On Listening to Evil Reports.
THE longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rules which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters:— 1. To hear as little as possible of what is to the prejudice of others. 2. To believe nothing of the kind till I am absolutely forced to it. 3. Never to drink in the spirit of one who circulates an ill report. 4. Always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed toward others. 5. Always to believe that, if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter. I consider love as wealth; and as I would resist a man who should come to rob my house, so would I a man who would weaken my regard for any human being. I consider, too, that persons are cast in different molds; and that to ask myself, What should I do in that person's situation? is not a just mode of judging. I must not expect a man that is naturally cold and reserved, to act as one that is naturally warm and affectionate; and I think it a great evil, that people do not make more allowances for each other in this particular. I think religious people are too little attentive to these considerations; and that it is not in reference to the ungodly world only that that passage is true, “He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey;” but even in reference to professors also, amongst whom there is a sad proneness to listen to evil reports, and to believe the representations they hear, without giving the injured person any opportunity of rectifying their views, and defending his own character. The more prominent any man's character is, the more likely he is to suffer in this way; there being in the heart of every man, unless greatly subdued by grace, a pleasure in hearing anything which may sink others to his level, or lower them in the estimation of the world. We seem to ourselves elevated in proportion as others are depressed. Under such circumstances I derive consolation from the following reflections: 1. My enemy, whatever evil he says of me, does not reduce me as low as he would if he knew all concerning me that God knows. 2. In drawing the balance, as between debtor and creditor, I find that if I have been robbed of pence, there are pounds and talents placed to my account, to which I have no just title. 3. If man has his “day,” God will have his. See 1 Cor. 4:3.