THE RADIANCY OF REBUKE
I want to radiate the ability to rebuke without offense, although this
may appear to be a singular desire. One night I sat with a friend
enjoying the exquisite music of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. During
one of the most subtle and delicate passages a "lady" in the seat behind
me began to whisper to her escort. It was as the thrusting of a bottle
of sulphuretted hydrogen under my nose when I was enjoying the subtle
essence of a violet.
Four times that evening did that "cultured" Boston savage outrage my
susceptibilities by her rudeness, by her theft of my power and right of
enjoyment.
I wanted to rebuke her, and I did not know how, without giving her
offense. I used to offend such offenders and glory in my share of the
offense. I hope I have learned better,--yet, all the same, I do wish to
administer some rebuke, that will be effective. As I have said
elsewhere, I want to do this so that my own serenity is preserved. Thus
shall I radiate serenity and not offense. If I am disturbed, offended,
outraged, I radiate those vibrations of unrest and disturbance. I would
reprove kindly, but surely and effectively, and that is best done by
bringing the offender into sympathy with the best that I desire for him
as well as myself.
I would that I could rebuke every boy who keeps a seat in a car when an
elderly or aged man or woman stands by unseated.
I would that I could rebuke every parent who fails to teach his or her
child his duty in this regard.
I would that I could rebuke every parent who fails to require absolute
and explicit obedience to authority--his own and all other proper
authorities--on the part of his or her child.
I would that I could rebuke every irreverent person whether in Catholic
Cathedral, Episcopal Church, Methodist Chapel, Congregational
Meeting-house, Navaho Hogan, Hopi Kiva, or Chinese Joss House, who
laugh, sneer, talk aloud, or in other vulgar way show their irreverence.
All are sacred to some one--all should alike be reverenced.
I would that I could rebuke every haughty purse-proud woman or man who
_demands_ service, not through love, but by power of money or fear.
And my rebuke list would include the politician who uses his office for
graft, the senator who sells his vote, the legislator who hesitates to
give his interest and vote to all bills that seek the true welfare of
the common people. It would include every purveyor of adulterated foods
for the people, every user of child labor, every employer of sweated
labor, and every "bargain-counter" fiend who hunts for the product of
the sweat-shop. It would include every newspaper owner who allows
prejudice to control his columns rather than fairness, and makes himself
a party to the willful deception of the people; every lawyer who values
fees more than justice; every physician a case more than health; every
preacher a fat salary more than truth.
And it might include you, reader, did I know you as well as I know
myself, whom I rebuke constantly.