Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1884 — Many Strands. [ARTICLE]

Many Strands.

Emerson says: “We do not believe, or we forget, that the Holy Ghost came down, not in the Bhape of a vulture, but in the form of a dove. ” “Imagine,” says Fronde, “that the cords Which bind together the brotherhood, of mankind are woven of a thousand strands. We do not any more become enemies because in one strand, out of so many, there are still unsound places." Fenelon says: “We make oUr weakness pass for strength, elevate it to a virtue and call it zeal. Is it not surprising to see how tranquil we are about the errors of others when they do not trouble us, and how soon the zeal kindled against those who excite Ohr jealousy or worry our patience ?” It was Dean Swift who said: “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another. ” “Particular churches and sects, ” says Sir Thomas Browne, “usurp the gates of heaven, and turn the keys against each other; and thus we go to heaven, against each other’s wills, conceits, and opinions. ” “Be assured,” said Dean Young, “there can be but little honesty without thinking as well as possible of others, and there can be no safety without thinking humbly and distrustfully of. ourselves. ” “It is easy,” said Peterborough, “to look down on others; to look down on ourselves is the difficulty.” “The character of a good man,” says Confucius, “consists in three things : to do himself what he tells others to do; to act on no occasion contrary to justice; and tj> bear with the weaknesses of those around hita. ”