Ratskin Lives.
A glove manufacturer was showing a customer a handsome pair of brown gloves. They looked fine and soft and valuable, but the customer was bidden to examine them more carefully. Then he saw that they were covered with many little scars and scratches, which were quite certain to weaken the skin, and which rendered the gloves of very little value.
The gloves, it was explained, were made of ratskin; and ratskin was always affected in that way, because rats fight so much. Their much-scarred skin is therefore of little use for glove-making, though otherwise it might be quite valuable.
The point of comparison is not far to seek. Doubtless you know, as I certainly do, some of those pugnacious men and women whose minds and souls are scarred all over with the marks of innumerable combats. They have gone through life with big chips on their shoulders. When no one else would knock them off, they have done it themselves. Debates have dislocated their days and quarrels have torn their lives asunder. They have no friendship that is not rent in gaping spots, and ever-new disputes keep the old scars open and add fresh ones.
Nothing fine or even useful can be made from such lives. They are merely tolerated. The necessary attitude of the world toward them is one of pity, indifference, or sad repulse. And thus arise still other scars.
Oh, how they need that "preparation of the gospel of peace," wherewith not only their feet may be shod, but their hands, and their entire being!