Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-12-17
MAKE EXCUSES.
sFor with What Judgement We Judge Ye
Shall DC Judged.

Shall De Judged.
Make excuses, not for yourselves,
but for others. So little is known of
the interior life OF even those whose
history is thought to be well known
that motives would often justify what
seem like very strange acts. A brother
in the church, whose income was
known to be constantly on the increase,
was condemned because his contribI-
tons towards the support of the Cos
pei did not increase, as was thought,
proportionately. But matters of equal
importance with those of the church's
interest were making constant de-
Inands upon bis purse, and it was in
the direction of a private nature, out
siders thought him simply close and
unwilling to give as he was able.
A beautiful fable, read long ago, re-
lates how person who was thought to
be contrary was being constantly i'm
with the wishes of his friends by an
unseen spirit, who was continually
guiding and commanding the actions
of the man, who alone could see and
understand the spirits teachings and
presence. The ancient philosophers
used to command their cons to exact
much of themselves. to be severe in
condemning their own deeds but to be
slow in passing judgment upon the
acts of other men. One of their mot
toes was: believe only half that you
see, and nothing that you hear" This
referred to adverse hearings. This
spirit of making excuses for seemingly
questionable conduct finds only an
other expression in the warning of the
Scriptures: .For with what judgment
We Judge We shall be Judged
A nobleman, whose SenSitivenesS
was mistaken for hauteur, was anxious
to secure as private secretary man
who would be likely to think charit-
ably of his unfortunate manners. While
riding one day he overlook a man who
had been pointed out to him as a very
eccentric though learned person. The
nobleman, in his hunting suit, pre-
sented so different an appearance from
what he did in court costume that the
gentleman failed entirely to recognize
him when he overlook him, and began
conversation.
Il see," said the nobleman, 1--WE are
riding over the domains of the Earl of
X" '.Yes, so thought" He is
said to be very logged sort of per-
son." lis he, indeed? Do you know
the Earl?" Eyes, l know him well.
I'm sorry to say he is churlish at
times" ''Then he is man to be re-
spected." "Why sop IF he is only
churlish at times he must be heroic, as
the cause of occasional petulance must
be the result of constant trial. This
must be under control when he is pleas
ant" But he is distant and naughty
besides" You must excuse me, but |
should have 10 be convinced of that be-
fore could accept it as a fact" ''Then
my word is not enough for it?' ''Sir,
the word of no one is sufficient guaran-
tee in attacking the name or fame of a
person unknown. My own character
and motives are too difficult of analysis
to admit of an instant's doubt on nv
part as to the motives which actuate
another. The mercy to others show
must be the mercy to expect from
Others to me. Such were my teach
mgS III the nursery. L can never un-
learn them
The man. though poor when he en-
tered the Earl's grounds, was soon
raised to a position of trust and honor.
one for which his early teachings. never
to be unlearned, had fully fitted him.
An aged Christian. who always would
lind excuses for every one. no matter
how glazing the fault, was once told of
the shameful misdeedS of processing
Christian, the account being concluded
with the words: You surely can not
make excuses for such conduct as that"
Very well, was the reply. ..then
shall surely leave it to God to condemn
him." Make excuses when YOU can:
when that is impossible, initiate the ex-
ample of this aged saint-leave con-
demnation to God.-Goldea Rule.