Year: 1875

Pointing Out His Faults, and Showing Hin

 that He is All Wrong.

 Among the cooperative societies o the United States, 1t is the practice tc criticlse brother or Q sister when he or she deserves it. A correspondent who was present on one of these occa sions, says -

 The young man to be criticised, whom will call Charles, sat inconspicuously in the midst of the company. When the doors were closed, he was asked by the leader whether he desired to say anything. Retaining his seat, he said that he had suffered for some time past from certain intellectual difficulties and doubts, but that he was combating the evil spirit within him, and hoped that he had gained somewhat; and so on. Hereupon a man, being called on to speak, remarked that he thought Charles had been somewhat hardened by too great good-fortune; that his success in certain enterprises had somewhat spoiled him; if he had not succeeded so well, he would have been better man; that he was somewhat wise in his own esteem not given to consult with others, or to seek or take advice. One or two men agreed generally with the previous re- marks, had noticed these faults in Charles, and that they made him dis agreeable; and gave examples to show his faults. Another =concurred in the general testimony, but added that he thought Charles had lately made efforts to correct some of his faults, though there was still much room for improve ment. A young woman next remarked that Charles was naughty and supercii- ous, and thought himself better than others with whom he was brought into contact; that he was needlessly curt sometimes to those with whom he had to speak. Another young woman added that Charles was respecter of persons; that he showed his liking for certain in dividuals too plainly by calling them pet names before people; that he seemed to forget that such things were disagree able and wrong. '

 Another woman said that Charles was often careless in his language; sometimes used slang words, and was apt to give bad impression to strangers. Also that he did not always conduct himself at table, especially before visitors, with careful politeness and good manners. A man concurred in this, and remarked eiAfso AO Aato AC&tAo OAAsAA ACo OOuIAo114A sAAO beefsteak on @ certain occasion as tough; and had made other unnecessary remarks about the food on the table while he was eating. A woman remarked that she had on several occasions found Charles respecter of persons. Finally two or three remarked that he had been in a certain transaction insincere toward an- other young man, saying one thing to his face and another to others, and in this one or two women concurred. Amid all this very plain speaking, Charles sat speechless, looking before him; but, as the accusations multiplied, his face grew paler, and drops of precipitation began to stand on his forehead. The remarks I have reported took up about half an hour; and now, each one in the circle having spoken, the leader summed up, He said that Charles had some serious faults; that he had watched him with some care; and that he thought the young man was earnestly trying to cure himself. He spoke in general praise of his ability, his good character, and of certain temptations he had resisted in the course of his life. He thought he saw signs that Charles was making q real and earnest attempt to cure his faults; and as one evidence of this he remarked that Charles had lately come to him to consult him upon a difficult case in which he had had @ severe struggle, but had in the end succeeded in doing right.