April 4

Judge not, that ye be not judged.—Matthew 7:1.

DO I regard the conduct of others with the same charity and mercy that I would have God show to mine? If ever tempted to judge my fellow-men, do I remember that to do it is to dare to assume an office which God claims for himself? Do I avoid discussing the characters and affairs of my neighbors; and never, by word or look, sanction it on the part of others? Rather do I take the part of the absent, and instead of exposing their faults, endeavor to speak, if not a good, at least a kind word for them?

He who blames others the most, is usually the most to be blamed himself. An eye quick to detect the faults of another, is but too commonly blind to its own. A sharp tongue is moved by an unquiet spirit; and an unquiet spirit wanteth not words of complaining and evil. Resentment, aversion, jealousy, indifference, all move us to unjust judgment of others.

While I am ready to adopt for myself any well-grounded opinion of others, my inmost heart revolts against receiving the judgments of others respecting persons; and I have never done so without bitterly repenting it.—NIEBUHR.

Judge not. The workings of his brain,

And of his heart, thou canst not see;

What looks to thy dim eyes a stain,

In God's pure light may only be

A scar, brought from some well-won field,

Where thou wouldst only faint and yield.