River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-08-07
The Fifteenth Paslm.

Some years ago when speaking in
a disparaging manner of one who
had done wrong, dear old friend
said, "And, have you ever read the
fifteenth Psa1m?" That was all
that was said, and as l was not fa-
miliar with the Scripture in queS
ton l decided to read it at once,
and keenly felt the rebuke, but de-
cided to profit thereby. 1t has tax
en- years to improve and still there
is room for improvement.
The opening question is one of
the very greatest possible impor-
lance, for on it hangs the destiny
of life. Lord, who shall abide in
thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in
thy holy hill?" In other words, what
must do to be saved? The answer
is so clear and comprehensive that
a child can understand. He that
walketh uprightly and worketh
righteousness and speaketh the
truth in his heart" Here are three
requirements: to walk upright1y, to
work righteousness, and speak the
truth in his heart-each one topic
for a sermon.
HE that backbiteth not with his
tongue, nor doeth evil to his neigh
Dor, nor taketh up reproach
against his neighbor," follow next
in order and it is right here that l
am led to ask the question, Lord,
will anyone abide in thy tabernacle?
will any one dwell in thy holy hill?
so prone are we to indulge in just
such things as are here enumerated.
There is probably nothing so
weak as human judgment, and as
we view the actions of other people
we are sometimes disposed to think
because of our superior Cd Judg-
ment, that if we were placed just as
our friend is we would do much bet
ter and SO we begin to condemn,
talk behind his back as we would
not to his face, until the error IN
judgment gets to be positive crime
by the time it has been we'll discuss
ed by the various friends.
Not long since l heard that GER
tain man who had backslidden from
God, dated his fall from grace to
the backbiting of his pastor, who
had so freely discussed and con-
demned his weakness, all of which
came back to him, so that he became
discouraged and disheartened. Let
us be careful how we talk behind
the back, and say nothing we would
not say to the face. To be careful
in this will make it impossible that
we do evil to, or take up reproach
against our neighbor.
That there will be occasion of re-
proach and that some will do such
things as will perhaps merit con-
demnation is undoubtedly true, but
never mind; don't you think to ben !.
eft or help such an one by blazon-
ing it abroad. "The words of a
tale bearer are as wounds" and one
of the requirements of the law was
Thou shalt not go up and down as
a tale bearer among the people. !"
Paul in his fearful category of ur1-
righteousness specifies as worthy
ofdeath" whisperers, and back
biters." Romans /, James says
"Speak not evil one of another,
brethren" A person who is pro-
verbally looking for faults in his
brethren will find them, but before
passing judgment should carefully
consider that with what judgment
We judge, we shall be judged; and
with what measure We mete, it shall
be measured to you again
Jesus solved the whole question
when he said: Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul and with all
thy mind" This is the first great
commandment and the second is
like unto it, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as myself. On. these two
commandments hang all the llaw
and the prophets. When our hearts
are full of such love we will fulfill