In Contact with Others
Every association of life calls for the exercise of self-control, for-
bearance, and sympathy. We differ so widely in disposition, habits,
education, that our ways of looking at things vary. We judge differ-
ently. Our understanding of truth, our ideas in regard to the conduct of
life, are not in all respects the same. There are no two whose experi-
ence is alike in every particular. The trials of one are not the trials of
another. The duties that one finds light, are to another most difficult
and perplexing.
So frail, so ignorant, so liable to misconception is human nature,
that each should be careful in the estimate he places upon another. We
little know the bearing of our acts upon the experience of others. What
we do or say may seem to us of little moment, when, could our eyes
be opened, we should see that upon it depended the most important
results for good or for evil.
Consideration for Burden-Bearers
Many have borne so few burdens, their hearts have known so little
real anguish, they have felt so little perplexity and distress in behalf
of others, that they cannot understand the work of the true burden-
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bearer. No more capable are they of appreciating his burdens than is
the child of understanding the care and toil of his burdened father. The
child may wonder at his father’s fears and perplexities. These appear
needless to him. But when years of experience shall have been added
to his life, when he himself comes to bear its burdens, he will look
back upon his father’s life, and understand that which was once so
incomprehensible. Bitter experience has given him knowledge.
The work of many a burden-bearer is not understood, his labors
are not appreciated, until death lays him low. When others take up the
burdens he has laid down, and meet the difficulties he encountered,
they can understand how his faith and courage were tested. Often then
the mistakes they were so quick to censure are lost sight of. Experience
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