'I 182 THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. the truth, which will naturally lead us into the best methods to promote it. And here the following 'directions may be useful: I. If you would convince a person of his mistake, choose a proper place, a happy hour, and the fittest concurrent circum- stances for this purpose. Do not unseasonably set upon him when he is engaged in the midst of other affairs, but when his soul is at liberty, and at leisure to hear and attend. Accost him not upon that subject, when is spirit is ruffled or discomposed with any occurrences of life, and especially when he has heated his passions in the defence of a contrary.opinion ; but rather seize a golden opportunity, when some occurrences of life may cast a favourable aspect upon the truth of which you would convince him, or which may throw some dark and unhappy colour or con- sequences upon that errorfrom which you would fain deliver him. 'There are in life some Mollissima tempora fandi, some very agreeatle moments of addressing a person, which if rightly ma- naged, may render your attempts more successful, and his con- viction easy and pleasant. IL .Hake it appear by your whole conduct to the person you would teach, that you mean him well, that your design is not to triumph over his opinion, not to expose his ignorance, or his incapacityof defending what he asserts. Let him see that it is not your aim to advance your owncharacter as a disputant, nor to set yourself up for an instructor to mankind ; but that you love him, and seek his true interest and not only assure him of this in words, when you are. entering on an argument with him, but let the whole of your conduct to him at till times demonstate your real friendship for him. Truth and argu- ment come with particular force from the mouth of one whom we trust and love. III. The softest and gentlest address to the erroneous, is the best way to convince them of their mistake. Sometimes it is ne- cessary to represent to your opponent, that he is not far off from the truth, And that you would fain draw him a little nearer to 'it ; commend and establish whatever he says that is just and true, as our blessed Saviour treated the young scribe; when he answered well concerning the two great commandments : Thou art not far, says our Lord, from the kingdom of hea- ven ;" Mark xii. 34. Imitate the mildness and conduct of the blessed Jesus. Come as near to your opponent as you can in all your pro- positions, and yield to him as Much as you dare, in a consistence with truth and justice. It is a very great and fatal mistake in persons who attempt to convince or reconcile others to their party when they' make the difference appear as wide as possible ; this is shocking to any person who is tobe convinced, he will choose
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=