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"UNIFIES MEN AND NATIONS."
SOLOMON is commonly accredited as one of the wisest of men, and it was doubtless out of his own experience that he evolved this bit of practical wisdom, "A soft answer turneth away wrath,"—one of the best known, most frequently quoted, and yet least acted upon of his proverbs. The reason for this, perhaps, is that to human belief, while conceding the truth of this saying, preaching is held to be much easier than practice.
The counsel voiced by the prophet Isaiah is along the same line: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord;" but this reasoning process to which we are invited cannot be made effective if those who should "reason together" are not courteous, considerate, and Christian, rather than angry, dictatorial, and unchristian, and this applies to nations as well as to individuals. Indeed, we may reasonably ask how many of the wars which have stained the pages of history would have been prevented had the wisdom of Solomon prevailed, and had those concerned preferred to "reason together" instead of forcing conclusions, based, not upon the good of all mankind, but upon personal prejudice and angry intolerance, unmindful that he "who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe."
Perhaps the same impression prevails with nations as with individuals, that a "soft answer" is an indication of a weak or invertebrate personality, but this is not true. "The truth is always the strongest argument," wrote a pagan sage, and the hand of iron grasps none the less firmly when encased in a velvet glove. As a celebrated English divine cleverly counseled his students: "If you are drawn into a controversy, use very hard arguments but very soft words."
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October 29, 1910 issue
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DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT
JUDGE CLIFFORD P. SMITH.
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TRUE DEMOCRACY
DAISY BEDFORD.
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INDIVIDUAL WORK
ANNE MAY LILLY.
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THE UNRULY TONGUE
JOSEPH B. BAKER.
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STORM AND CALM
EDITH DOYLE.
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OUR RIGHT PLACE
GENEVA MARY CLIPPINGER.
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What is bounty but love in the giver,...
Theron Brown
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In every branch church of Christian Science throughout...
Miss E. M. Ramsay
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Whether it is wise for jurymen to indulge in newspaper...
Frederick Dixon
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An editorial which appeared in a recent issue of the...
Frank C. Barrett
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There are "several reasons" why Christian Science is...
John L. Rendall
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A clergyman, whose sermon was reported in your columns,...
James D. Sherwood
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There is no element of suggestion or human mind force...
Edward W. Dickey
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The text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"...
W. C. Williams
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In essaying a reply to your anonymous correspondent,...
R. Stanhope Easterday
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MRS. EDDY TAKES NO PATIENTS
Editor
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"UNIFIES MEN AND NATIONS."
Archibald McLellan
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THE BAPTISM OF FIRE
Annie M. Knott
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THE WINDS OF GOD
John B. Willis
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AMONG THE CHURCHES
with contributions from E. A. Crane
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THE LECTURES
with contributions from Stephen G. Porter, F. W. Simmons, J. L. Wallace, George S. Atwood, W. R. Geddes
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Three and a half years ago I sought a Christian Science...
Eva Comstock Shelly
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I have long felt it my duty to tell of the benefits I have...
Carrie L. Banta
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Sixteen years ago I was stricken down with a terrible...
John L. Russell with contributions from Sophie Marie Greub
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Gratitude compels me to testify to what Christian Science...
Joseph R. Curl
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A few months after my arrival in America, fourteen years...
Eugenie Rivollier
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I wish to express my thankfulness for the healing of our...
Mattie Ermin Garrard
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I wish to express my gratitude for the benefits received...
Minnie J. Waycott with contributions from Wilhelmine Hoefling, Sophie Koenig
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The screen of the stereopticon is the world about us
Katharine W. Frost
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FROM OUR EXCHANGES
with contributions from James E. C. Sawyer