Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-03-26
Charitable Thoughts.


little charitable thought in the world when
one considers how much of it nearly every.
one requires to palliate his wrong-doings.-
When man or woman is accused of sin
the natural impulse is to censure before
waiting for proof that the individual is
guilty and without any consideration OF
mitigating circumstances. The jury OF
public opinion acts upon different prin-
ciple from that required to be observed by
the legal jury. An accusation having been
made and supported by ex parte testimony,
the accused is assumed to be guilty, and
required If he would be acquitted to prove
his innocence. He is. moreover, subjected
to further injustice. His denial, disproof
or defense will receive much less attention
than the accusation. Years afterwards it
will be remembered that he was accused by
people who cannot recall to memory the
conclusion of the case. There was ''some-
thing wrong" about him; that is never
forgotten, and he is left long after his in
nocence may have been proved with that
vague smirch upon his reputation. But as
suming guilt to have been proved or ac-
knowledged, there is abundant room for
charitable thought to find out reason and
excuse for the wrong-Going, or, if not ex-
cuse. rational explanation of its causes. 1t
is quite the fashion for people to demand
justice upon offenders, though If justice
should be done they would not 'scape
whipping. 1t seems, indeed, as though
some who are most severe adopted an
austere behavior to divert suspicion from
themselves. The number of wrong-doers
in the world is vastly greater than the
small number constituting the criminal
class. 1t is the wrong-doers not yet so
od1 tod to hod t, ho al uso1
with criminals who need the charitable
thought and help of their neighb ,rs-
They may have been sorely tempted
or have sinned in q moment Of sudden pas
sion, to be deeply repented thereafter; they
may have good dispositions, good inten.
tions, but be easily led astray and just as
easily led Alright. For all such wrong.doers
the kindly sympathy and encouragement of
stronger aud better men and women are
needed to reclaim them and help them to a
better life. Only those who have suffered
temptation can fully realize the strength of
the excuses that may be offered by those
who have temporarily fallen, but are anx-
ious to amend their ways. The descent
from strict virtue or uprightness is usually
by a grade so gentle as to be unnoticed un
til exposure and disgrace bring fOrcibly to
view the length of the way. No man or
woman properly trained and of good name
plunges ipto vice and wrecks reputation
and character in day. Nor will any man
or woman 80 we'll trained as to feel disgrace
refuse the charitable, kindly efforts of others
towards reclamation. Too often, however,
they meet only with stern looks and re-.
Dukes from Pharisees, and are driven to
further wrong doing, until it becomes too
late to save them from criminal career
The eravest offenses may be pardoned
when followed by sincere repentance and an
amended life, yet there is little disposition
to excuse venIal faults under the same CO l.
ditions. Many people who should from
their training, standing aud reputation do
otherwise seem to gloat over the disgrace
or downfall of others, accept the merest
rumor of such thing as truth, ignore
denias, help to spread scandal, and by
their intolerance make it extremely difficult
for the unfortunate or guilty fellow to re-
cover his standing. Like Shylock, they
need to be reminded:
THAT in the course ofjustice. none of us
should see salvation; we do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach US all to
render
The deeds of mercy"
10 contrast with these are good people
who charitably seek to suppress scandal, to
remove temptations and help their fellow
men to better lives. They, too, love purity,
honesty, justice, but they are charitable in
their thoughts and seek to do the deeds of
mercy. They are slow to believe wrong of
one who has hitherto been of good repute,
they are ready to listen toexplanations to that
may help to excuse; they welcome signs of
repentance, and gladly assist the sinner to
recover his good name. II is needless to
argue that they follow the right course.
The statement, divorced of personal ap-
plication, appeals to the heart of right
minded people as that which is dictated by
worldly morality as we'll as religious teach
ing. But even right-minded people need to
be reminded of it occasionallp because they
are so much inclined to forget it when they
should give it personal application by help
ing some poor fallen brother to recover his
standing and lead better life. The habit
of charitable thought carries with it great
personal satisfaction, for the more the sub
jet of mankind is studied the more evident
it becomes that man is not so inherently
bad as be would appear to those ready to
accept accusation as proof of guilt, but that
many who become criminals or outcasts
might be saved for better lives by such
charity and mercy as we do pray for
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