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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther: cure in secret parts. Just so governments, father and mother, brothers
and sisters, and other good friends, are under obligation to each other
to reprove evil wherever it is needful and profitable.
But the true way in this matter would be to observe the order
according to the Gospel, Matt. 18, 15, where Christ says: If thy
brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between
thee and him alone. Here you have a precious and excellent teaching for
governing well the tongue, which is to be carefully observed against
this detestable misuse. Let this, then, be your rule, that you do not
too readily spread evil concerning your neighbor and slander him to
others, but admonish him privately that he may amend [his life].
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