Part 44 (1/2)

Taking Offense

There is immense wisdom in the old proverb, ”He [25]

that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.” Hannah More said, ”If I wished to punish my enemy, I should make him hate somebody.”

To punish ourselves for others' faults, is superlative folly. The mental arrow shot from another's bow is [30]

[Page 224.]

practically harmless, unless our own thought barbs it. [1]

It is our pride that makes another's criticism rankle, our self-will that makes another's deed offensive, our egotism that feels hurt by another's self-a.s.sertion. Well may we feel wounded by our own faults; but we can hardly afford [5]

to be miserable for the faults of others.

A courtier told Constantine that a mob had broken the head of his statue with stones. The emperor lifted his hands to his head, saying: ”It is very surprising, but I don't feel hurt in the least.” [10]

We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a differ- ent history, const.i.tution, culture, character, from all the rest; that human life is the work, the play, the ceaseless [15]

action and reaction upon each other of these different atoms. Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction [20]

of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with an equanimity so settled that no pa.s.sing breath nor accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; with a charity broad enough to cover the whole world's evil, and sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it,-de- [25]

termined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against G.o.d.

Nothing short of our own errors should offend us. He who can wilfully attempt to injure another, is an object of pity rather than of resentment; while it is a question [30]

in my mind, whether there is enough of a flatterer, a fool, or a liar, _to_ offend a whole-souled woman.

[Page 225.]

Hints To The Clergy

At the residence of Mr. Rawson, of Arlington, Ma.s.sa- chusetts, a happy concourse of friends had gathered to celebrate the eighty-second birthday of his mother-a friend of mine, and a Christian Scientist. [5]

Among the guests, were an orthodox clergyman, his wife and child.

In the course of the evening, conversation drifted to the seventh modern wonder, Christian Science; where- upon the mother, Mrs. Rawson, who had drunk at its [10]

fount, firmly bore testimony to the power of Christ, Truth, to heal the sick.

Soon after this conversation, the clergyman's son was taken violently ill. Then was the clergyman's opportunity to demand a proof of what the Christian [15]

Scientist had declared; and he said to this venerable Christian:-

”If you heal my son, when seeing, I may be led to believe.”

Mrs. Rawson then rose from her seat, and sat down [20]

beside the sofa whereon lay the lad with burning brow, moaning in pain.

Looking away from all material aid, to the spiritual source and ever-present help, silently, through the divine power, she healed him. [25]