Criticizing and Faultfinding
[
Health, Philanthropic, and Medical Missionary Work, 23-26
(1885).]
Those visiting our institutions and seeing where work is not done
to the best advantage, should, if they have had larger experience, and
know of a more successful way to manage, counsel with those who
are in trust and seek to help them to see the right way of action. Those
who fail to do this neglect their duty, and are unfaithful to their God-
given responsibility. Such an one, if he goes from that institution
without saying anything to the proper persons and states to parties
not connected with it that he saw failures in the management there,
that he saw places where expense was incurred without benefiting
the institution, has failed to manifest a Christian spirit and has been
unfaithful to his brethren and to God. The Lord would have him diffuse
light, if he has it to give; and if he has not a well-regulated plan to
suggest, he does wrong to tell others of the mistakes which he has
seen. If he fails to give the workers the benefit of his supposed superior
wisdom, if he only finds fault without telling, in a right spirit, how to
improve, he not only injures the reputation of the institution, but of the
workers, who may be acting according to the very best light they have.
These things need to be carefully considered. Let every man and
woman inquire, “On whose side am I? Am I working to build up or to
tear down one of God’s instrumentalities?”
One thing makes me feel very sad, and that is that there is not
always harmony among the workers in our institutions. I have thought,
Is it possible that there is anyone who will find fault with those con-
nected with them in the work? Is there anyone who will suggest to
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patients or to visitors or fellow workers that there are many things
which ought to be done that are not done, and many other things which
are not done right? If they do this, they are not doing the work of
Christians.
Men who have been appointed to different positions of trust are to
be respected. We do not expect to find men who are perfect in every
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