DIRECT CONVERSATION by D. Hildreth

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1860

DIRECT CONVERSATION.

By D. Hildreth

TALKING OVER TRIALS.

This is a very important subject. Words have a great deal of power either for good or evil. The word abounds with caution and instruction on this point, and a perfect control over the tongue is one of the highest attainments in the Christian life. Hear the apostle James: "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." Chap. iii, 2. This being the case we cannot be too careful of our words. There are some that have such an inclination to talk that it seems next to impossible for them to keep their tongues still when there is any one to talk with. If talkers would always say that which is good and profitable, they would perhaps be excused for their loquacity; but the grand difficulty is, that talkers are pretty apt to talk things which they ought not. Ponds generally have an outlet larger than the inlet;

so with some persons, they tell all they hear and a little more. How much mischief has been done by this talking, this tattling, this tale-bearing, this telling everybody everything a person hears or knows. Some talkers are continually telling about trials, and the defects of members of the church. For instance, one of this class stops with you over night or over the Sabbath. He soon commences to tell you the news. Bro. A. is in deep trial; he and Bro. C. have been in difficulty a long while. He goes on and tells you all the particulars, supposing you are as much interested in such gossip as himself. After telling of the errors and defects of his brethren and sisters, he tells you of his own trials, for he has a great many. Now this is all wrong.

1. It is an injury to the person spoken of. To have one's errors and faults trumpeted through the land is no small injury to reputation. Talkers are apt to exaggerate, and give the person they are talking about a "setting out." The person that has committed the error mingles with his brethren, fully persuaded that Bro. Talkative has exposed him, and so his peace of mind is destroyed. If we loved our neighbor as ourselves we should be very careful how we talked about others. Are we as careful of the reputation of others as we are of our own? Think of this.

2. It is an injury to the church. It causes alienation of feeling among brethren. Tale-hearing divides and scatters—our effort should be to cement and bring together. When such things are going on in the church, it has a bad effect on the cause.

3. It injures the narrator. When a person sits and hears him tell a long story about some one, he concludes the chances are that he will talk to others about him in the same manner. Now Bro. Talkative, I can assure you that your brethren would think more of you if you would cease talking so much about them. Some seem to think that they have a right to talk about others as much as they please, and still it is not evil-speaking. Thinking and talking over trials is exceedingly unprofitable. It casts a shade over the whole being. Such things should be meddled with only when it is really necessary. We should strive to look on the bright side of the picture as much as possible. The disposition to talk about others should be restrained. Was Jesus in the habit of talking with Peter, James and John about the failings of the rest of the disciples? Imitate his example. Do as you think he would do under the same circumstances. This talk is useless. It does not minister grace to the hearers. It does no good, but much hurt. We should be honest and open-hearted, but still not tell everything we know. Use discretion my brethren in your conversation. Say only that which will glorify God. Some things elevate the mind and instruct the heart, but dwelling on darkness and trials does not. When the conversation turns upon individuals, it is always safe not to say anything against them unless their course is going to injure others. Be careful, be courteous, be pitiful, be gentle. "Have compassion one of another, love as brethren."

D. HILDRETH.