A Difficulty Settled by Sel.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 4, 1872

A Difficulty Settled.

By Sel.

In the town of M——, Ohio, on its first settlement, Mr. B. owned a farm and mill privilege. Before long, Mr. W., a miller, came into town, and, by the assistance of his neighbors and consent of Mr. B., he improved the mill privilege by erecting a grist-mill and saw-mill.

For many years, all went on amicably; but at length an uncomfortable feeling arose between the families of Mr. B. and Mr. W., which became somewhat serious and threatened a lawsuit.

After many efforts to settle the difficulty, Judge B., a mutual friend to both parties, succeeded in bringing them to meet him at the dam. Taking Mr. B. alone, the judge asked him to make a private mark on the rock near the dam, showing how high he thought by the intention of the original contract the water was to be raised. He then took Mr. W. alone, and requested the same from him. When each party had made his mark, the judge found that Mr. B. had given Mr. W. one foot more than Mr. W. claimed. The difficulty was instantly settled; legal instruments were drawn, securing each his permanent rights, and peace was restored.

How many difficulties and misunderstandings among honest men would vanish away if the real aims and wishes of the respective parties were fully known to each other. “Blessed,” said our Lord, “are the peacemakers,” rather than those who favor the popular side.—Sel.