A Pastor's Reputation by John Angell James

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1863

A Pastor's Reputation.

By John Angell James

A MINISTER'S character is the lock of his strength; and if once this is sacrificed, he is, like poor Samson shorn of his hair, a poor, feeble, faltering creature, the pity of his friends, and the derision of his enemies. I would not have bad ministers screened, nor would I have good ones maligned. When a preacher of righteousness has stood in the way of sinners, and walked in the counsel of the ungodly, he should never again open his lips in the great congregation, until his repentance is as notorious as his sin. But while his character is unsullied, his friends should preserve it with as much care against the tongue of the slanderer, as they would his life against the hand of the assassin.

When I consider the restless malignity of the great enemy of God and holiness, and add to this his subtlety and craft; when I consider how much his malice would be gratified, and his schemes promoted, by blackening the character of the minister of the Gospel; when I consider what a multitude of creatures there are who are his vassals, and under his influence, creatures so destitute of moral principle, and so filled with venomous spite against religion, as to be prepared to go any lengths in maligning the righteous, and especially their ministers, I can account for it on no other ground than that of a special interposition of providence, that the reputation of Christian pastors is not more frequently attacked by slander, and destroyed by calumny.

But probably we see in this, as in other cases, that wise arrangement of Providence by which things of delicacy and consequence are preserved, by calling forth greater solicitude for their safety. Church members should, therefore, be tremblingly alive to the importance of defending their minister's character. They should neither expect to see him perfect, nor hunt after his imperfections—imperfections, which, after all, may be consistent with not only real, but eminent piety—they should not take pleasure in either magnifying or looking at them; but make all reasonable excuse for them, and endeavor to lose sight of his infirmities in his virtues, as they do the spots of the sun amidst the blaze of radiance with which they are surrounded.

Let them not be the subject of conversation even between yourselves, much less before your children, servants and the world. If you talk of his faults in derision, who will speak of his excellences with admiration? Do not look at him with suspicion, but repose an honorable confidence in his character. Do not make him an offender for a word, and refuse to him that charity and candor of judgment which would be granted to every one else. Do not magnify indiscretions into immoralities, and exact from him that absolute perfection which in your own case you find to be unattainable.

Beware of whispers, innuendoes, significant nods, and that slanderous silence, which is more defamatory than the broadest accusation. Defend him against the groundless attacks of others. Never hear him spoken of with undeserved reproach, without indignantly repelling the shafts of calumny. Express your firm and dignified displeasure against the whitting that would make him ridiculous, the scorner that would make him contemptible, and the defamer that would brand him as immoral.—John Angell James.