Editor’s Table: An Epistle on Ethics

EDITOR'S TABLE. AN EPISTLE ON ETHICS. If it were in good form to project "don'ts" at the young men of the Church, I should head the list with what is a very important one: "Don't meddle with other people's business; mind your own."^ The "Mormon" creed: "Mind your own business," is a good motto for young people to adopt who wish to succeed, and who wish to make the best use of their time and lives. And when I say young people, it includes as well aged and middle aged men and women. Let it be remembered that nothing is quite so contemptible as idle gossip. Byron said a good thing when he put into the mouth of Don Juan these words: In fact there's nothing makes me so much grieve As that abominable tittle-tattle, Which is the cud eschewed by human cattle. How idle to go about whispering mysterious words here and there—words often without foundation in fact, but uttered with injurious intent, and perhaps with the idea of creating for the whisperer some imaginary respect, because of his supposed pos- session of special knowledge! But such action seldom bodes good, or sets upon the round of human lips sentiments of appre- ciation for the excellent, the beautiful, and the true, in a brother, neighbor, or friend. Such gossip and meddling constantly hold to view the defects of its subjects, and the scandals that are born fly as upon the wings of eagles. To be thus engaged is a positive injury, also, to the person so employed, because by constantly holding the defects of others in his own mind, he ruins his own ability to see and appreciate the virtues of his fellows, thus stifling his nobler self.

EDITOR'S TABLE. 389 It is so very much better for a person to strive to develop him- self by observing all the good points he can find in others, than to strangle the growth of his better self by cherishing a fault-finding, sullen and intermeddling spirit. The scriptures support this thought. The great Psalmist says in substance in the fifteenth psalm: "He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor, shall abide in the tabernacle of the Lord, and never be moved." To abide in the tabernacle of the Lord is to enjoy his Holy Spirit. Now, he that taketh up a reproach against his neighbor is in great danger of losing the Spirit of the Lord. "But my neighbor has done this, that, or the other that is forbidden by the law or the Church, or good usage, why should I not set him right?" says one. Let that one ask himself: "Is it my business?" The answer will suggest itself: If it is not my business, let me be wise enough to mind my own business. For "he that refraineth his lips is wise, and he that uttereth a slander is a fool"; and, further, the Lord declares through the Psalmist: "Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off." But with all these warnings, and with the constant drilling into our ears of the virtue of minding our own business which was early a characteristic of the "Mormon" people, and which is so yet, thank God—there are still persons among us who delight in meddling with others' affairs, setting forth idle tales about their neighbors, and seeking to create strife and turmoil among the people. They are loath to lead out to do anything themselves, but are constantly worrying about what others do, and how they do it. They are ever alert for the disagreeable, and seldom see good in anything, or behold virtue in the motive of anyone. Such a spirit should be avoided, and especially by young men and women, who should rather seek to cultivate magnanimous, charitable, and loving thoughts towards all. We meet in others just about the sentiments we entertain of them, and are paid in return with much the same coin that we circulate. Our duty, then, is to surround ourselves with an atmosphere of kindness and consideration for our fellows. Such a course will prove favorable to all that is best in us, and will produce a like effect upon all who come within the circle of our influence. It will, besides, and best