"Thou shalt not go u and down as a talebearer among thy people ... Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him."
- Leviticus 19:16,17
Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God's Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord's people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than spur. Many glory in pilling down their brethen, as if thereby they raised themselves.Noah's wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from brethen, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond-SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.
