The Topeka state journal., 1913-07-12

An old proverb has it that of the un-
spoken word we are master; but the
word that is spoken is master of us.
A SOLDERING truth which everybody
must face is that he is certain to mis-
judge other people. That is as newt
able as that he will be misunderstood
himself. Because all of life's modes of
expression are inadequate, we are sure
to misinterpret a brothers words or
actions; and that not once, but often.
! What rivers of tears have been shed
because of this. What heart-aches and
human sufferingi Lives have been ruin
ed. friendships 'sundered. hopes blasted.
optimism turned to the gall of bitter
ness, all because We have misjudged
our fellows, ana been misjudged by
them. A realization of this condition,
instances of which everybody can sup
ply out of his own experience. should
make US careful of our speech. A SEN
tinel should be set over against our lips
to guard against cruel and needless
and unloving words. Even when we do
our best, we are likely to wrong a
neighbor by our speech, At least. there
fore. we should study to exercise eau
ton.
When a man has spoken unjustly of
another, there is but one course open
to him, if he be a gentleman or
Christian That is swift, full free re-
traction and apology. There is no mid
die course. Self-respect, sincerity and
justice demand this.
Grant us, o Lord the grace to bear
The little pricking thorn;
The hasty word that seems unfair;
The twang of truths well worn;
The jest which makes our weakness
plain;
The darling plan o'erturned;
The careless touch upon our pain;
The slight we have not earned:
The rasp of care, dear Lord, today.
Lest all these fretting things
Make needless grief. oh, give, we
pray.
The heart that trusts and sings"
Elizabeth L. Gould.
A word of comfort costs no more
than a word of complaint. And it
means more than gold to the receiver
Without descending to insfncerity, it
is possible to speak a word of praise to
somebody every day. The helpers who
are about US, whose ministry We en-
joy, these cherish the kind word
above wages. The street car conductor
is as pleased as he is surprised over
"a thank you.' The grocer remembers
an apprectative word longer than
complaint There are little children all
along the way of life whose days may
be frightened by a glad greeting. As
the once-popular Christian EndeaVor
refrain had it, let us
Scatter the sunshine, Il
All along the way,
Cheer and bless and brighten,
Every passing day"
He preached hell without a tear
IS the way one editor indicted an evan
geltst. The harshest truth may De
spoken only in tenderness; the harshef
tho fr11tb greater the love. IF it
becomes necessary to speak severely to
one the preparation should be prayer
and suffering. For if we enjoy wound
ing a human spirit, we ourselves ale
TT matters not
What men may think of US! Today
they praise
Tomorrow, blame-and 50 through all
our days
We lift our eyes to catch the smile
For something said or done.
And meet another's frown.
But let it be our chief concern to see,
Whatever we are called to do or be.
That all our lives may bear the pure
high light
Which shines from yOnder Throne, that
from His sight
No coward thought need shrink, i'll
trembling fear,
To stand before our God with con-
science clear,
And only by His standard set our own.
And live as they who seek His smile
alone"
Perhaps if we talked less and thought
more we should say fewer words for
which we are likely to be sorry.
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS.
All days come that are to be.-Dick-
ems.
1t is safer to trust your eyes than
your ears when a man argues religion
while his wife carries in the water
Rams Horn.
To thine own self be true,
And it must follow as the night tha
Thou cans't not then be false to any
man.
Shakespeare.
= = =
Life is a casket, not precious in it,
self, but valuable in proportion to what
fortune or industry or virtue has placed
within it.-Landor.
Our deeds determine US as we'll as
we determine our deeds-George Eliot
= =
hold him great, who for loves sake,
Can give with generous earnest will.
Yet he who takes for loves sweet sake.
think I hold more generous STILL
-Longfellow.
He who knows most, grieves most foF
wasted time.-Dante.