The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-22
DON'T HEAR EVERYTHING.


The art of not hearing should be learned
by ALL There are SO many things which IL
il; painful to hear, very many Of which, If
heard, will disturb the temper, corrupt
simplicity and modesty, detract from con-
tentment and happiness. II aman falls into
q violent passion, and calls us all manner OF
names, at the first word we should shut our
ears, and hear no more. II in quiet voy..
age of life we find ourselves caught in one OF
those domestic whrlwnds OF sco!dtng, we
should shut our ears rs sailor would
furl his sails and, making all tight, scud
before the gale. II q hot, restless man begins
to inflame our feelings, we should consider
what mischief the fiery sparks may do in our
magazine below, where our temper Is kept,
and instantly close the door. If all the petty
things said Of one by needless or ll-natured
idlers were brought home to him, he would
become a mere walking pincushion stuck
full of sharp remarks. If we would pc
happy, when among good men we should
open our ears; when among bad men, smut
them. It is not worth while to hear what
our neighbors say about our children, what
our riva's say about our business our dress,
or our affairs.
We are often speculating Oh what Is to
come, whether the wears shall bring life or
death, prosperity or sorrow. You who trust
Him, YOU who are His dear children through
faith in Jesus Christ, may take this answer
as regards the coming years: You are going
forth into nothing but goodness. "All things
work together for good to them that love
God" ! cannot say that you m y not be
going forward into trouble, humiliation, toll,
Il disappointment. 1t may well be-. But
reneat it II you are walking at Gods side
YOU are going forward 10 nothing but good;
great goodness Is laid up for you on the
simple condition of your trust in God. Take
this truth as fact, and not as poetic
fancy; God has great goodness laid up 1or
pass, shall find his goodness laid up in the
heart Of the disaster.-[M. r. vincent, d. d.
Not to enjoy life but to employ life ought
to be our aim.-( Macdut.
So long as we are full of self, we are
shocked at the faults Of others.
It is hard to say whether God discovers
more love in preparing heavenly mansions
for the soul than in preparing the soul tor
heavenly mansions.
Christ, by his gospel and the Spirits work.
is now separating men in two classes. The
process is going on every day in our homes,
in our places Of business, in the house OF
God. We drift apart; we withdraw to our
own place and our own kind. By-ano-py
Sing in fine weather.! Any bird can do
that, Praising God when all goes well is
commonplace work. Everybody marks the
nightingale above I'll other birds because she
singcth when the other minsr rels Of the
wood are silent and asleep; and thus doth
faith praise God under the cloud. Songs IN
the day are from man, but God himself
giveth songs in the night.-[Spurgeou.
Though there are many exceptions, the
church Is usually the birthplace of the Chris.
tian. In the assembly of the saints is found
the atmosphere in which the tree OF lie most
commonly blossoms, and here is the genial
warmth which is most conducive TO tne
vigorous development of the germs OF eter,
nal life. Here are the influences amid
which the Christian attains his highest
growth and usefulness and most be uttful
Symmetry Of character.-[ Religious Herald.
People NAV escape the awful tcrrors OF
hell and stand before all the glories and
splendors of heaven, but they must be ca IN
about it. They must not display any emo
ton for fear some religious dilcttante might
think the excitement unhealthy. Men may
90 to hell with noise and tumult, Dut tney
must make heaven in solemn dignity or miss
il altogether. This is the argument OF the
Ieyil and il has cost many man his soul.
IF people will not repent until they are
scared, then by all means scare them. IL It
toLrs n little noise to alarm them let the noise
me.-ICumbcrland' Presbyterian
This puts the case very we'll. Men can
stand excitement and emotion In everything
but in religion. They go to horse-race and
shout and scream like mad men, and toss
their hats into the air ovcra little contest
between two animals. In the theatre storm
upon storm of wild applause bursts forth
amid the drcst confusion, and strong men
and hysterical women weep iloodS OF tears
over sham scene. In political contests
grave citizens march and yell and wave par
ty ensigns until they are worn out and eX-
hausted with sheer excitement. But III
church not tear must be she'd net shout
OF Joy must be heard. not Il cry OF victory
L., tsnl