Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-25
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
CARRYING ASSES TO MARKET.

An old fable tells of the country man who went to market accom- panied by his son on the back of an ass. Spectators soon began to cry out their disapproval because the lad rode while his poor old father walked, and so the two exchanged places. Further along the road other critics were dis pleased because the strong man was riding and the little fellow must trudge along behind. so the man dis mounted. Soon they met travellers who called attention to the fact that both man and boy were foolishly wasting their strength in walking while the donkey had no burden at all. At this both man and boy, convinced that they had made a mistake, got upon the ami malls back. This was too much, how ever, for another group of observers who were about to beat the pair for cruelty overlooking helpless beast of burden. Anxious to please these latest critics, father and son dismounted and, taking up the ass on their own Shoul- ders. bore him to the market place. It is not on record what further sugges- tions they met there.
 One of the accomplishments of life so difficult that 1t need never be att tempted is that of pleasing everybody. The endeavor usually results in pleas ing nobody, oneself least of all. Yet at times most of us are tempted to make the trial We live our lives and do our work in the presence of many men of many minds. There are people about of so much mind" that they are always trying to give somebody a piece of it. They like to direct not only their own affairs, but those also of their neighbors. It Is easy, especially for conscientious and peaceloving folk, to fall into fixed habit of con- fornity. Unwilling to offend, anxious to avoid anything that might arouse criticism, they make life a series of concessions. But 1t is to be doubted if the rewards justify the trouble.
 A certain amount of criticism must be met and borne with. Giving due weight to all helpful suggestions, one should still reflect that no outsider can know the facts of his personal life as he himself knows them It is not wise to be swayed by every preference one hears expressed. The captain with course marked out cannot change the direction of the ship every time some landlubber of a passenger thinks he ought to- It is related of Dr. Jowett of Balliol and one of the most gentle and delightful men ever produced by Oxford University, that once. in a mo- naent of natural resentment over some unjust criticism of his administration he laid down this rule for men of ac- ton: Never retract. Never explain Get it done and let them howl" One need not press the excellent advice be- yond it's proper intent. It is simply counsel to be sure you are right and then to go ahead, a principle on which strong souls have always acted.
 There is indeed vast deal of crit. icism that is honorable to one rather than discreditable. St. Paul did not please the Ephesian mob, nor did Christ please the Pharisees in Jerusa- lem. We do not want to jibe in with the plans of all sorts and conditions of men. To do so is to argue oneself without moral purpose or power. The great thing is to justify ones course at the bar of ones own conscience, tc win the approval of his own heart He can stand much criticism who iE thus fortified.
 This above alto thine ownself be
 true
 And it must follow, as the night the
 day,
 Thou canst not then be false to any
 man.
 THE PARSON