Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-01
Convey q libel in a 'rown.
And wink a reputation down


Slander is, as one has said, "an arrow
shot in the dark, and 1.-THE revenge of a
coward. Some one has characterize
gossips rs those who murder characters
to kill time.
Some say they do not care what others
think of them. This expression is very
foolish or wicked, or botl. Usefulness in
the world depends very largely on repu-
tstion. Character and reputation com
monty coincide, not always. There have
been periods in the worlds history when
christians have suffered for well doing
Christ did. His enemies put forth every
effort to blacken his reputation, his good
name; so often in the conflict with evil
Ia all such cases we are to ''rejoice and
be exceedingly glad" Christ tells US. But
men universally respect right doing and
truth crashed to earth shall rise again. )"
A good name renders 8 man more ser
viceable to God aud filter instrument
to promote His honor and glory in the
world. Some persons have such a reputa-
ton that they can do the cause of Christ
no good. Their words are powerless. They
lack the backing of character. Emerson
says: What you are sounds so loud |
cannot hear what you say" Words are
empty sounds without character behind
them. Reputation is tender plant. The
foul breath Of SANDER or suspicion causes
it to wither like thing of life at the
breath of sir0cco. How little thing
will often destroy all the good man has
done or can do So Satan often attacks
the reputation. He blackmsils good men
not iHfreouently. And there are those
MI m Crln ha oF
| name, who fatten upon such csrrion.
These facts all cons Dire to impose a
great responsibility upon christians. They
are "epistles of Christ. known and read
of all men," The world reads christians
more than the word of God. Let chris
tians therefore be careful of reputation,
that is to say, take care of your character
and God will take care of your reputs-
ton. In the light of these facts, how ten
| derby one should handle the regulations
of Others! The sins here forbidden are
1. Lying-This sin has been defined
as speaking an untruth with intent to
deceive. Hence, fiction, parallels, figur-
alive expressions are not lies. The pur-
pose may be to instruct from an ideal
standpoint. The liar is most closely az
lied to Satan. who is called in scripture,
1.-THE father of lies" A lie shows de-
generate and cowardly fear of man and q
daring contempt of the great God. This
| doubtless is the reason why the imputa-
| ton of lying is regarded as the basest and
most ignominious charge one man can
| lay on another.
2. SANDER has been alresdV referred
to in speaking of the value of reputation.
In words. SANDER and scandal were orig
inally from the same root word, and both
mean a snare laid for an enemy Web
ster defines Islander as "a false
tale or report. malicisusly uttered
and tending to iDiure the
reputation of anoih her" 10 modern usage,
SANDER has reference to words spoken,
while libel (from the latin libellus, q
little book) is used of words written.
SANDER is false imputation of vice.
while detraction is q diminishing report
OF virtue. ISLANDERS are current about
people of Indifferent reputation. where
the dirt thrown will stick. Deiraction is
common with reference to those whose
regulations are above reproach ard the
voice of scandal. This is one of the
basest of sins. HerveY speaks of it thus:
ISLANDER, that worst of poisons, finds,
An easy entrance to ignoble mirds.''
| The possibility and the currency of
such sins exhibit the depths of depravity
to which human nature may sink. To
speak evil of a man to ais face is termed
"reveling. more generous fault than