Milford chronicle., 1903-04-03
TALMAGE,
SERMON
By Rev.
FRANK DE WITT TALMAGE. DID,.
Pastor CT Jefferson Park Presby-
terian Church, Chicago

humlnlSterS severe reDuke to fault
finders, gossips. slanderers and scan
dal mOngers and shows by contrast
how Christlike it is to be generously
silent rather than censorlous in deal
ing with the weaknesses of others. The
text is II Samuel i, 20, "Tell it not in
Gath; publish it not in the streets Of
Askelon."
"Silence," once wrote a trenchant
and poetic author lis only music
asleep" By the grace of God would
prove that gospel silence may be mu-
steal without being always somnolence.
1t is often gospel harmonies wide
awake and in full diapason. The gold
en- lips of silence can sometimes be
more eloquent in their gospel signifi-
canoe than the silver tongue Of speech.
There is great excitement in the Da-
vidic encampment. A sentinel sees a
courier at full speed running down the
valley. Coming nearer, he calls out
with painting voice. "Tldings, my lord
tidings for the new kingl" From the
different tents the swarthy limbed sol
diers, who were resting from the con-
quests over the Amalekites, swarm
forth. They lead the new arrival to
the young commander. There he pros
trates himself upon the ground. He
announces that Saul has been defeated
and has committed suicide; Jonathan
has been slain. The empty throne is
now ready for its new occupant, the
cOnquerOr of the mighty Philistne, Co
Hath. What was the result? Did Da-
yid tell his followers to exult over the
fallen king? Did he say to his COM
paniOns in arm: Good for Saul! His
defeat served him right. Divine jus
tice has avenged my wrongs. He had
no business to try to kill me to satisfy
his jealousy. He had no right to drive
me into exile. He should not have be- |
come an apostate and detied the divine (
power which had anOinted him king Of /
Israeli" No! David had the silver /
tongue Of speech. No psalmist ever
sang sweeter than this sweet singer Of
Israel But David had the golden lips
of gospel silence. He lifted his hand
In warning. He practically said this:
do not exult over your fallen king.
Do not advertise his faults to the world
lest the uncircumcised Philistines re-
JOice. Do not sneer at Gods anOinted.
Let his faults be buried in his tomb.
Only remember and talk about his good
qualities. Tell 1t not in Gath; publish
it not in the streets of AskeIon."
Would that we. one and all might be
as charitable in our comments upon
those who have sinned and wrOnged
US as David was with Saul. Would
that we might talk only about the good |
qualities of those with whom we come
IN contact and not examine a mans
faults with the magnifying power of
I microscope and study his virtues
with the minifying power Of the in
Terted end Of a telescope. Would that
we might cease to write our human
in the sands, which
ire washed out by the rising tides in a
lay, and that we might rather chisel
'ur concentrations in the solid rocks,
which shall publish them forever.
Golden Lips Of silence. {
The golden lips of gospel silence
ever banquet upon carrlon. We know ]
hat a healthful physical body has to {
raw its strength from clean provender t
+ piece of meat is decomposed and /
diseased. it will make t
mclean any body into which it is abb c
Orbed. When one of the presidents I
lect many years ago was about to @
e inaugurated. his enemies tried to a
olson him. They placed poison in the O
OOd in certain hotel where he was L
topping at the time in the city of t
Washington. Scores and. believe,
undreds of guests eating at that hotel t
Tere poisoned. Some Of the guests lost t
heir lives. Many more were doomed a
D a lifetime OF suffering invalidlsm. c
he president elect did not suffer, be- n
ause at that dinner he did not take v
ny OF the poisoned food. Only the
lvens and the buzzards could feast v
pom the careasses floating about Il
Oahs ark; not the dove with her y
'ings covered with silver and her a
'athers with yellow gold What is b
ne in reference to the physical body e
also true in reference to the mind n
20 tie spirit. If we allow our thoughts Il
feed upon what is depraved In other II
ems characters. then our thoughts a
ill themselves become depraved. If e
e allow our lips to revel in uttering Il
e scandals and describing the weak al
'sses and She sins Of our neighbors It
friends or enemies. then our own
ngues will become deflled. g
This law that what we let our minds bC
ed upon decides what our minds are fiji
be-is i;seyocable and all powerful. hi
Is so farrcaching in its results that cr
sus. in the gospel Of Matthew, de- in
ares that he Will condemn US not IN
ly for our evil actions, but also for W
r evil thoughts. 'Ye have heard that dG
was said BY them Of old. Thou shalt 10
I commit adultery. But | say unto he
u that whosoever loOketh on a wom- al
to lust after her hath committed Fl
ultery with her already in his heart" nc
e are to be condemned not only for IA