SCOLDING by JOS. CLARKE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 15, 1868

SCOLDING.

By JOS. CLARKE

Change the “o” to “a,” and we have scalding. I have tried this method to my satisfaction. In the end no good can be obtained by it. Scolding is an unmitigated vice, without one genial quality, or one redeeming virtue. It is of satanic origin and continuance. Its effects are evil, and its existence is a curse.

Scolding cannot be cured by scolding. As well might one blasphemer attempt the conversion of his profane companion, as for a scolding person to scold another out of scolding.

The person who is so unfortunate as to have this habit confirmed, must be met with a smile. You speak pleasant words, and meet the rough, scolding person with mildness; and never mind if his harsh tones, and unfeeling expressions, tear your heart till it quivers with pain, be pleasant and kind. Do this day after day, month after month, and year after year, if you are indissolubly linked to a scold; but if not, flee from his baneful presence, when you have done what you can.

Like begets like; and parents who scold make scolding children; and, on the contrary, the reverse is true. I know of a very correct, lovely family. What is the secret of their loveliness? Says the father, I never gave my children a cross word. But he reads to them much with his sweet voice, and his children have come up in the sunshine of his smiles, and that of a mother of like character. May God protect them from the scolding, unfeeling world. Unless he does, their fine feelings being too sorely smitten might cause broken hearts.

I say I have tried it; not that it is habitual, but has been occasional. The Lord forgive me; brother, forgive. It has ended. With God's help, not another scolding expression shall pass my lips. It is not effective. You may think it so, but you are mistaken. If you choose you can curry your horse with a grub-hoe, or cut your boy's hair with a jackknife, or shear your sheep by tearing out the fleece; but in either case you will be regarded as a monster by boy and beast.

I have a nice little home, but I would give it all, and go out to work by the day, if I could say, as my friend can, that he never gave a cross word to those under his control. And this to me is a never-ceasing regret. How much pain we might have saved if we had always done as he has. And he has a fine reward.

Well, the truth must be told, but not in a scolding way; no, we must be careful how we walk in a flower-garden, lest we even inadvertently step on some delicate flower. Ah! my brother, rough men like you and I must be on our guard.

In the family, in the school, in the church, the parent, the teacher, the elder, will do well, not only to avoid scolding, but to practise the opposite virtue; and in the discipline of refractory ones, there are lawful means of punishment when kind words fail of causing reform. We must strive lawfully. A reproof given by one having authority, with gentle tones and tearful eye, has an effect to reform; while the opposite course hardens and exasperates hearts already hard and corrupt. Let us tread softly, carefully, along the pathway of life, righting up, as we go, the poor, crushed flowers which heedless feet have trodden down. JOS. CLARKE.