"WHERE no counsel is, the people fail; but in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety." Prov. xi, 14.
"Every purpose is established by counsel." Prov. xx, 18.
There is no necessity for multiplying evidence of the excellence of prudent counsel, and of the wisdom of that man's course who values and seeks for good advice. The Bible abounds with proof that the best and wisest of men, who moved in those times, sought for prudent counsellors, who by their judgment and knowledge, were the strength and stability of any cause which they supported.
True, a man should have an opinion of his own, based upon facts, and strengthened by correct reasoning; and in religious matters especially, should he be established in his own mind; but the very way to be stable and firm is to know from the first all that relates to the matter in hand, to be well posted, thoroughly acquainted with all the relations and bearings of the subject at issue, and then he is prepared to make up his mind unalterably, and firmly; and for this he can find no more appropriate and certain means than by procuring the best, and ablest, and most prudent advice.
We find that worldly men appreciate counsel. Rulers have their counsellors and cabinets, both in war and peace, in public and private life. It is well understood that in order to have success in their undertakings, they must be conducted wisely, and where combined effort is called for, there must be harmony; and for this much counsel is taken, and all the information and advice that can be obtained is sought for before marking out the course to be pursued.
No man is so wise as never to need advice, never to need to be informed, and most men would improve much, both in temporals and spirituals, by asking advice. He is then better fitted to act, because he sees both sides of the question, even though his adviser may not be followed in every case. Christians ought to use every means in their power to make the best of life, the most of time and strength and talent and money, to lay their plans in such a way as to bring the most to pass, not to be at all unfair in their dealings, or dishonorable, but to use every lawful and honorable endeavor to improve the talents committed to their care.
Does a Christian truly consecrate all that he has to the Lord? Satan stands ready, with all his art and cunning, to lessen that man's property by every means in his power. Then let such a steward take plenty of counsel before he moves, lest Satan transfer that property, consecrated to the Lord, over to his own agents. It is trying to pride to admit that our own judgment is not as good as that of any other person; but the quicker we do know our weakness, the better it will be for us. Would the Christian ever attain to that spotless robe, if he had not first discovered that he had a filthy one to put off? and so while he imagines his judgment to be complete, it cannot improve by counsel, for his conceit has locked the door of knowledge against himself. Would Christians do this, it would beget confidence in each other, would create mutual good will, would augment that prince of virtues, charity. It would unite them more closely in love, it would tend to make them one in interest, one in sentiment, one in heart and hand, it would tend to invite all that is good and pure, and repel all that is unholy.