BREVITIES by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 28, 1860

BREVITIES.

By J. Clarke

Brotherly Love.—It has a quality alike distant from haughty, superciliousness on the one hand, and low familiarity on the other; it savors of the court of heaven, it cannot be imitated. Counterfeits are apparent, yet they are not always protested at first sight for various reasons.

He who would entrap a friend to save himself, is not only not a Christian, but is what Noah Webster would term a villain. Webster is a good definer of words, and is generally relied upon.

A Rare Fault.—Some men are exceedingly liberal by nature; Satan soon finds it out, and robs them lest they might perchance do some good with their money; thus it generally happens that good and liberal men soon become poor. Oh that good men were more discreet.

"Nice Points."—The exact point where cheerfulness slides into hilarity, and the precise line between economy and meanness, and the dividing line between liberality and lavishness, between zeal and fanaticism, between moderation and slothfulness, between strictness

and severity, and the like, are often termed nice points to determine.

What would you think of the man who would drive his carriage close to the brink of the precipice above the Niagara Falls, and not quite sliding off, should coolly calculate how much nearer he might drive to the edge of the rock, calling it a nice point?

The Adder.—I would recommend to deceitful, revengeful persons, the unamiable character of the serpent species, who horrify alike the bold and the timid; think much of the slimy reptile, who slily wounds the heel of the innocent passer-by.

To the Proud.—You will find that the ear of corn which has no grain upon it stands very erect, while the full ear bends down with its own weight.

A Fact.—A coward cannot long remain a Christian, he will either become a hero or an apostate. No coward ever attained to a heavenly crown.

Counterfeit.—One might cheat a broker with a coin of pewter, but let no sane man attempt to counterfeit a Christian virtue.

Means.—The ripe scholar needs only books and instruments, and practice to advance in his studies, while the child needs the living voice. So the experienced Christian should go forward of himself, trusting in God.

Public Worship.—Individual affronts, and private grudges (if such, alas, there be) are no more to be alluded to in public worship, than the collection of a sixpenny debt has to do with a public convention. Oh that people would reason and exercise common sense.

Inalienable Rights.—If you visit a neighbor how careful you are not to disturb even the least of his family. How much more when we meet to worship God should we respect the feelings of all who choose to attend, always remembering that wherever we meet for worship, that place is (for the time) our Father's house; and who knows what might be his displeasure if even the least of his servants were treated with disrespect.

Some are too ready to think themselves slighted. Such people are proud and are not aware of it. How beautiful the humility of the Syrophoenician woman whose humility and ready wit found such an appropriate answer. She was not offended when Jesus pleasantly spoke of giving the children's meat to the dogs. Her humility procured health to a daughter, and a lasting record. Had she pouted as many would do, and hurried off in a pet, complaining and murmuring, her daughter might have died a maniac, and we should never have heard of her humility and faith.

Sorry and Glad.—We lament the fate of the wicked, but we are very glad that they are to be separated from the righteous; many are the miseries here from the close contact of good and evil; but it is almost over. Praise the Lord, O ye righteous.

Begging.—It often happens that children of people in good circumstances get in the habit of asking for whatever takes their fancy: and if the child has a fair countenance, and good address, it often attains to a profound knowledge of the begging art, and the parent all the while blind to the disgusting habit; apples, candy, sugar all attainable by this low habit; and it sometimes happens that the children of the poor especially those of the lower strata, get this bold way of asking for favors.

The refined and well bred person loses no credit in asking favors (all are more or less dependent), and there is a delicate way of making known our wants: but really it is such a pleasure to hear some persons ask a favor, while it is so different with others. Can you explain it? One thing, I would advise parents to take this burden upon themselves, and not harden their children to it. I am glad the coveting, grasping, insatiable beggar is an exception in the church. I have heard that there were two kinds of poor, the Lord's poor and the Devil's poor; and I must believe it so.

Pertness of Children.—Who has not sat disgusted, indignant and sad, as he has listened to the miserable, flattering stories some parents tell about their children in their very presence. The child looks up as much as to say, "I'm not a common boy. Do you not see how my father is proud of his son? What feats I have performed! What wonderful things I have said!" Is there anything more flat, more simple than such a parent, and such a child? The parent shallow, the child pert, and both silly. Parents note the faults of your children, correct them, and let their virtues console your lonely hours.

Elder — says that the soul is a spiritual body, with organized, spiritual brain and limbs; then he admits that the resurrected body is a spiritual body, and it too is an organized body, and he holds that there will be a reunion of these two bodies in the resurrection; here he finds a difficulty which he did not think of before; two different bodies united to make one, (what theological bungling). Yet it looks glorious to the Elder. Perhaps he has a taste for the Siamese twins. I am sorry to have to descend to such illustrations, but there is a cause. Alas for the times!

J. CLARKE.