Gossip

Occasionally we find people who are very much disturbed because they hear that some one in the church or neighborhood has been peddling some gossip concerning them, and they determine to ferret out the originator of the defamation of character, and see that the person makes proper amends.

There are doubtless times when it becomes a duty to rectify, as far as we are able, some wrong impressions and misunderstandings occasioned by the tongue of the busybody or scandalmonger, but as a rule it is a profitless business.  If you have been lied about, don’t worry; live the lie down.  Maintain such a daily communion with the Master that those who know you will not believe the fabrication and the destroyer of character will have to meet the result of his wrong-doing in the judgment, if not sooner.

The example set us by an elderly colored woman is worthy of emulation.  Said a white sister for whom old Aunt Hannah was washing: “Aunt Hannah, did you know that you have been accused of stealing?”

“Yes, I hearn about it,” said Aunt Hannah, and went on with her washing.

“Well, you won’t rest under it, will you?” said the sister.

Aunt Hannah raised herself up from her work, with a broad smile on her face, and looking up full at the white sister, said: “De Lord know I ain’t stole nuthin’, an’ I knows I ain’t, an’ life’s too short for me to be proven’ an’ splainin’ all de time; so I jes goes on my way rejoicin’.  Dey knows dey ain’t tellin’ de truf, an’ dey’ll feel ashamed an’ quit after a while.  If I can please de Lord, dat is enough for me.”

A colored boy was once asked, “Who are the meek?”  His reply was, “Those who give soft answers to rough questions.”  It is the business of the Christian to pour oil on troubled waters, to be cool when others are excited, to be kind when others are cross, to be patient when others are impatient, to be like the Master, “who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously.”  1 Peter 2:23.  When men say all manner of evil against you falsely, commit your case into the hands of the righteous Judge, and the great Advocate will sooner or later vindicate your case.

The slanderous tongues which parade the supposed petty faults of others, magnifying molehills into mountains, are a bane to themselves and to others, and in the day of God will reap their reward.  Sad indeed is the life that is so marred.  But instead of becoming impatient, and unchristian, let us pray for all such, that we may indeed be the children of our Father who is in Heaven.