A Flaw in the Cloth by Annie L. Jack

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 14, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 19.

A Flaw in the Cloth.

By Annie L. Jack

I WAS out shopping with a friend whose disposition seemed to be to search for and find a flaw in every piece of cloth she saw. I did not like the idea of thinking every shopkeeper a rogue, and would rather have taken their word; but her close observation seemed to discern something faulty in all the goods presented for her inspection. Sometimes it was a thin place where the warp had been stretched, then again a few coarse threads in the woof, or a broken edge along the side, always something that seemed to justify fault-finding.

I thought of it afterwards—how easy it is to find fault when one is in search of flaws either in circumstances or character. Fault-finding and discontent is often brought on by searching for the very things we complain of, and in each other's character how often we try to find the “thin place” or the “coarse threads” or the “broken edge,” without looking at the intricate workmanship and beautiful finish, or remembering the difficulties in the way. No one is perfect; if we were, it would be useless to have any aim; but it is sometimes wise to shut our eyes to the failings of others, and as we hope to be “done by” so to do. It is a cheapening process to mind and spirit, this of searching for flaws; as much so in our moral nature, or our spiritual, as in the every-day shopping. The cloth would wear as well and we should be happier if we did not search so earnestly for little short-comings.—Annie L. Jack, in Christian at Work.