| Week-Day Religion |
Chapter 18 |
Page 4 |
Longfellow says, “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.” We always feel kindly and speak softly in the presence of suffering. There is something in us that prompts us to extend sympathy and help to one that has sorrow. To remember that in every life there are hidden griefs would go far to help us to observe toward all the law of love.
An artist used to say to his pupils, “The end of the day is the proof of the picture.” He meant that the most favorable time to judge of the excellence of a painting is the twilight hour when there is not light enough to distinguish details. Then defects in execution cannot be seen, and the artist’s thought glows in its richest beauty. In like manner, the close of the day of life is the truest time to look at human character. In the noon glare all men’s faults appear. Jealousies, emulations and rivalries show us to each other in the heat of clashing, conflicting life in most unfavorable light. We are apt to put the worst construction upon each other’s actions and motives. We see each other through the defective and distorting vision of our own selfishness. All the evil appears magnified, and many of the better things are unperceived or shown in false settings. But when the shadows of the evening of eternity begin to fall upon us, we see each other with the asperities softened and with the blemishes covered by the veil of charity. When the fierce competitions are hushed we see man in truer light. We do justice then to their virtues and better qualities. Envy and prejudice in us no longer magnify the evil that is in them, while the good shines out in transfigured splendor.
When we sit beside a man’s death bed we have no harsh judgments to pronounce. Beauties appear which we had never observed before, and imperfections fade out in the softening, mellowing glow that streams from the gates of the eternal world. How kindly we feel toward him in that hour! Can we not learn to look at men always as we shall at the close of the day? Then it will be easy to feel and to exhibit toward all that love that never faileth, that thinketh no evil, that hopeth all things.
Page 4
<< Prior Page 1 2 3 4 Next Page >>