Morning Star

MOVER:
Wednesday, May 14, 1834.

Speaking against Ministers.

There is a very common practice of speaking about ministers at which our feelings are sometimes not a little injured. It is speaking openly and imprudently of their faults; and sometimes finding fault when there is no good ground for it. Sometimes they are represented as proud, or lazy—are after money—seeking popularity—want to be great—are in fellowship with the world—speak too loud, too slow, too long, too every thing that does not happen to suit the complainant—preach too much temperance, &c. &c. Sometimes the faults of preachers' families are brought up, and unfavorable insinuations are thrown out. Now it is not our intention to discuss the subject of slander, which, as Dr. Paley defines it, is "the circulation of mischievous falsehoods;" but simply to offer a few hints in reference to the bad effects of speaking of preachers' faults, and faulting them where there is no just reason for it.

That the best of preachers are imperfect men, and sometimes imprudent in their lives or communications, will not be denied. St Paul himself with all his gifts and grace was not without his faults; nor were those persons wanting who could speak of the faults of this great and good apostle; "for his letters (said they) are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."

We deprecate this practice on several accounts. First, we have sometimes felt a degree of hesitancy in forming a religious acquaintance with a preacher, when we have heard the people of his charge continually harping upon his failings. We have had to slight much conversation, or else gently reprove such persons, because we were not willing to believe the preacher was a bad man, and especially as we wish in all cases to look upon the lives and characters of men in the most favorable light.

2. Such talk, "which is not convenient," is calculated to destroy serious impressions, especially with those who do not possess originality and independence of mind enough to make the proper allowance for good men's failings. It creates fears and suspicions in them, and consequently diminishes a preacher's influence. Eventually it leads to waverings about religion, and the whole is put off till a more convenient season.

3. It is calculated to make children infidels. They think if ministers are not good men—and it is perfectly natural to suppose they will think so, if they hear nothing but their faults conversed upon—why nobody is good—there is no such thing as good men. At length we may hear them speaking lies, or great swelling words about religion, and all religious people, denouncing them as "hypocrites," "deluded enthusiasts," "deceivers," &c. &c.

Under such circumstances as those which we have just mentioned, (not to say how churches are directly or indirectly injured by such a course,) how small the chance for a good man to do good. He has to encounter a host of prejudices in order to get to the hearts of men, where alone he can ever work to any good advantage. He is held off. He would do good, but seems forbidden. Thorns choke the work—He labors to little purpose with many, and with some his influence is for a time wholly lost. All this for the want of love and prudence in those who profess better things.

Now since we have taken it upon us to reprove this practice, we propose the following remedy. 1st. Love your minister "with a pure heart fervently." (Dont idolize him, nor flatter him.) 2. Pray for him. 3. If he is really faulty, hide his faults from others, and go to him, and affectionately tell him his faults "between thee and him alone," regarding his high and holy calling. Let him not be trampled upon. Let him have no occasion to think you have any other object in view, than his welfare and usefulness. If you succeed, be thankful that your object is gained. If you do not succeed, search the scriptures and see what they say farther in relation to your duty—and do it.

If you are still unsuccessful, then drop him—you can do no more—he is a bad man—he will not be "admonished as a brother." neither will he give up his errors. But we venture to say a word to the wise is sufficient. With such, we think, there will be no need of farther labor.