"LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK." Speak of no man from an unholy motive or with a design to injure him; this is decidedly wrong. We are commanded by our beloved Saviour to love our enemies, to do good to them that hate us and despitefully use us, to pray for them and seek their salvation. If we speak evil of them we dishonour God, bring guilt upon our consciences, grieve the Spirit, and spoil our peace of mind. If we indulge in idle talk without feeling guilty and distressed, our consciences must be seared, and our hearts hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Our tongues are not our own; they are bought with a price, and should be employed in the service of their new owner. Never indulge in thinking evil of another, or in feelings of jealousy, envy, revenge, bitterness, anger, or malice; for these are earthly, sensual, and devilish. How unlovely it is to hear one professor speak evil of another; the members speaking evil of the minister; the rich speaking contemptuously of the poor, the mistress of servants; much worse ministers speaking evil of ministers. Speak not evil one of another, brethren.

For Meditation:
Whene'er the angry passions rise,
And tempt our thoughts and tongues to strife;
To Jesus let us turn our eyes,
God's pattern of the Christian life;
How kind, how ready to forgive!
Be these the rules by which we live.