Tattling Church Members by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 5, 1914

Tattling Church Members

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

IN his book entitled "The Soul-Winning Church," Rev. L. G. Broughton, D. D., says: "Not long since, I read an account of a man's conception of tattling church members. He drew a picture of the scene at the table where the rich man and Lazarus were,—Lazarus eating the crumbs, and the dogs licking his sores. Then he said, 'You people in the church that are constantly talking about one another remind me of those dogs.'"

It would be well if tattlers, busybodies, and scandalmongers everywhere would meditate on this statement. It is true that it is pretty strong, but the rebuke is no stronger than the case demands. Anybody can tattle; and tattlers and professional gossips are, as a rule, prevaricators. As they hand the morsel of scandal around to those who will lend their ears as a sewer for this purpose, it grows; and a very small bit of gossip, through the prevarications of those who indulge in this unholy and unchristian business, will soon be of sufficient proportions to damage the reputation, and to make trouble in the home, the neighborhood, and the church. All this suits tattlers well, as in this way the dirty pool around which they dance and from which they dip the slime which they peddle, will be replenished.

This wicked thing should be banished from the life of every one of the Lord's children. It will destroy our own prospects of sharing in the joys of the world to come, as well as the hopes of others. The Holy Spirit of God will never dwell in the life of any one addicted to such an evil habit. If ensnared by the enemy in this way, we should most earnestly pray for deliverance.