Speak not Evil One of Another.
We should write the rule upon our hearts and the walls of our homes. Surely it is as fully needed now as in the ancient days when the Apostle wrote it. The fault of evil speaking is a grievous fault, and one, indeed, of which we are half conscious—each one can see it in the other, but would feel as if it were a most unjust accusation, were he charged with the same error. There are such different degrees of this evil. Many persons who would not reveal any secret that had been confided to them, would not hesitate to repeat some idle tale, or some slander, forgetting that in so doing they spread the poison and increase the evil. They would doubtless excuse themselves on the ground that they had not originated it; that many besides themselves knew it, and various excuses of the same nature; they forget that, although not the originator of the slander, they are assistants in the cruel and sinful work of spreading it; and though many may know an evil report, that is but a poor reason for others knowing it also; besides, no report can circulate without increasing as it goes, therefore each that repeats it helps to make it worse; even though the narrator may tell it as he heard it, either the one from whom he received it had enlarged the facts, or the one to whom he gives will do so—and may do it unconsciously, too—a look, a tone, an emphasis on a word, will often give a higher color, a deeper meaning to the narration of a circumstance, perhaps trifling in itself. If the report is a false one, how cruel to spread the malicious slander, and how shocking the thought that we have aided in circulating evil tales that will injure, perhaps ruin, the fair character of an innocent person. If, on the other hand, the tale be true, let us not soil our hearts and lips with the repetition of it—one cannot repeat evil things day after day, and not be harmed by them—the taint will touch their hearts; they will learn to have a keen relish for evil speaking, dearly will they love to hear or relate a slander, they will find a zest in it which they would fail to perceive in the recital of a good deed. Many, very many, are the reasons which could be given as causes why we should avoid evil speaking; there is one, however, which is all-sufficient—we are forbidden to do it. The injunction is simple, perfectly plain, concise but comprehensive—"speak not evil one of another"—what more do we need? Let us, then, each one, closely scan our thoughts and watch our conversation, and see whether we are guilty of this evil; doubtless we will find that in some degree we have erred, and spoken one against the other. With earnest prayer let us strive to subdue this subtle and prevailing sin: subtle it is indeed, often when we imagine we are denouncing some vice, which we fancy had been displayed in the conduct of an acquaintance, we are in reality speaking "evil one of another;" often when we flatter ourselves we are pitying some slandered one, or holding up some case as a warning, we are really repeating evil without any need whatsoever of our so doing. Let us diligently try ourselves, then, and seek by prayer and careful watching to cleanse ourselves from this dangerous fault.—Sel.