It is told of a preacher who kept a notebook on his desk labeled, “Complaints of members against other members.”

When one of his people called on him to tell him of the faults of another he would say, “Well here’s my complaint book. I’ll write down what you say, and you can sign it. Then when I have to take up the matter I shall know what I may expect you to testify to.”
The sight of the open book and the ready pen had its effect.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t sign anything like that!”
The consequence was, no entry was made.
The preacher said he kept the book for forty years, opened it probably a thousand times, and never wrote a line in it.
Would that we all kept such a book at hand, for I am sure we too would find complaints against others would not be forthcoming. Talebearers and busy bodies in other men’s matters are to be avoided.

From Things New and Old July 1941