The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-07-21
Satan and ISLANDERS.

Satan and ISLANDERS.
Calumnies are as old as our race; for
they began in Paradise and were first ut
tered by him who is well termed the
accursed' the father of lies and liars. .
In seeking to put down the false and in
furious reports some:
1. Render railing for railsnq The
attempt to vie with our detractors in
taunts and railing is foolish and miser-
able resort. Retaliation at once raises
the suspicion that there is some truth in
the allegations, for conscious innocence
will not stoop to recriminations.
Ii. Some affect O SopercllioslS t,adif-
ference. Their assumed indifference is
inconsistent with modest self-apprecia-
ton. They who care not what is said
respecting themselves, are not likely to
live above the merited reproach. The
truly virtuous and good are far from be-
ing Indifferent to what may injuriously
affect their reputation.
Ill. Some prosecute their defamers.
Entering civil court in order to estab-
llsh ones innocence, may sometimes be
necessary, but it is measure of doubtful
expediency. Very seldom is ones char
aoter improved thereby, as the motives
of prosecution are usually supposed to
be revengeful There must be circum-
stances of unusual Importance pressing
upon truly worthy man, ere he will be
persuaded to go before judges, jurors,
lawyers, and crowd of spectators, to
prove his character.
". Some are at great pains to con-
trad1ct all false rumors. Not unfre-
quently have such their hands full of
business. The more notice you take Of
slanderers, the more industriously will
they defame you AS class, they have
very little character, and rejoice in every
opportunity to attract some notice, by at
lacking those whose names are associated
with respect.
Now in the review of these various
plans restored to in self-defence, we are
compelled to affirm there must be another
and better one. In vast majority of
instances, silence is the most effective de-
fence. Formally to refute SANDER is
first of all to extend its publication 1t
is invariably the wisest course to let the
devil carry his own mail, and bear his
own expenses. GA lie will travel round
the world, while truth is putting on its
boots" A little faith and patience will
serve one quite as well as labored vindi-
cations. Habitual integrity is the best
refutation. Of his slanderers, Socrates
said, I" [ shall try so to live that no one
shall believe them" Let foul breath
blow upon diamond, and its wonted
lustre will soon be restored. "For so is
the will of God, that with well doing we
may put to silence the ignorance of foolish
men," Not rendering evil for evil or
railing for railing, but contrariwise bless
ing" There is something Christ-like
when they who are reviled revile not
again, and when they bless those who
prosecute them, and say all matter of
evil against them falsely. There is a
homely proverb that he who spitteth
against the wind spitteth in his own
face" 1t is so with him who spitteth
against the character of the innocent and
virtuous. All the assaults of his malice
recoil on his own head Let him have his
own way, and your innocence, and his
infamy will both be made apparent.
The trial of your patience will be a
profitable exercise. Your name for a
season may be under the cloud, but it
will shortly appear brighter than before.
Possess your soul in patience. Move
quietly and steadily onward in an up
right way, and fear not the evil which is
aimed at you "Who is he that will
harm you, if we be followers of that
which is good?" Those who try to in
jure you will perhaps be more inimical
towards you because unable to provoke
you to be revengeful. Be it 80, il
it must. Commit thy way unto the
Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall
bring forth thy righteousness as the light
and thy judgment as the monday
Baltimore PresbWerjon.