Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-08-26
echancwn, Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Aug. rs, 1885,

height of u lofty mountain and becomes
in the end the foundation of confdcn
assertions and rash, severe and un JUS
judgments.
The researches of the curious and in
quisitive are not always the result o
idleness. They are often prompted by
feelings of jealousy, rivalry and en-
w, by the desire to find something
that will effect the business, impair the
circumstances, or in ure the reputation
of the imaginary rival and bring hun
down to their level and this desire is
stimulated bv the delusion that the
sinking of others in public estimation
will elevate them. These efforts are
usually made under an affected show Of
interest by friendly concern and
fcigned apologies for the failings OF
others. That the story may more eff
fectivcly poison the mind Of the hearer
toward the accused, it is interlarded
with many regrets and sighs OF sympa-
thy, and the inquiry what is our duty
under the circumstances ? and what
can be done for his relief.
Neighbor A goes across the street to
neighbor B and astonishes him with
his recital and laments. Sister G calls
her neighbor to the yard fence saying,
keep the children back for have a
great secret to tell you and in a whi8-
per relates the report that is going
around town about her friend till her
neighbours nervous system Is shocked.
Sometimes the motives back of all this
are purely financial, an eilort to effect
another's business. Sometimes it is to
iniure the social standing OF others or
to resent some imaginary slight. But
alas, sometimes it arises from feelings
of Church rivalry and at other times
from various causes even among meln-
berS OF The same church.
Whenever, wherever and from what
ever motives it is very reprehenslble
and contrary to the spirit Of christian
ity, for this disposition is the reverse OF
that amiable spirit of charity on which
the gospel lays such great stress. 1t is
not in keeping with the golden rule
DO unto others as ye would they
should DO unto you
Charity covereth a multitude Of sins,
but this prying mcddl'ng spirit seeks
to discover and divulge them. Charity
thinktth no evil, but this spirit always
suspects the worst. Charity rejolcrth
not in iniquity but this temper
trlumphs in the discovery of errors,
faiIings and shortcomings. Charity
like the sun brightens every object on
which it Shines but the inquisitive and
censorious cast every character into the
darkest shade it will bear.
The evil results of this disposition do
not only affect those VIII ON the censor
ous attack, but they also rccoil upon
the individual himself, for before the
malicious report has died away, the
hidden rancor that originated it and
the secret malignity that lies at the
bottom is discovered, and recoils upon
the inventor and all who aid in its pub.
licaton.
All jealousy and envy originates with
Satan and partakes in the binding et-
fects Of all sin, by which the sinner l8
unable to see himself or his own inter
ests. The Jealous and envious do not
remember that the manifestation OF
jealousy or envy toward any one IS an
acknowledgment of his superiority, for
men arc not Jealous Of their interiors,
they DO not envy those beneath them,
they do not envy the pauper or tramp,
but those who are above them, there
fore all who are wise will seek to follow
the Apostles advice and from "tattIers
ard busy bodies in other mems mat
tcrs turn away.
Vain curiosity does not only affect
the individuals reputation but 1t draws
his thoughts away from what is "trne,
pure, beautiful and Of good report,
and obstructs his own personal improve
ment.
Those who are so oHiclously occupied
about others, have but little time and
no inclination to consider their own
defects or attend to their own duty.
If they reflect at all upon themselves
their minds are so filled with what
they have found Objectionable III the
conduct of others, that they are salts
| fed with their own attalnment9 ana
are led to interpret the faults OF others
| into attainlncnts of their own virtue.
Jesus, in the memorable sermon on the
mount, said, First cast out the beam
out of thine own eve, and then shalt