Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-11-15
"A TIME TO KEEP SILENCE. /"
(soLoMoN.)

One almost wishes the wise man
had gone farther, and told us when
to be silent. But a second thought
convinces us that he could not do
this, without entering into detail
that the design of the Bible does not
admit of. If, for instance, he had
entered into such detail in regard to
every season which he has mentioned
in connection with the words quoted,
he would have written book as large,
at least, as the whole Bible. Aud
besides, God never designed by his
revelations to preclude the exercise
of judgment. He never purposed to
give us a set of rules to be mechani-
callY followed. Hence, even in the
duty of prayer, we have only general
precepts. lie has told us that it is
his will that men everywhere should
pray; but when, and how often, is
left 10 each individual to decide for
himself. We see at once, that q
volume which was designed to be a
full directory for all human conduct
must necessarily be thus general.
Hence Solomon says, "There is a
time to keep silence" and having
said this he valves the matter. There
is such time-let each one study
to know when that time is.
| do not believe this declaration of
the wise man has attracted much
notice, even from the readers of
the Bible, not nearly as much as
others of his sayings. l may be mis-
taken on this point; but of one thing
| am certain, have very seldom
heard it quoted. l have many times
heard Solomon quoted as authority
for dancing; but if / ever heard him
quoted as authority for keeping
silence, 1T has escaped my memory.
Now l should not be surprised, if the
statistics could be ascertained, 10
find that there were ten who knew
that Solomon had said, s'there is a
time to Dance" to one who knows
that he said, "there is a time to keep
silence" The reason for this it would
not be difficult to discover. Many
have a strong inclination to dance,
and they are glad to set their con-
at rest by quoting so high
authority. The memory easily retains
what seems to coincide with our in
clinations. But l suppose very few
have been troubled with an inordi-
nate disposition to be silent, aud
therefore have not sought so earnest
ly for something to justify them in
this. There is nothing that so
stimulates to diligent search as q
disturbed conscience.
But l have already kept the reader
too long from that which was my
main purpose-to speak of some of
the times for keeping silence. AS
Solomon has left the matter thus
indefinite, without laying any claim
to his wisdom or inspiration 1 have
thought / might point out few
seasons which have occurred to me
in which it is wise to be silent.
But before / do this, l would say
a word or two about silence. Silence
has often great power. 1t is some
times a most forcible reprover. Some
men have been capable of administer
ing very severe rebukes in words.
Hence they have had the epithets of
burning, scorching, whitening, and
the like, applied to them, and men
have. dreaded their censure as much
as painful scourging. But doubt
if any words ever equalled in severity
the reproof which silence has some
times administered. A judicious
silence has been made to carry home
the most burning rebnke. There is
one remarkable instance of this,
which has, no doubt, occurred to the
reader.
When Peter had denied Christ,
there was not one reproving word
uttered by the Master, but silent
look awakened the most narrowing
memories, and sent him out to weep
bitterly. Let any one endeavor to
clothe in words reproof that would
have been fitting to that occasion.
He will find he cannot do it. 1t was
an occasion when words were too
weak for the purpose, and silence
alone had the needed power. There
perhaps never was an occasion that
equalled this; but there have been
many that resembled it-many in
which silence exceeded in severity any
form of words. But silence has
sometimes been forcible instructor.
The most common mode of teaching
is by words; but many and valuable
have been the lessons taught by a
judicious silence. To return, how
ever, to the purpose already expressed.