| Week-Day Religion |
Chapter 19 |
Page 4 |
Tact has a wonderful power in smoothing out tangled affairs. A pastor, with it, will harmonize a church composed of most discordant elements, and prevent a thousand strifes and quarrels by saying the right word at the right time and by quietly and wisely setting other influences to work to neutralize the discordant tendencies. A teacher possessed of this gift can control the most unruly pupils and disarm mischief of its power to annoy and disturb the peace. In the home it is a most indispensable oil. Quiet tact will always have the soft word ready to speak in time to turn away anger. It knows how to avoid unsafe ground. It can put all parties into a good humor when there is danger of difference or clashing. It is silent when silence is better than speech.
Nothing else has so much to do with the success or failure of men in usefulness as the possession or non possession of tact. A man with great gifts and learning accomplishes nothing, while another, with not one half of his natural powers or acquirements, far outstrips him in practical life. The difference lies in tact – in knowing the art of doing things. We need more than brains and erudition. The talent of all which tells most effectively in life is that which teaches us how to use the power we have. One person will do more good without learning than another with his brain full of the lore of the ages.
Tact is no doubt largely a natural endowment, but it is also partly an art, and can be cultivated. The awkward man who is always swinging himself against some one or treading down some tender flower may acquire something of the grace of easy carriage. The harsh, brusque man may get a softer heart, and with it a softer manner. The man who is always saying the wrong word and paining some one may at least learn to be silent on doubtful occasions. There is no better way to acquire this wonder working tact than by becoming filled with the spirit of Christ. Warm love in the heart for all men, unselfish, thoughtful, kind, will always find some beautiful way to perform its beneficent ministries.
A delicate kindness moves us more than the sublimest exhibition of power. Gentleness is mightier than noise or force. The tiny flower growing high up on the cold, rugged mountain, amid ice and snow, impresses the beholder more than the great piles of granite that tower to the clouds. The soft shining of the sun can do more than the rude blast to make men unfasten their heavy garments and open their hearts to the influences of good.
Page 4
<< Prior Page 1 2 3 4 Next Page >>