This sage advice comes from Charles Simeon, the great 19th century Anglican evangelical:
1st – To hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others.
2nd – To believe nothing of the kind till I am absolutely forced to it.
3rd – Never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report.
4th - Always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed towards others.
5th – Always to believe, that if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter.
From Hugh Evan Hopkins, Charles Simeon of Cambridge (Eerdmans, 1977), p. 134.
I think the first point should read “to hear” not “to here”.
Good stuff.
Comment by Tony Gulbrandsen — October 26, 2009 @ 8:18 am
It has been changed. Thanks, Tony.
Comment by Nathan Finn — October 26, 2009 @ 8:31 am
That sure resonates with Psalm 1.
Comment by Bob Cleveland — October 26, 2009 @ 10:11 am
Words to remember.
Comment by Dave Miller — October 26, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
[...] ill of others Posted on October 28, 2009 by bkingr Nathan Finn posted some great advice from Charles Simeon regarding what to do when hearing someone tell you a bad [...]
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