y your imprudence, nor neglect
your duty to their souls, through excessive carelessness. Study wisdom,
skilfulness, and discretion, in all things.

7. _Set your face against the discussion of the characters of those who
are absent._ This is a most pernicious practice, quite too prevalent at
the present day. I would have you avoid, as much as possible, speaking
even of the good qualities of those who are absent, for two reasons: 1.
I see no good likely to result from it; therefore it must be an
unprofitable method of spending time. 2. It leads us to speak also of
their faults, so as to give their whole characters; and this is evil
speaking. Never allow yourself to say anything to the disadvantage of
any person, unless your duty to others may require it. This, however,
will rarely happen; but it may sometimes be your duty to caution others
against being ensnared by one whose character you know to be bad. The
Scriptures condemn backbiting and evil speaking in the most pointed
terms. "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil
of his brother, speaketh evil of the law." "Speak evil of no man." "Let
all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and _evil speaking_,
be put away from you." "Debates, envyings, wrath, strifes,
_backbitings_, _whisperings_, swellings, tumults." "_Whisperers_,
_backbiters_, haters of God, despiteful." Here we see how the Lord
regards this sin; for he has classed it with the exercise of the most
abominable passions of the human heart. Yet, how common is it for
professors of religion to speak freely, and without reserve, of the
characters of others, and even of their own brethren and sisters in the
church. This is a great sin, and it is productive of much evil in the
church and in society. It creates heart-burnings, jealousies, and
strife; and furnishes employment for _tale-bearers_, that most
despicable set of mischief-makers. But this sin is often committed
without saying anything directly against another. A sly insinuation is
often productive of more mischief than direct evil speaking. It leaves a
vague, but strong impression upon the mind of the hearer, against the
character of the person spoken of; and often creates a prejudice which
is never removed. This is most unjust and unfair, because it leaves the
character of the injured person resting under suspicion, without his
having an opportunity to remove it. This is probably what the apostle
means by _whisperers_. Solomon,