The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1890-08-28
s@ WINE OF cAaDul, q Tonic for women.
TH0UGHTLEsS SPEAKING.

Wv AASe oSOP w SOACAANA tuU
evil results of thoughtless speaking
before children. The discussions of
ourineighbors' faults,ithe little drifts
OF gosslps that come is us, and
which we repeat, make deep and
lasting impressions on the mindsl.of
young people. Lifelong prejudices
are caused By such criticisms of the
sayings and doings of those who
form our circle ofacquaintances, and
sometimes our valued friends.
If the history of piece of gossip,
or a SANDER, could be traced from
its beginning to its ending, there
would be many a pitiful, unjust
revelation disclosed Why is it that
human nature loves to hear discredi-
table things of its kin, and to tell it
over to other itching ears making
as much as possible Of the story, and
oftimes more than is warranted?
1t would be a grand reform in our
household, if we could establish the
tact that no unkind thing should be
said of any one; no uncharitable
news expressed of the weaknesses OF
others, remembering that more or
less frailties belong to the whole hq.
man family.
Sitting at friends table not long
since, heard guest who was pres
ent indulge in severe criticisms of
the minister, whom the children of
the family were taught to reverence
and to love. The father adj oitly
tried to turn the conversation into
another channel, but he did not sue
coed, until story of the ministers
shortcomings in some former parish
had been we'll talked over. After
the meal had been finished, the head
of the house said to the guest, "You
evidently noticed that | did not take
much interest in your story Of Mr..
C; but the fact is, we never
allow ourselves to speak anything
but good of anybody before our chill
dren and we never criticise our
minister, of all persons, as you know
it might hinder his usefulness with
them" 1t is to be hoped that this
way OF admonishing was not lost
upon the talkative guest.
Not only are pieces OF gossip re-
tailed ottentimes in our families, but
old scores, mistakes made by our
friends years ago, and which by
"pdtient continuance in well-doing"
they have succeeded in living down,
are brought out Of their hidden
places, and started on their mission
of unchairitableness and injustice.
We who have lived past the half
century corner, and have learned
by our own sins and mistakes how
weak even the strongest of us are,
know how, or ought to know how,
to look upon the erring ways of
others with great charity. 1t is to
be hoped that we dc, and that we
ever keep in mind
ITO think gently of the erring;
We may not know the power
With which the dark temptations came
In some unguided hour "
But our children cannot look upon
the failings of others in any such
light. They are unjustly prejudiced
by indiscreet words against many
persons, who in the main are well
worthy of their respect. And these
prejudices stay with them, until they
arrive at a standpoint far beyond the
present outlook.
SO let us bar out of our homes
and our hearts, all distorted bits OF
unkind tales of any of our friends
and neighbors. Let us impress up
on the young hearts the need of
charity toward those who have been
overtaken in a fault, and OF the
striking out Of over two-thirds of
the detrimental items of the story
connected with it. Don't ever carry
bit OF unkind, uncharitable, indis-
Greet piece of news of anybody
anywhere. Repress instead of cir
culate things: that reflect discredit
on our friends.