Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-02-12
For the vermont
Fault Finding.

There are people who seem TO have an
eye specially adapted for spying out faults,
and to be blind to the good there is in the
world. They rejoice in the faiings and sins
Of others, and are never so happy as when
tracing out suspicion, and if it leads to the
actual presence of evil, they pounce upon it
with the greatest seeming pleasure, and tri-
umphantly bring it to light, thus glorying
in what should be their shame Persons OF
this class are usually suspicious, void of con-
science, brilliantly imaginative, and possess
tongue unfettered by truth, and the rapidity
with which they circulate an evil report is
simply amazing. There is no end to the mis-
chief they make in neighborhood, and the
misery they cause individuals is often irrep-
arabic. One can scarcely think of them
but with contempt and disdain. The man
tie of charity thrown over them must be of
the largest dimensions and of the thickest
material to render their presence endurable.
But there is another class of fault finders
far removed from this class save in their pc
cuiarity of vision. They are as quick in
seeing faults, but do not glory in them. All
your imperfections and failures they detect
at glance, but not with exultation. A
neighbours business transaction, with the
least shade of dishonesty about it, is set
down as such, leaving no margin for misun.
derstandings. An article of great value
falls under their condemnation because Of
some slight blemish, and the friend of mani
fold virtues is cast off for one failing. Aud
so they go through the world groaning and
refusing the good they might have, because
they persistently and steadfastly look at its
ills. They are not in the least related to
newsmongers, are perfectly truthful and
may not Intentionally harm any one, or pur-
posely give pain, and yet, nevertheless, they
are the most disheartening people in the
world to live with
Their sharp critical eyes will be sure to
find something amiss in your best endeavors,
and one grows discouraged in trying to
please them especially is this the case with
children. The sweetest dispositions are apt
to sour little under constant censure, and
in trying to shield and excuse themselves
children often form the habit of being un.
truthful. If they do their utmost to please,
the effort should be commended, though the
result may not be what one could wish.
There are times when it is ones duty to re-
buke friend, but it should always be done
lovingly and prayerfully. Incessant fault
finding, unmixed with deserved approval, is
always bad. Perhaps, after all, the greatest
evil resulting from this readiness to discover
defects and overlook that which is praise
worthy, falls upon the individuals themselves
1t destroys all the sweet and tender impulses
of the heart, and makes one seem unoving
and so-according to the nature of things
unloved.
They may say they cannot help seeing
flaws if they really exist. Possibly not; but
that is no reason why they should look al
them exclusively. Let them compel them
selves to look at the good as well as the evil
and STRIFE to cherish kindliness of feeling
and above all humbly and earnestly comt
unto him who has commanded that we have
charity for one another, and I'll venture tc
say they will find life richer and fuller oi
pleasure, and be able to accomplish much
more good in the world.
trust you and |, dear reader, do not be
| long to either of these classes but it is JUS
possible that we find fault more than il
needed, and are sometimes severe in ou
criticisms of persons when, if we knew
their circumstances and motives of action
we should find far more to pity thar
blame, aud it is just possible too that IRE ma,
give our friends occasion for exercising tina
charity that " sutfereth long and is kind"