Show A SOFT ANSWER AWAY WRATH By Alfred Altred Farlow The scriptures declare that II a a a. soft answer cr away wrath but grievous ous words stir up an anger er J After considerable considerable con con- experience in delin dealing with the tho general public as well as with private individuals I have hao come to the con conclusion elusion that only what we gain ain bv by kindness kindness kind kind- ness can really be accomplished that what cannot be a accomplished ed b by kindness kindness kindness kind kind- ness cannot be accomplished at t a all all' 1 Only that which appears honest sincere and kind to our opponents their friends and supporters is really effectual Honesty Honesty Hon Hon- cst esty enables one to win and hold tho the confidence of those with whom he comes in contact and enhances his usefulness in the world while dishonesty dishonest or oi treachery ery causes one to lose the confidence of his fellowmen and while society may tolerate him to an extent it holds him himoff himoff himoff off at arms arm's length II Except the Lord build the house the they labor in vain that build it An effort which is not based upon principle principle principle brings forth no real results results- that which is not rightly done is not done done at atall atall atall all as time always proves It is like e a blundering effort to solve a problem for in addition to its worthlessness is the fact that it necessitates the labor of undoing In our effort to give ive a II soft sott answer we wo must always regard the matter under consideration from the tho viewpoint of those for whoso whose benefit the answer is made since a word which might be acceptable to one might be a matter of irritation to another Therefore Therefore Therefore There There- fore a a. soft answer is that particular statement which in view of existing circumstances circumstances cir cir- may lift thou thought ht and shed some li light ht without stirring up wrath Otherwise silence is about the only answer answer answer an an- that meets the demands of the sit sit- An Ah overzealous or unwise Christian Scientist may maJ b by br hasty words on a witness wit ness stand or in lD the presence of a newspaper net reporter stir up more wrath in a sin single le hour than a publication committee committee committee com com- in hie his vicinity could put pot down downIn In a year There is no reason why a Christian Scientist should commit himself himself himself him him- self unwisely simply b because cause in s some ne manner he is or provoked to do so It is no breach broach of courtesy to refuse refuse re reo fuse to answer an improper question and especially if no good is to be gained thereby Our Lord knew new the tho danger of wasting g time and words in the effort to teach those who are not prepared for instruction hence his declaration tion II Neither cast ye e your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn again t and rend you vou If we throw diamonds at an infuriated infuriated in in- animal he simply thinks we are throwing stones at him and his rage is is increases increased It is better to save savo tho the diamonds diamonds diamonds dia dia- monds gently en toss him an n ear of corn and let him mm lose his bad temper while he be cats eats thus leavin leaving him for lor the time timeto to havo have only what Tie he a appreciates and to quiet himself in his hie own satisfaction We may mav vary our treatment as those with whom we wo must deal become chan Changed ed in receptivity but to put forth forthan any an any and everything that mis misguided impulse impulse impulse im im- pulse may demand demaud docs does no good and ofton often of of- ten ton resul results s in ill to all concerned |