The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-10-19

so straight. too. Much of the folly whispered
| from ear to ear in our own town has no
better foundation than the absurd story you
/ have just heard
Now. how shall we meet this hydraheaded
thing of the twentieth century? By every
honest man and woman brldling the tongue; if
each one of US would live up to a solemn re-
solve not to hear any gossip, if we can avoid
it; not to retail what gossip is forced upon US.
and to boldly publish our belief in the inno-
cence of the accused until proved guilty, in
one month our handiwork would be seen and
felt in the better tone of public morals. Let
US give our sympathy to those unfortunate
people whose backs are barred for the scourge.
There was John the Baptist. The Pharisees
OF his day called him fanatic. Nobody knew
whether he came of blue blood or not. There
was Jesus of Nazareth. How they talked
about him. Some of them called him a wine
bibber. Some said that he was all the time in
company with publicans and sinners. Why,
they went so far as to ostracize Christ on &C.
Count of his reputation And yet they made
an eternal bunder; he was Christ. the Son of
God. So, when they come to us and try to
prejudice us against some one, let US refuse
to form hasty judgment; we don't know how
much good may be in them. Let our religion
just shine out. Let us not only bride our
tongue, but let us go to those accused people
and give them a warm grip of the hand, a
friendly glance of the eye, little kind as
surance. They are in trouble, and they need
it. When we find out for ourselves that they
are mean and undeserving, then we shall be
justified in leaving them to their punishment
but never shall we be justified in joining in
the hue and cry after their characters, no
matter how black they may turn out Oh,
give them our sympathy. A minister had been
speaking to the inmates OF prison. There
they were-a Thousand men SO hardened in sin.
In the course of his remarks the minister said
that the only difference between himself and
them was owing to the grace of God After
the prisoners had been locked up again in their
cells one of them sent for him and asked: "Did
you mean what you said, sir, about sympathiz-
ing with US, and that only the help of God
made you differ from us?" Eyes, my friend
replied the clergyman. "Well, sir, Pm in here
Tor life. didn't know anybody sympathized
''AsAi AAet Dut Cau StdJ mere more COnCeHteU
now thatI have brother out in the world "
On. how some of these unfortunate victims
walled in by scandal and oboquy need broth
er out in the world. How much more like
Christ to take your stand by the side of some
OF these prosecuted and maligned people and
make real to them the mercy and grace of God
No, beloved, we can't depend on the reports
which IN oh
nor the reports Of what our neighbors say of
u.s. What is brought to US is changed in the
transit; extenuating circumstances are left off;
qualifying sentences are omitted; different ex-
preston is given to the words. Nine times
out OF ten the original was gold and it came to
you as pewter. Then again, we are not only.
to be assured of the truth of what we utter
but we are also to utter it for some great end
to promote the welfare of those around US;
to answer the ends of justice, to obey the i'm
pulse of duty. 1t may be true that the charac-
ter of an individual is as we have represented
It. and his actions faulty as we have described
them. 1t may be that he acted just as we
might wish to describe him as acting, and vet
we be prohibited from the utterance of those
IL
may infct wound on hearts whose happiness
is as dear as our own. He is hard hearted in.
deed who deliberately causes wound which
can not be healed until the smitten one is in
that place where the weary are at rest Sup
posing we do know something true against |
some one. We may, by giving publicity to
that which is secret, take away the most pow
erful motives to reform in that guilty life.
We may humble with shame needlessly soul |
who might, by little encouragement from US,
rise to noDleness and purity. Oh, beloved, if
we see some one stumbling, instead of trip
ping him up let us help him on to his feet. If
we see some on the down grade, instead of
giving him an additional push. let US reach out
for his hand and pull him up to the top of the
hill. Instead of thistles, let us pass roses to
our fellow men. Instead of pouring ANN nia !
on their wounds, let US apply the oil of grace
and kindness and bind up with the balm of
Gilead. Oh, tell you it is meager satisfaction
to have excited the wonder gratihed the
curiosity of some news seeker and have
brought about an irretrievabe loss to some
soul! That individual is little to be envied who
can carelessly throw all these aside, and with
fiendish independence say: my tongue is my
own, and will say what please" There is
higher than an earthly tribunal where words
are to be rehearsed and consequences examin- /
ed. The hour is hasting on apace when not an
idle word shall be forgotten. and miserable in
deed will be the apologies which the vain
talker will have to offer