The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-02
THE RIGHT WAY,
Or the Gospel Applied to Intercourse Be-
tween Individuals and Naions.
BY REV. JOSEPH A. COLLIER.
Continued
MOTIVES TO THE RIGHT WAY.

While there are no objections which
can reasonably be urged against the
right aody of conducting intercourse,
there are many strong motipes to its
practice.
T. One of the least of these is, that
personal policy demands 1t. This, OF
itself, were an unworthy motive to the
discharge of any duty: yet it is per-
haps proper to notice it in connection
with others which we shall present.
All must have observed. in the ordi-
Diary dealings of men, the power that
resides in bland, courteous demeanor.
Whatever be the object to be gained,
whether friends, pleasures, honors, or
riches, those are the most successful
who are uniformly polite, and consid-
crate of others happiness. A smile,
or kind word. will often accomplish
more in q PERSONS favor than the most
masterly stroke of cunning. In busi-
ness transactions, the man who con-
trolls his passions has by far the advan-
tage of him who does not. A resent
full disposition eXcites distrust, wher.
ever it is known. Prudent men avoid
those who exhibit it, and in all their
dealings give the preference to those OF
mild temper, and accustomed to self
command, Alexander the Great,
amid all his bloody conquests,- recog-
nized the Importance of q kind treat.
ment of both friends and enemies, as
the best means of furthering his ambi-
tious schemes. Being asked how he
had been able at so early an age and in
so short period to conquer such vast
regions, and establish so great a name,
he replied, 81 used my enemies so well
that compelled them to become my
friends, and treated my friends with
such constant regard that they became
unalterably attached to me-" Were
there no other and loflier aim in life
than success, every consideration OF
sound policy would demand the culti'
vation of kind, forbearing, and for
giving disposition. We may add to
this The motive of personal safety
The conduct required Of us, so far from
exposing to yet greater injury, is oul
best safeguard against it: Resistance
to wrong generally provokes to its rep
etition. The irritable and impetuous
are of all men the most liable to be
trespassed against; while they who re-
turn good for evil convert their enc
mics into friends, and make them min
lister to their happiness. So far, then
as regards the accomplishment of the
most selfish ends, such as our own ag'
grandizement, and personal security
the right way is "the best policy"
II. We urge as another motive, ou'
o,On liability to offend, and our trequeu
need of forgiveness from others.
Who is there that is not sometimes
off bis guard, and liable to he surpris
ed into an offence against fellow
man? What tongue is so bridled as
not, at times, unjustly to assail and IN
lure others? They who make the
highest attainments in the religious
life are forced to confess, of their rela
tions both to God and man, "In many
things we offend ALL"
This undeniable fact should have
great weight with US in our dealings
with mankind. He who allows it it
proper influence, will, upon every oc
casion of injury from another, retlec
that he may yet need the kind forbear
ance of that very individual. He vii
reason with himself thus: "What am
l. that I should resent an offence, OF
without forgiveness from n brother
When have done hating, it will be
time enough to refuse to love; when !
have done SHINING, time enough to re-
sist evil I; and when I need not the
kind deeds and prayers of others, time
enough to withhold them from any
Until then, I will be consistent with
myself, and forgive, as I would be for
given either of God or man." Such is
a reasonable view of the subject, and
such are the thoughts and resolutions
which best become us. The resentful
man, while of all others the most like
ly to give offence, is the very last who
ought to do so. For he cannot reason
ably exact treatment which he refuses
to render; and he has no right to COM
plain if all his injurious words and ac
tons are promptly retaliated. On the
other hand, he who, conscience of his
frailty, cherishcs spirit of meekness
and lOng-suflering, may with greater
reason hope to be met with the same
spirit. Our own interests therefore
no less than a manly consistency OF
conduct, demand that we extend tc
those injuring us that forgiveness
which we ourselves may require.
Christ became the Son of Man in or
der that we might become the sons ol