ADVICE TO MINISTERS BEST WITH GRUMBLERS.
Then, beyond that (i. e. patience), it is well to use a little worldly wisdom. While they are finding fault with you about doing this thing, do something else and draw them off from that. And then do something else. So keep them running from one thing to another. I have generally, in my own ministry, enabled myself to escape from long scrutiny on any one point! I have noticed that when the railway train goes past certain villages, some very active and ambitious little dogs run after the cars. When the train starts off, the dog has the advantage, on the whole, and gains on the cars; as the train goes faster and faster the dog begins to have all that he can do; and as the train gets under full headway, the dog falls behind, and his bark dies away in the distance. Put on steam and go ahead.—Henry Ward Beecher.