Norwich bulletin., 1910-07-09
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
THE STRONG POINTS.

Mixtures we all are or Weakn1SS anu strength. Which shall We emphasize in one another and ourselves?
 Run over the list of persons whom you know fairly well and concerning each, you can probably talk in either one of two veins-you can say if you wish: Jones is a fairly good man, but he doesn't stick to a thing until it is finished. He lacks tact. A nasty tempered fellow he is." And so on and so on. Or you can expatiate on him thus wise: Jones is a fairly good and effective man. If you want somebody to start a new movement, he is just the kind of fellow for the job. He is full of original ideas and his enthus- iasm Is always on tap. His hopeful ness Is conta gious and a might kind hearted fellow Jones is, too. He goes out of his way many time to lend a hand to somebody in need"
 There you have your two contr asting character studies. One is probably correct as the other, but what a difference in the mental picture and how different would be the impressions conveyed to a man who did not know Jones at all.
 But are we not in duty bound to seize upon and play up" the com mendable qualities in our fellowmen rather than their weak points? Tha latter are perhaps more easily dis cerned, but what's the use of dwelling on them? From the president of the United States down to the humblest day laborer each man has his vulner- able points. Even men engaged in re ligious work are about as human as the rest of mankind. Pastors. Y- M. C. A workers, secretaries of bene- volent societies, Sunday school super intendents and teachers-what a job lot they are when the missiles of criti- cism are hurled at them. There is none righteous. no, not one.'
 Granted, but suppose we try the H. Y are, not blame them for not being what they are not and kindly but firmly hold them to the performance of the duties in which they are effective and to the display of the good qualities which they manifestly possess. Would that we were frank enough with one an- other so that l. for example. could go to Jones and say, Now, Jones, you are not cut out for poet and if I were you. I would not waste much time on counting the muses. but. Jones, you are one of the best house painters know. and am recommending you to all my acquaintances.
 Per contra, said Jones would un- doubtedly do me a great kindness if he would come boldly to me and say. ably good sermon now and then, but you would better let somebody else run the music in your church and the finances. too"
 And why should we not also study ourselves sufficiently to discover our own strong and weak points, and then fortify the latter if we can be certain 1y develop the former to their utmost capacity. When the Pharisees sent to John the Baptist. asking him who he was and intiinating that he might be Elijah or some other prophet, he frank ly told them what he was. not as we'll as what he was. It is a rare achieve mant when a man has discovered not only his limitations, but his peculiar gifts and adaptations. Every man has them. They constitute his individual ity. They make his personality dis tinct from that of the other billion of inhabitants of the globe. The world needs just what he and he alone has to give 1t. Let LIS be willing then to give what we have what we are, and not mourn because we cannot give something else.
 THE PARSoN.