p. 76 | Brevities by J. CLARKE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Aug 2, 1864

Brevities.

By J. CLARKE

An excitable man, one that is hasty, even if a good man, frequently has less influence than a bad man, who is deliberate and calm.

When an Adventist hires help and gets those of his own belief, he can probably often hire them cheap, by representing to them the advantage accruing from having his society; and why should they not pay for it? True, it may be an advantage to the employer to have such help, but this need not be spoken of before the hireling; it would make him dissatisfied, and no one but a meddler would do this. True, the world may talk a little, but what does that signify?

When others sin against you, accept nothing but thorough confession; but when you sin against others, brave it out, and justify it as long as possible.

There is an advantage in abusing an inoffensive, meek man, for he will not resent it. But be careful not to speak disrespectfully to a resentful man, unless you get him in a close place, then talk as you feel disposed.

Always have a pleasant countenance and a kind word for those whom you fear, or whose influence you value; but have a sullen frown and curt reply for those you dislike; and even if you are a little blunt to nearer friends, it is no matter, for they are so connected with you that they cannot cut your acquaintance.

"Better reign in hell than serve in Heaven," was the motto of the arch-deceiver; and a modern expression is some like it: "Better be at the head of a mouse than at the tail of a lion." Yet fiendish as such expressions are, they do still find admirers.

If you cannot do just what you would like to do, do not do anything; this will bring people to terms.

Sharp treatment of particular vices is sometimes indispensable; sometimes a sentence goes farther than an essay.

A good building is erected not without a variety of materials and work; so a valuable character is the result of much labor and experience.

Humility shrinks from the task of exposing another's error, but falls manfully to the extirpation of evil near home.

He who can think of his own faults without pain, can probably be impatient at the faults of others.

He who can think of another's faults without a diminution of love for him, has probably repented of his own.

When a proud man embraces the truth, Satan tries his best to rock him in his magic cradle, where the victim becomes giddy, and false lights swim before him, and he thinks he is in a sea of glory. Beware of Satan's arts to beguile.

God always works upon the understanding, and enlightens the mind. Satan works powerfully upon the imagination.

I do not see a single trait in the character of Absalom to admire; even his hatred to the seducer of Tamar terminated in assassination, and his beauty and address were used in supplanting an indulgent and noble father; yet the pen of a poet has been dipped in ink to exalt this foul parricide and incestuous traitor; and this ill-judged poem is read in our schools as an exercise, being incorporated in class-books. What is the consequence? Absalom finds admirers. Take the Bible, brother, read the life of Absalom, then admire him if you can.

I esteem Judas the counterpart of Absalom, and one is as lovely as the other, N. P. Willis' poem to the contrary notwithstanding.

He who bends his will to the logic of Satan, weakens his own judgment, and loses the control of his will.

When two parties plead for a decision, hold your judgment in suspense, however painful and self-denying, until you hear both sides, lest by a hasty decision you lose self-respect.