Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1877 — Professional Honor. [ARTICLE]

Professional Honor.

We are surrounded by dangers innumerable. Let us mention a few of them. It is not only the impudent interviewer who drags to light every family secret out of which to make up his column, but doctors, lawyers, ministers and servants divulge family secrets. Truly it is incumbent on all who have anything to conceal to watch their tongues and regulate their conduct, for gossiping professionals and garrulous acquaintances present us to a large audience and are very likely to misrepresent both speech and act. The only ■thing that gives us <omparativeprotcctioii from these dangerous classes is a wellordered conversation and faultless conduct. When society takes two or three Steps higher up, the scandal-monger will be esteemed so loathsome that every front door will be slammed in his face. And the question here arises: Should wellregulated families take pleasure, as so many of them do, in recounting and exaggerating the discreditable things of wiuch neighbors are sometimes guilty? Charity ami kindness grieve over wrongdoing, and the soul in which these characteristics dwell never repeats unfavorable stories about neighbors any more than does the loving mother about her boy who has erred. All these pray for and counsel privately the offending one. The minister enters families as a confidential friend and adviser, and unless he is a man of good judgment—as the majority of ministers are—the skeleton in the family is mentioned to the wife who is not in every case as discreet as minister’s wives should lie. She sympathizingly mentions the matter to the deacon’s wife, who before the matter is ended tells the most of the congregation. So it is sometimes with the doctor and the lawyer, who are likewise confidential advisers, but some of whom forget to padlock their tongues. All such tale-bearers and violators of confidence are themselves aggrieved when they are the subjects of unfavorable criticism. Putting yourself in his or her place before allowing the tongue license is an excellent rule. The fattier who has done an injury is entitled to forgiveress only when he reforms and apologizes. Let us mention two cases which merit commendation. The one was the wife of Dr. Chalmers. The doctor had moved into a new parish. The “ busy-body” was soon on hand with “ information” about the ways of this parishioner, and the habits of that one. “I am surprised,” said the excellent lady; “and although busy I will put on my bonnet and we will go over together "and tell these people the stories which are in circulation concerning them.” The busy-body refused to go. The visit was not made, and the pastor and wife were saved much trouble. Nothing like nipping an evil in the bud. The other case was that of a successful farmer of a neighboring State. He would listen to no bad stories about neighbors. With vigorous language he contradicted them on the spot. That man was uni versally respected in his neighborhood Silently he imitated his Divine Master—- ‘ Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.” Reader, be advised. We care not whether you are a professional or private citizen, aim to be a man of honor and a follower of the Golden Rule. Delight not in the circulation of unfavorable stories about friends or enemies. Attach not yourself to that infamous class who, worse than their ancestors, are ever ready to cast the first stone. Are you so righteous that there is not a flaw in your life ? How answereth thou ? Of this be sure: You have of yourself no power to tame the tongue. That power you must get from Heaven. You are weak; Christ is strong. Form a partnership with Heaven and become a complete and honored man. Stealing money is taking trash, but depriving neighbors and acquaintances of their good name is the worst of crimes. Get out of the unholy business, and as you expect others to be kind to you and your wife, your son end daughter, deal lightly with others. As you sow, so shall you reap. The difficult part of the foregoing advice is to apply it to a newspaper editor. For in "the first place it is not only his business but his duty to give any ana all important news that transpires, but certainly not to eavesdrop or. keyhole or betray confidence in order to publish news. And in the second place it should be his business, as it is his duty, to condemn what is unjust, cruel or wicked in the conduct of others when it comes legitimately before him. Neither I ‘will it do to say, Let him be perfect before he blames others, for in that case there would be no faithful journals.— N. Y. Witneat. —While in Boston, Mrs. President Hayes was driving with the ladies of her party when a carriage containing a gentleman, lady and several children was overturned in attempting to pass them. Scarcely had the accident occurred before Mrs. Hayes was out of her carriage and had one of the children in her arms, striving to soothe its frightened cries in the most motherly manner. —Fletcher Harper left half a million dollars in property.