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Evilspeaking
49
avoid every appearance of anger; and though you use plainness of
speech, let there be no reproach, no railing accusation, no token of
warmth but that of earnest love. Above all, let there be no shadow
of hate or ill will, no bitterness or sourness of expression. Nothing
but kindness and gentleness can flow from a heart of love. Yet all
these precious fruits need not hinder you from speaking in the most
serious, solemn manner, as though angels were directing their eyes
upon you, and you were acting in reference to the coming judgment.
[53]
Bear in mind that the success of reproof depends greatly upon the
spirit in which it is given. Do not neglect earnest prayer that you
may possess a lowly mind, and that angels of God may go before
you to work upon the hearts you are trying to reach, and so soften
them by heavenly impressions that your efforts may avail. If any
good is accomplished, take no credit to yourself. God alone should
be exalted. God alone has done it all.
You have excused yourself for speaking evil of your brother or
sister or neighbor to others before going to him and taking the steps
which God has absolutely commanded. You say: “Why, I did not
speak to anyone until I was so burdened that I could not refrain.”
What burdened you? Was it not a plain neglect of your own duty, of
a thus saith the Lord? You were under the guilt of sin because you
did not go and tell the offender his fault between you and him alone.
If you did not do this, if you disobeyed God, how could you be
otherwise than burdened unless your heart was hardened while you
were trampling the command of God underfoot, and in your heart
hating your brother or neighbor? And what way have you found to
unburden yourself? God reproves you for a sin of omission in not
telling your brother his fault, and you excuse and comfort yourself
by a sin of commission by telling your brother’s faults to another
person! Is this the right way to purchase ease—by committing sin?
All your efforts to save the erring may be unavailing. They may
repay you evil for good. They may be enraged rather than convinced.
What if they hear to no good purpose, and pursue the evil course they
have begun? This will frequently occur. Sometimes the mildest and
tenderest reproof will have no good effect. In that case the blessing
you wanted another to receive by pursuing a course of righteousness,
ceasing to do evil and learning to do well, will return into your own
bosom. If the erring persist in sin, treat them kindly, and leave them
[54]