p. 76 | Reporters, Beware! by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 5, 1862

Reporters, Beware!

By R. F. Cottrell

It is said that the most secret plans of the government officers at Washington are known among the rebels before they can be carried into execution. If this is so, it must prove disastrous to the Union cause.

This may illustrate the tendency of that indiscretion (to use the mildest term), that reports church matters before investigation, and sets afloat rumors that this brother has done or feels so and so, and that such and such a one has given up, or will soon give up the truth. If one desires evil to come upon the church, he cannot devise a better plan to insure it. But if we desire the good of the church and the cause, let us not be so eager, like one of old, 2 Sam. xviii, 22, 23, to run with tidings before we have any to carry. Is not such a course playing into the hands of the enemy?

We are commanded to lay aside "all evil speakings." Can we do this while we report evil, without an absolute necessity for the good of the cause and the church? Beware, brother, sister, lest your course be opposed to that charity that "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." If you take no pleasure in bearing evil tidings, wait till the matter is investigated! It is no good thing to desire to be the first to communicate evil tidings. If some one else is the first to tell it, you will not be the loser. Wait—you may have better news to tell. R. F. COTTRELL.