I. Character is in the keeping, and therefore at the mercy of acquaintances.
1. Therefore supremely value each other’s good name.
2. Jealously defend a worthy reputation.
3. Scornfully silence the unproved rumours of evils.
II. Character may be ruthlessly shattered by sinister whisperings.
1. For listeners are ready to entertain and repeat slander. “Man’s inhumanity to man!”
2. Aspersions feed on the inventiveness of malice.
3. Reputation is easily damaged. That which only a lifetime can build an hour may defame.
III. Character is so precious that its traducers should be loathed.
1. Dread a talebearer as a destroying pestilence.
2. He who wrongs another’s reputation may next wrong yours. By heeding his slanders you” encourage his vile trade, and slander must find new victims!
3. Put to shame all talebearers with ruthless severity.
Note--
1. There is enough of woe abroad without increasing it.
2. As we need our many evils to be pitied by man and pardoned by God, let us with “charity hide sins,” not expose them.
3. There is grace in Christ, and energy in the Holy Spirit, by which to perfect a good life and win a good name, which even enemies of religion shall be unable to defame or destroy.
4. The light of the final judgment will refute all slander, and bring every secret thing to the open gaze of the world. (W. H. Jellie.)
Mischief of talebearing
The carrying of a tale, and reporting what such an one said or such an one did, is the way to sow such grudges, to kindle such heart-burnings between persons, as oftentimes break forth and flame to the consumption of families, courts, and perhaps at length of cities and kingdoms. The mischief such incendiaries do is incredible, as being indeed for the most part inevitable. And a vine or a rose-tree may as well flourish when there is a secret worm lurking and gnawing at the root of them, as the peace of those societies thrive that have such concealed plagues wrapt up in their hearts and bowels. (R. South.)
Scandal rebuked
Oneday, in the presence of a pious tanner, at Elberfield, some people were tearing their neighbours’ characters to pieces. Diedrich, the tanner, was silent. “You say nothing,” said they. “You see,” replied he, “I am a little like a bankrupt. He may be engaged in a most animated conversation, but I have always remarked, when the subject turns upon bankruptcy, he is suddenly dumb. I, too, am a bankrupt; the defects you are just reproaching your neighbours with I find in myself, and that shuts my mouth.” (Pastor Krummacher.)
Talebearing condemned
Thefollowing is related of the late J. J. Gurney, by one who, as a child, was often of his family circle:--One night--I remember it well--I received a severe lesson on the sin of evil speaking. Severe I thought it then, and my heart rose in childish anger against him who gave it; but I had not lived long enough in this world to know how much mischief a child’s thoughtless talk may do, and how often it happens that great talkers run off from the straight line of truth. I was talking very fast about some female relative, who did not stand very high in my esteem, and was about to speak further of her failings of temper. In a few moments my eyes caught a look of such calm and steady displeasure, that I stopped short. There was no mistaking the meaning of that dark, speaking eye; it brought the colour to my face, and confusion and shame to my heart. I was silent for a few moments, when Joseph John Gurney asked, very gravely, “Dost thou not know any good thing to tell us of her?” I did not answer. Thequestion was more seriously asked, “Think; is there nothing good thou canst tell us of her?” “Oh yes, I know some good things, certainly, but--” “Would it not have been better, then, to relate these good things than to have told us that which must lower her in our esteem? Since there is good to relate, would it not be kinder to be silent on the evil? Charity rejoiceth not ininiquity, thou knowest.” (Great Thoughts.)
The talebearer
Onecelebrated nation of antiquity used to express this man’s character by a very significant figure. They called a talebearer a “seed picker.” They gave him the same name which they used for a bird which goes about everywhere picking up seeds. There are men in the world who live by their seed collecting; by going about here and there from house to house, and gathering together all the little stories which can be told or made about the neighbours who are dwelling all the time securely by them and ignorant of the calumnies by which they are assailed. Yes, the “seed collector,” the man who goes about gathering anecdotes, great and small, about his neighbours, and retailing them again as he goes, is a common character everywhere. I wish that I could hold up the mirror to him for his own conviction. I am sure he would be ashamed, I believe he would be sorry if he saw himself faithfully pourtrayed. (Dean Vaughan.)
