The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-21

I NtSlUIH
iDsinuates-a species of attack not avoid
able. and as dangerous as it is dastardly
one connot hesitate to agree with the
poet who says
Twas Islander filed her mouth with
lying words
SANDER. the foulest whelp OF sin.
1t is far-reaching sin. THE slanderer
does harm TO three persons at once 10
him of whom he says the III. to blm 10
whom he says If, and, most or all, 10
himself in saying 1t.
And we may go still farther. IL docs
not stop with the person TO whom IL is
told Consciously or uncOnsciously, the
latter becomes vehicle for the spread OF
the nauseous venom, till the victims
whole ncighborhood is poisoned by the
infection He finds himself stunned by
his old associates, who will not meet him
nor tell him why they hold themselves
aloof. The criminal who has inaugurated
the libel Is lost in the multitude Of those
who are circulating II. If the mine final
" explodes he is al safe distance, and
the only sufferers are his willing or UNI
willing accompliccs.
It is 50 much more effective TO gain
your ends by blackening the character Of
your adversary than by disproying his
arguments. It is so much easier 10 ruin
him. by discrediting his motives than by
Analysing his logic. Is not that the
method which has always been adopted
towai those who differ from others
in matters Of faith? The reasoning which
leads up To such q course is very simple
ard understood by every one. My Oppo-
ncnt's theology is false; therefore his
morals must be bad" You need no
stronger argument than that 10 appeal 10
the passions Of men, and how success
fully the appeal has been made the his
tory Of the Church will plainly disclose TO
any one who chooses 20 wade through
the mazes Of its heresies. The Romanist
mathematics the Protestant and the
Greek The Lutheran and the Zwinglian
mutually eXcOmmunicate each other. So
bitter do these controversies and per-
sonal attacks become that sometimes IL
would seem that only the absence OF the
power prevents those who call themselves
orthodox from burning the bodies of
those whose reasons they cannot con-
vince.
II were perhaps well IL the mischief
ended there But alas. if it be true that
death loves a shining mark" no less IS
It true that the higher the victim, the
more vcnomous the attack. Is there one
piece Of scandal in the whole world more
delicious TO its purveyors than the tale
about the minister
There is a set Of people in some
churches whose sole occupation seems to
be to find fault with those who happen
10 be placed for the time being i'm Spiritual
authority. Not that these good people
always direct their misguided activity
against their own pastor. Not at all.
They are far more apt to attack the
parson Of some other congregation than
thCi2 cNn.
If their pastor happens to be moro ropu-
lar than some one else'S, they Will enjoy
nothing so much as to draw comparisons
for the benefit Of their less fortunate
neishbors. whose minister may not shine
so well. These. on the other hand, not
10 be outdone, unable to minimise the
ability of their friends rector. fall back
on iunuendoes as to his private life and
endeavor to undermine his influence by
discrediting his uprightness and virtue.
How frequently is the honesty and
integrity OF man disposed Of by a smile
or a shrug. How many good and generous
actions have been sunk into oblivion by
a distrustful look or stamped with the
imputation of proceeding from bad
motives by a mysterious and seasonable
whisper.
There is one remedy. brethren. for the
treatment Of the tongue. Give not thy
tongue too great a liberty, lest it take
thee prisoner. A word unspoken is like
the sword in the scabbard, thine; il
vented, thy sword is in another's hand.
IL thou desire to be held wise be so wise
as to hold thy tongue" The man or
woman who cannot do that by sheer force
Of WILL aided by prayer, has too little
10 do. Any one who has idle time al his
disposal is apt to fall into the habit OF
loose talk. Most people have not Il suf-
ficient amount Of knowledge available to
occupy their thoughts when their bodies
are unemployed. Many are thus at the
mercy of temptation, and are insensibly
led 10 indulge in foolish and Gossiping
conversation with anybody VINO happens
along. The step is but a short one from
harmless tittle-tattle to death dealing
SANDER. The once idle man or woman
becomes transformed into busting
busy body. actively engaged in killing
regulations.
Services at other Churches
Sunday was an ideal winter day-bright
ana cool. The Gun was bright as spring
time. bat the air Just biting enough TO
remind the pedestrian that winter is yet
present and put vigor in his step.
The beauty of the day and the bracing
ozone in the air enticed many who had
long been housed to venture forth. and AS
result the churches were filled all over
the city as they have not been for months.
Al Centenary Methodist church there
were unusually large congregations morn
ing and evening, and DR.. Sledd preached.
MS sermon at the evening service was
Dased on the text, Awake, awake. put
on Try strength, oh Zioni put on thv
beautiful garments, oh Jerusalem" and
lis Application was OF the most forcible
ana original character The officers who
have been acting as ushers at Centenary
lnaugurated the new plan Sunday of de-
failing young members of the congrega-
ton TO that work
Inc pulpit at Broad-street church wos
filled, in the absence of DIR. Tudor the
pastor. on Sunday by Rev. T.. +. Pen
ana j. \. Latham respectively. DR. Tn
dor returned from Norfolk Yesterday ana
commenced series of services that win
continue during the balance of the week.
feV X. T. Wilson is building up the al
ready very large membership Of Claw
street Methodist church. and is making q
fne Impression as preacher. SUNDAY his
theme IN the morning was "Panoplv
Does Not Make Soldier" and AT niyht
The Rainbow in Heaven"
Al tnion-Station church Yesterday Fey.
George III. Ray preached TO A large CON
greeation in the morning and held an
important and interesting church confnr-
ence. touching the new church edi6ce
Inc evening service was Interesting ana
the pastor received two into the fellow
ship. '''0 ie'io"-
Inc co'SreEa ton and membership Of
inc new 81. James Methodist church in
the East End, are growing RAPIDLY. SIM
day morning Rev Mr.. Mitchell preached
an interesting sermon at the mission