Jottings on Unconverted Ministers and Evil Speaking
By Jos. Clarke
CAN a farmer leave his fields and run a steamboat? Can a collier teach school? Can a novice command an army? Can a clown become a general? Can an idiot build a railroad? Can ignorance instruct? Can dumbness teach elocution? Can deafness criticize music? Can death resurrect? Can darkness produce light? If so, then can an unconverted, proud, self-complacent minister point souls to the Lamb of God, to him that taketh away the sins of the world. Churches cannot boast; for if their ministers are in a low state of spirituality, or have none at all, it is but an index of their own want of life. See Hosea 4:9. Ps. 140:11: “Let not an evil speaker be established,” &c. Oh! the evils of evil speaking! What a vagabond is an evil speaker! See that woman that has been deserted by husband and sons! Only her terrible tongue has done all this! Her family, vagabonds in the earth! When prosperity smiled for long years and years, she grumbled and talked, and slandered and talked beyond endurance. It grew upon her. Now who wants her about them? No one accuses her of other faults. This alone has ruined a family. Friend, be you old or young, rich or poor, take care of your tongue. Check that censure, that whisper. Let your neighbors' affairs alone. Think of something else. Read the Bible; history, in fact, keep your active mind busy. There is a world of useful knowledge before you; useful books upon every useful subject. Do not, I beg of you, waste the time by studying your neighbor's character, but build up a character yourself, within yourself.