Read, Remember, and Practice.
By John Matteson
WHATSOEVER things are true . . . honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. 4: 8. People will speak and act out their thoughts; at least most of their thoughts, if not all. That which never came into our minds we could not speak or perform. Satan and the world are busy to dwell upon idle words and evil acts, real and imaginary, and to peddle the same from house to house. Christians have often been led astray to do likewise. This is yielding our members into the service of Satan. If we have ever been guilty of such work in the past, let us be zealous and repent. Second-handed reports are not reliable. There are always two sides to a story. If any one speaks evil of his brothers or neighbors, it should at once set us against the reporter. His mind does not dwell on pure and lovely things, nor on things of good report, but on evil reports. He does not, at least in this respect, walk in the light, but in darkness. Is the report sufficiently important to call for an investigation? Go right to the person on whom it is charged, or write to him. If you do not deem it worth while to present to your brother, do not partake in the devil's dirty work of slander, or peddling evil reports. Bury it right there, and ask your informer to be delivered from any more such stuff. Do not make a confidant of some brother or sister, nor of husband or wife, to pour your evil reports into their ears, they, in turn, telling you their grievances, thus having a free time with the devil in some corner, breathing out suspicions against this or that brother or sister. This is keeping the faith of the devil, and breaking the faith of Jesus. A terrible amount of guilt rests upon many Sabbath-keepers in this respect. Let this accursed thing be removed entirely from our71ranks. It is high time. Let us covenant before God, holy angels, and man, to never more be guilty of carrying second and third-hand reports against our brethren or neighbors. Let us keep the faith of Jesus. Christ never engaged in such low work. Our minds must be elevated to dwell upon pure, lovely, and heavenly things. If there are any good reports of any one, any praise or any virtue, we can safely think on such things, and fill our minds therewith, until Jesus, Heaven, and the glorious works of God among the children of men, shall be the theme of our conversation. Better be still if we can say nothing good or useful. Brethren and sisters, will you remember this part of the faith of Jesus? Then the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.