Mind Your Own Business

The devices of Satan are on many occasions of the most ingenious character, and come upon us with a delicacy and refinement that mark emphatically

"From what a height the tempter fell."

For instance, an individual naturally gifted with more than usual abhorence [abhorrence] of evil, becomes convinced of the principles of eternal truth, and obeys the gospel. Perhaps after revelling [reveling], as it were, for a season in the light of the glorious principles of truth, he becomes exceedingly jealous of the conduct and character of his brethren and sisters in the church, lest by some false step or other a stigma may be brought upon the cause which he has espoused; consequently he sets himself on the watch to detect the failings of others, deeming that he is doing God service in being so employed, and thus he is decoyed into the occupation of the great spirit of evil, to be the accuser of the brethren. And during the time thus occupied by him, he considers himself actuated by the purest of motives, arising from a detestation of sin; and so undoubtedly would it prove, were the ground of his actions good, were he appointed of the Lord by the authority of the holy priesthood so to act, he would be in the path of duty, but when any one presumes, (not having authority) to sit as a censor and a judge of the people of God, he will find himself in the seat of Satan, assuming authorities that are not legitimately his. Again, persons are sometimes troubled with the voice of slander; they have been evil spoken of-it is too bad-it ought not to be-they think it their duty to bring forward their case for the investigation of the council-the cause of truth demands it-the welfare of the work of the Lord-all things call upon them to have the matter settled satisfactorily by those who have the power to do so. We would not say in every case such a proceeding is not necessary, but we would that in very few cases it is so.

How much more noble it would be for the person thus injured, knowing the accusations to be false, to suffer the injury, being conscious that all things, good or evil, will work to their own level, and ultimately manifest themselves in their true colors, rather than introduce the subject to a multitude whose various feelings or prejudices may excite opposition and give to the adversary a manifold opportunity of working mischief.-[N. Y. Messenger.

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