The Literary Echo

Mutual Forbearance.

Nothing in all our relations in life is

more important than mutual forbearance.

No two persons have the same eyes; no

two view objects from the same point of

light; no two have been educated under

the same influences; no two, therefore,

think alike, feel alike, act alike, in all

things, and under all circumstances. Each

individual experiences somewhat different

emotions, and forms different conclusions

upon the same subjects at different times

and under different circumstances. There-

fore, let us not be too severe upon all who

differ from us, or condemn too harshly for

seeming faults.

The best of us, moreover are imperfect

mortals. We may be in error when we

feel most confident. Let us, then, re-

peat, be forbearing toward those whom we

judge to be wrong.

We do not say that we should esteem

all alike, without scrutiny. On the con-

trary, it is an imperative duty to commend

virtue, and set our faces against vice every

where. But there are foibles, errors,

faults, even apparently great ones, which

may exist in connection with much real

goodness of heart. Man is at best but an

imperfect being. Seeking perfection, we

are too liable to become disgusted, and

turn quite away from those whom we should

rather strive to win.

They who withdraw confidence from a

friend at the sight of the first foible, or, on

the other hand, suffer their love to be call-

ed forth without reserve by the observance

of the first commendable action, will find

the current of their affections shifting as

often as the wind. Some such mortals,

we have known, and we pity

To conclude, we remark, that if all

would practically observe and follow

thoughts such as are above suggested, it

would put an end at once to nine tenths

of the bickerings, the family quarrels, the

alienations of friendships, the hard-heart-

ed and hostilities which infest life, and har-

ass the minds of mortals. Let those who

doubt this, try the remedy in their own

case.