EVIL SURMISING by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1859

EVIL SURMISING.

By J. Clarke

This is a mischievous evil, deeply rooted in many hearts. It is like the upas, an air poisoner, it pollutes the very atmosphere; and wo to the poor victim of its power. It invades the neighborhood and the family; it attacks the holiest saint; and were an angel to descend to earth, with the light and glory of heaven upon him, he also would undergo the scrutiny of these surmisers. Satan wields an immense power, by fanning up the coals of jealousy and suspicion, and often no doubt, he whispers his foul slanders to one already tempted by this habit of surmising, and thus proves himself the accuser of the brethren.

I have discovered that many of God's dear people are troubled by this evil, though some there are who are almost entirely free from it, and I discover that those who are confiding and unsuspecting, are more free and confident in God, more even in their deportment, have a holier, purer influence, are happier, and they avoid many of the troubles, and vexations and snares to which surmising people are subject. But I am sorry for the afflicted saint, or sinner, who is subject to this propensity of surmising. And not less am I sorry for the person who feels the weight of the surmising eye, or heart, or tongue; for I do believe, that the more innocent and pure the object of surmising, the more cruel the rage of the surmiser. Satan is the accuser and hater of good, and heartily will he second every motion of the carnal heart towards the discouragement of good; and nothing is more to the discouragement of the good man, than to have his actions and motives misunderstood, misrepresented, misconstrued, even by the very ones who should be the last to do so.

Let every one who would overcome the world, every one who is troubled by this evil habit of evil surmising, arraign this intruder for a breach of the ninth commandment, prove him a false witness, a malicious slanderer, a viperous enemy, an evil bird, with as many eyes as feathers, and not one of them single.

Mr—, was a farmer in rather straitened circumstances, but addicted to liquor drinking. He had a family, a virtuous, industrious companion, and four or five young children. All at once, to the surprise of his neighbors, Mr—, leaves the State, no one knows why. Soon after his departure, the following conversation takes place between two of the neighbors:

A. Can you tell me, B., why Mr—, left his family in this way?

B. Well sir, he got in the habit of surmising things, and he got so at last that he believed himself, and really came to believe things for which he had no foundation or evidence but his own surmisings.

A. Can it be possible that he would leave his family so?

B. Well sir, I can tell you of a case in —, Co., Ohio, of a man who was an atheist, who would make up a tale, and tell it for the fun of the thing, and after often relating it, would finally come to fully believe it, and would swear to it in open court. Sir, it is wonderful what a man may come to by practice.

A. Indeed! such instances of human depravity and weakness remind us of the danger of giving loose to the imagination, and thus allowing Satan to paint for us, to poison our cup for us, and then to laugh as we drink it. Don't you think neighbor B., that Satan helps people to surmise evil?

B. Not a doubt of it, sir. J. CLARKE.