The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-06
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
sEASoNABLE WORDS AND THE GOOD
THAT FOLLOWS THEIR USE.
BY the Rev. Henry r.. Rose, b. D., Pas
tor OF the EIm-Street UNIVERSAL
list Church, Auburn, Me.
"a word spoken in due season, how good
AZ isl,-PrnV. XIV @


How prone we are to forget the gentle
and thoughtful courtesies of life! How sell
dom we think of the value Of seasonable
wordsl How common it is to hold back the
kindly and appreciative word from fear of
seeming sentimental, or in dread of being
misunderstood, or, perhaps from undue re-
gard for the opinion or example of othersl
How many mislnderst landings there are
that are never cleared up, how many es-
arrangements that are never healed, because
the needed explanation or apology is never
made; how many resolutions that are never
lived up to because the word of commenda-
ton and encouragement is not uttered; how
many sad hearts and weary minds that are
never relieved and cheered because the
words of comfort and love are never spoken!
This is not as it should be. We ought to
try to make life easier and brighter for
those around us, and the golden way to do
50 is indicated by our text: "a word
spoken in due season, how good it isl
There is the word of explanation. How
gSod it is when made in the nick of time!
Who does not make mistakes and blunders?
They are inevitable in every growing life
and in every frank career. What shall we
do when we have made a mistake? Stand
on our dignity? Conceal it, thinking no one
will ever find it out? No; let not pride or
fear stand between us and honesty. Make
the confession and bear the consequences.
There will be no mistake in that. We will
rise IN the estimation of the one to whom
we explain ourselves.
The employer values that workman most
who, If he blunders. owns up to it prompt
~ and fully. Business men want people
they can trust. They expect mistakes by
their employees and they appreciate the man
who does not try to conceal his errors, but
tells of them and stands ready to make
what amends he can and to try his best
not to repeat them. Such man they feel
they can rely on. Such explanations and
confessions never do harm; they always re-
suit in good.
Think also of the word of apology. 1.-THE
first noblest attitude of man is innocence;
the second noblest, apology. The manli-
ness of saying, have done wrong. for
give me. is as high above that of a mere
man of honor as the brilliancy of heavens
sun transcends the glitter of an earthly
lamp" And the value of an apology de-
ponds largely on it's seasonableness. He
who delays may put it off forever or may
find it too late to make amends. Many
a heart has broken because the apologize
word was not spoken in good season.
THE TIMELY WORD.
And this brings us close TO another phase
Of life where the timely word is so good,
namely, where others need and await our
forgiveness. The divinest prerogative that
God has given to man is this power to for
give Every one ought TO exercise it.
This is both a kind and "a cruel world
IN which you and I live. II is made cruel
by the prejudice Of man towards man. And
when man is down, it does seem that
everybody gives him a kick, or, when a
woman falls. IL too seldom happens that
anybody bends over her and lifts her up
Much of the crime of to-day is committed
BY men and women who. having gone
astray. feel that every hand is against
them. The mark of Gain is on many a
brow, bat the finger of the world points
steadily at IL that the wearer can never
icrset IL nor make amends for having got
d there. Why may we not so live and SO
exercise this divine pferogafive of mercy
that our lives will be benedictions to the