Ver. 13.-The tale-bearer. Tale-bearing may result from spite a.nu malice, or it may be an incident of idle gossip; but even in its milder phases it is a most mischievous practice, and one deserving of severe reprobation. Connected with what are called the minor moralities of life, the evil of it is far too little recognized by many Christian people, people who undoubtedly endeavour on the whole to square their conduct with right principles. It is very important, therefore, that the character of this very common fault should be exposed. I. WHEN 0ONFIDENCE HAS BEEN REPOSED, TALE•BEABING IS SHAMEFULLY DISHONOUR· ABLE. All of us admit in the abstract that it is mean and dastardly to betray confidence. But the practice is terribly frequent with people whose character should be proof against it. Of course, no man of principle would deliberately worm a secret out of an innocent, trusting friend for the very purpose of blazing it abroad. But there are cases in which the evil is less clearly recognized. 1. Confidence may be implied whe:n it is not expressed. A man need not say in so many words that he is telling us a secret, and bind us over to keep silent by solemn promises, in order to put us under an obligation not to betray his confidence. If be evidently trusts us, calls us into his counsels as an exceptional privilege of friendship, and tells us what we know he would not wish us to make public, the duty not to repeat his words is scarcely less binding. If, through being admitted into a man's house, we have discovered the skeleton in his cupboard, by accepting his hospitality, we are pledged not to reveal it. 2. Confidence may be betrayed through carelessness. If any one lends a jewel to a friend, he is required not only not to sell it, but not to leave it exposed to the danger of theft. Confidence is a jewel. It must be guarded. Should we through recklessness reveal what is entrusted to us, we are culpable. 'rwo practical considerations: (1) Do not be over-anxious to learn secretF. They bring with them painful, difficult obligations. Those people who are most careless in betraying confidence are generally most eager in their curiosity to pry into the affairs of thtir neighbours. Both habits imply a low moral tone, (2) Be careful how you give confidence. This is not merely a maxim of prudence; it is a rule of charity, for the trust is an obligation, possibly a very arduous one. Why should you force it upon a friend, and so increase his burdens? ' II. WHEN CONFIDENCE HAS NOT BEEN REPOSED, TALE-BEARING IS U~CHABITaBLE. I. It is ttnlcind, even if nothing damaging to characttr is said. We may know many innocent things about a man which it would be highly unbecoming to make public. The modest will respect decency of soul as well as of body. 'l'he veil of mental reserve is a requirement which should distinguish the civilized man from the savage as much as the clothing of his body. One of the penalties of royalty is tbe exposure of private and home lire in "the fierce light that beats upon a throne." Unhappily, this evil grows upon public characters; and the tendency of "society papers" to pander to idle curiosity with persoual gossip about celebrities is one of the most unwholesome habits of our day. 2. It is often infurioits when no harm is meant. The report is misunderstood, or it is unfairly judged by going forth without the lights and sbaues of accompanying circumstances, like a text without its context. 'l'bus a deed appears harsh which woulu be condoned if the causes which led up to it were all known. Like a rolling snowball, rumour grows as it progresses through the world. The love of dramatic effect unconsciously colours the "simple, round, unvarnish<'d tale," till the author could no longer recognize it. 3. It is ungenerous when it is a true tale of gitilt. We are not called to tell all the evil which we know of our neighbours. Charity would hide it. It is most inhuman to take pleasure in the vivisection of character. On the other hand, we must bear in mind that it is sometimes our duty to speak out unpleasant truths, as in bearing witness to a crime from obligations of justice, and in givmg a servant's character; untruthrulness in the latter case is dishonest, unjust to eruployers, and directly unfair to persons of good character by the depreciation of the value of truthful testimonials in the loss of confidence in all such documents. In conclusion, see how injurious tale-bearing is to the tale-bearer. 1. It rouses retali- 11tion, Who Among us can defy the tongue or slander thus provoked? 2. It degrndes 222 THE PROVERBS. [on. xr. 1-31.
the mind. ,v ordsworth has described the lowering infiucnoe of narrow personal talv. in contrast with conversation on topics of larger, nobler interest- " Sweetest melodies Are those that are by distance made more sweet. Whose mind is but the mind of his own eyes, He is a slave-the meanest we can meet."