classes is a we'll
ordered conversation and faultless con-
duct. When society takes two or three
steps higher up, the scandal-monger will
be esteemed SO l0athsOme that every front
door will be slammed in his face. And
the question here arises: Should we'll.
regulated families take pleasure, as 90
many OF them do, in recounting and ex-
aggerating the discreditable things of
which neighbors are sometimes guilty /?
Charity and kindness grieve over wrong.
doing, and the soul in which these char.
acteristics dwell never repeats unfavora-
BILE stories about neighbors any more than
does the loving mother about her boy who
has erred. All these pray for and counsel
privately the offending one. The minister
enters families as confidential friend
and adviser, and unless he is man of
good Judgements the majority of minis
tiers are-the skeleton in the family is
mentioned to the wife who is not in every
case as discreet as minister's wives should
be. She sympathizingly mentions the
matter TO the deacon's wife. who before
the matter is ended tells the most of the
congregation. So it is sometimes with the
doctor and the lawyer, who are likewise
confidential advisers, but some of whom
forget to paddock their tongues. All such
ale-bearers and violators of confidence Al e
themselves aggrieved when they are the
subjects of unfavorable criticism Put.
ting yourself in his or her place before al
lowing the tongue license is an excellent
rule. The tattler who has done an injury
is entitled to forgiven ess only when he re
forms and apologies.
Let US mention two cases which merit
commentator. The one was the wife of
DIR. Chalmers. The doctor had moved in
to new parish. The busy. body" was
soon on hand with information about
the ways of this parishioner, and the hab-
its of that one. Il am surprised" said
the excellent lady; land although busy
l will put on my bonnet and we will 90
over together and tell these people the
stories which are in circulation concern.
ing Them" The busy body refused to 60.
The visit was not made, and the pastor
and wife were saved much trouble.
Nothing like nipping an evil in the bud
The other case was that of a successful
farmer of a neighboring State. He would
listen to no bad stories about ncighbors.
With vigorous language he cOntradicted
them on the spot. That man was uni
versally respected in his neighborhood
Silently he initiated his Divine Master
Neither do condemn thee; go, and sin
no more"
Reader. be advised. We care not
whether you are q professional or private
citizen, aim to be a man of honor and q
follower of the Golden Rule. Delight not
in the circulation of unfavorable stories
about friends or enemies. Attach not
yourself to that infamous class who, worse
than their ancestors, are ever ready to cast
the first stone. Are you so righteous that
there is not flaw in your life? How an
swereth thou? Of this be sure: You have
of yourself no power to tame the tongue.
That power you must get from Heaven.
You are weak; Christ is strong. Form a
partnership with Heaven and become a
complete and hOnOred man. Stealing
money is taking trash, but depriving
neighbors and acquaintance of their gUod
name is the worst of crimes. Get out of
the unholy business, and as you expect
others to be kind to you and your wife,
your son end daughter, deaf lightly with
others. As you sow, so shall you reap.
The difficult part of the foregoing ad-
vice is to apply it to newspaper editor.
For in the first place it is not only his
business but his duty to give any and all
important news that transpires, but Ger.
tainly not to eavesdrop or keyhole or be-
tray confidence in order to publish news.
And in the second place it should be his
business, as it is his duty, to condemn
what is unjust, cruel or wicked in the
conduct of others when it comes legiti-
mately before him. Neither will it do to
say, Let him be perfect before he blames
others, for in that case there would be no
faithful journals.-N. Y. Witness.