Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1911-03-23
THE URRULY MEMBER.

/ ub tongue can no Ildu Jdult,
a declaration of Holy Writ, and no OBJ.
servant person, who has outlived his
childhood can help feeling the signii-
canoe of the saying, even in the small,
insignificant affairs of daily life,
where hasty, inconsiderate word of
ten has power to bring about the bit
terest enmity between hearts that have
held their loyalty through years of
trials and sufferings Everyone knows,
too, how one meddlesome, mischief
making tongue in a neighborhood can
kindle social confagation between
neighboFs who have never before
dreamed an unkind thought of each
other.
We are sorry to say that we have a
class of people in this community
who seem to be seriously afflicted with
disease called by physicians "Caco-
ethics loquendi. - 1t is disease that
is generated between ignorance, lack
Of brains, malignity, and restlessness
of tongue, which forbids the repose of
good society. In English it is the
"'disease of talking"
This class of people seem to have
considerable powers of invention, but
from their ignorance of the common
topics of enlightened and manly con-
versation, they seem to be absolutely
compelled to lie their way into notice
Not long since one Of our neighbors,
a minister of the gospel, was bitterly
assailed by parties who seemed to be
badly afflicted with this awful dis
ease, and while this christian gentle
man has been badly misrepresented,
he has no words of condemnation, but
words of forgiveness, Father, forgive
them for they know not what they
do" A man never portrays his own
character more vividly than in his
manner of portraying another's There
is something unsound in person
whom You never hear say good word
about any mortal, but who is always
meddling and finding fault with his
neighbors. We have always noticed
that the less business a man has of his
own, the more he attends to the bust
ness of his neighbors. Gossip and
meddling is personal confession of
malice and weakness, and no refined
person will indulge in it.
Again, you may notice that sland-
erer is always a coward because he
dares not say to the face that he SO
freely utters behind the back. Thus
he "'bites" the back. He resembles
swapping dog often seen in the streets,
running after passers and biting their
heels
Furthermore, you may notice that a
slanderer is always person of small
calibre and never deserves the respect
of the better class of people.
Shakespeare says,
"He that filches from me my good
name,
Robs me of that which ne'er enriches
And makes me poor indeed.
Therefore we should deal tenderly
with the absent, we should say moth,
ing to cast a reflection on their repu-
tation for good name is the richest
possession we have this side of the
grave, and the best legacy we can
eaye behind us when dead. To be
owed and respected in this world we
nust bride our tongues, and strive to
be free from the spirit of meddling in
,ur neighbours affairs. Therefore we
should live and conduct ourselves in
,uch a manner that if the world is not
,ettered by our being in it, that it
will not be worsted, for reputation is
more precious than life, and the sland-
,rei s tongue is four edged sword.
The following story is worth repeat
ng:
"A certain man sent his servant to
market to buy some good food. The