The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-08-02

careful watch over their words, so
that they may say nothing harmful
to others or unbecomiDg the profcs-
sion they have made. 1t does not
generally require very great effort to
refrain from committing any OF the
other sins forbidden by the Deca-
locue, but it seems especially difficult
to observe the Ninth Commandment.
This is chiefly because we allow our
selves to fall into the habit of max
Ing our neighbors-not especially in
the sense Of those WHO live near US,
but in the sense which includes all
our friends and acquaintances-the
constant topic of our talk. 1t adds 80
much to it's interest if we know some
thing about them that our interlocu-
tors have not heard. Right minded
men and women are careful Dct to
bear false witness, or to say s]ander-
nus things Of others; but II the story
has come to them second or third
hand, through people whom they re-
gard as reliable, they appear to think
it is no harm to repeat it; probably
taking the precaution to preface it
with the remark THAI they cannot
vouch for the truth Of ii, or by beg.
giug the one to whom they tell it not
to repeat it, and on no account to give
it as coming from them. When look
ed ct squarely this is very cowardly
thing to do, not very much better than
stabbing person in the back, since
it is very certain one would not say
such things of them to their face.
But it all comes from the fact of not
keeping watch over the tongue, and
not realizing the harm that may come
from such talk. Ordinary talk-for it
cannot be dignifed with the name Of
conversation-is rather insipid, un-
less seasoned with dash Of slander
and sprig of gossip, as a French
cook spices his dishes with pinch OF
cayenne and bit of garlic, and
many people like to be thought en-
tertainiug, no matter at what cost to
others.
1t is impossible to say how soon in
the histor; Of the human race the i'm
possibility Of tanning or controlling
the tongue was discovered. JOB is
regarded as one Of the Oldest books ex.
tant, and in it "the scourge of the
tongue" is spoken of as something to
be feared. Again the Psslmist, prob.
ably from smertling recollection Of
his own sufferings from this cause,
applies good many uncomplimentary
epithets to the tongue, such as "e
sharp sword" ''crafty," "deceitful,"
"lying," etc. In this way there are
more than hundred references to
"the unruly member" scattered
through the Scriptures, and the most
of them are in accord With those
quoted above, showing very plainly
how clearly men of all times have dis
oerned its capability Of doing harm.
One Of the latest writer's is very dis
tinct in his assertions about the me-
cessity laid upon every protesting
Christian in this respect: "If any
man among you seem to be religious,
. and bridleth not his tongue, but de.
!; ceiveth his own heart, this mans re.
ligion is vaiu;' and again: ,"If any
man offend not in word, the same is q
! perfect man, and able also to bride
the whole body and later he adds,
as though he could not sufficiently
warn the new converts against the
danger Of the tongue: every kind Of
beasts, and Of birds, and of serpents,
and Of things in the sea, is tanned,
and hath been tanned of mankind;
but the tongue can no man tame"
When We are listening to an eloquent
address from some fine orator, or a
sweet, low. toned conversation from
the lips of lovely woman, it is very
hard to believe all these harsh things
about the tongue; yet, unfortunately,
our experience is but too apt to con-
vince US Of the truth that: "Out Of
the same mouth proceedeth blessing
and cursing'' for ''therewith bless we
God, and Herewith curse we men
who are made after the similitude Of
God"
It is Little woDdcs, s.lerofcsc, th.t
those who arc really and earnestly try
ing to be pure in heart find such diff
fculty in keeping ceaseless watch
over this untamahle' little enemy that
is 80 quick to take advantage Of the
least relaxing ofvigilance ON our part,
to say something we Immediately re-
gret and wish unsaid; but unfortu-
nately the ancient ,epithet winged
90 so k1k kno &,~a n oe