St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-11-07
The Law of Charity.

MT. HUttOT - lie WOTuS Vi L dul W
the Corinthians are beautiful as well as
truthful-"And now abideth faith,
hope, charity, these three. But the
greatest of these is charity"
We should be surprised to see how
quickly these words are passed by, did
we not know the weakness and short
sightedness of human nature. The
teachings of Christ, and the subsequent
teachings of Paul and others. all breathe
this beautiful spirit of gentleness and
forgiveness. Seeing, as they did, the
light of Il higher faith, they were guided
by it, and looked upon their erring
brethren with generosity and compass
sion. To us, the manifestation of this
spirit is inexpressibly beautiful, and
shows to US clearly, that there is a
"higher law" by which all should be
willing to be guided.
If we could see little clearer into
the motives of men, perhaps we should
be more careful how we judge them.
The principles of human nature do not
change, but are about the same the
world over. We are inclined to censure
others, who are not one whit worse
than we are. Where they lack, and
make mistakes in one way, we lack and
make mistakes in another. In making
mistakes in life, we all tread the same
universal ground, and we know of no
law as safe to follow, under these Cir
cumstances, as the law of charity. In
this world we don't see things exactly
alike, and we can't always agree as to
the exact size of the full moon. These
things must needs be, as long as human
nature is what it is. We are subject to
various passions, and we do not stop to
reason much when under their control.
Hastiness of judgment, and rash actions
| which inevitably follow, have filled the
world with tears and lamentations.
We have been too much like the Ish-
maelites-Our hands against every man,
which, in retaliation, brought every
mans hand against us. We can't be-
lieve that this action in any way full
fills the principles of the higher law.
We entertain Il false notion, when we
act us though we had found out all the
secrets of creation. just as lame are
we, when we think our harsh criticisms
are an absolute necessity to mems good
conduct. Machinery runs best when
properly balanced and well fabricated.
Too much friction is dangerous. We
ought to study ourselves more and bet
ter, if we did, we should be more chart
table to others. This bearing down
upon our fellows, who do not hew ex-
act!y to the line, or who cannot think
exactly as we think, is barbarism. This
honest liberty of opinion, and that per-
fectly free action that does not infringe
the rights of others, is the bulwark of
human freedom.
Many people somehow or other make
themselves believe that the only safe
rule to go by is the iron one. They are
for putting the screws on, and tighten
ing them up to the uttermost tension.
And yet, if they are brought under the
shadow, they murmur as quickly as
Others. The golden rule is just as true
and beautiful to-day as it ever was. 1t
is the text to this "higher law we have
been talking about. Alas! That so
few heed its divine injunctions! In
this connection it might be well for us
to consider the words of the Scotch
poet
20 wad some power the giftie gle us,
To see oursels as ithers see us
1t wad frae mony blunder free u.s.
And foolish notion"
Too often, uncharitable action is based
upon the most profound meanness
These two actions are twin sisters, 60
ing hand in hand. If we illustrate this
it is not because it gives us pleasure
but because we hope somebody will
thereby "tak thought an men,"
! All neighborhoods have their busy.
bodies, whose principle duty seems to
, be to pry into other folks affairs, max.
f ing all the capital they can for publ,
! scandal. They seem to have mania
for jabbing sharp sticks and needles in.
to somebody. They will, perhaps, ST
I around stores and hotels, smoking, ask
2 ing all sorts of saucy questions, ant