A DAILY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1929, Page 1

A DAILY MESSAGE

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION Tii.kkk is always Uie other side to every question. Yet how many m us act as if the side wo know—or the side we wish to believe —is the only side! How few of us ever attempt to verity the rumour that we pass on so readily: How few of us ever ask that judgment he postponed until we hear “the other side ” —which frequently happens to lie the right side. Even when “ tlio other side” is not the right side, it may, when known, so illumines the side we thought we knew, that it may cause us to pause before we deliver sentence. The longer I. live, the more convinced I am that the great misunderstandings in life are 'frequently due to impetuous judgments—to our failure io make ourselves acquainted with “ the other side.”

Aet ik Hr it oh in a court of justice would convict even a felon until he had heen heard in his own defence. W hv. then, should we he so ready to convict our friends and acquaintances without even raising our voices to ask “ What is the other side?” . None oil us should come to conclusions regarding the honour—the reputation—the veracity—the sincerity—the actions of another, until we know both sides of the question. What a wonderful world it would bn if no man or woman ever delivered judgement upon another until both sides of the question were known ! One greater than we said: “Judge not. that ye he not judged.” —M. PRESTON STANLEY.