Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1840-04-23

l3-sSin is not imputed where there is no law /;
and RON. 3, 2O-By. the law is the knowledge
Of sim These four short sentences, or scrip
Itnre aphorsms, when connected together.
present view as clear as it is concise, of the
divine mind respecting the rule of moral duty
and moral responsibility TO man. These pas.
sages contain a brief statement of principles
which peryade the word of God; and, what is
exactly TO our purpose, they teach US the les
son, that sin is not to be sought for BY us in
contrariety 10 any abstract principles Of right
and wrong, nor in opposition 10 the public good,
but simply that il is "the transgresslon Of the
law that is, ofthe law Of God" Whatever
is contrary 10, his will, is sin; and whatever is
in accordance with his will, is right. Whether
he wills i; because it is right, or wheather it is
right because he wills il, is question Of little
consequence 10 those who admit thatNe is the
Author Of althings and the moral governor OF
lthepniyerse, His will is law, and whatever
Itransgresses that will, is sin. We are bound
TO strict adherence to the law of veracty,
because it is required by his will. If we search
his word 10 learn the moral character OF Je-
hovah, we find that he is "a God Of truth, just
and right. He keepeth truth forever. His
counsels Of old are faithfulness and truth
God is not a man that he should lie, neither
the son of man that he should repent. The
strength Of Israel will not lie. God is faithful.
He abideth faithful. II were impossible for
God to lie. With whom there is no variable
ness, neither shadow ofturning." II our NOR
al character is to resemble hiss five are to she
holy because he isholy," then faithfuIness and
truth are indispensable. Will that God who is
"of purer eyes than 10 behold evil, and cannot
look on iniquity," look with favor on the liar
and the covenant breaker? What says his
holy word? Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor." go, 16 This is
a general prohibition, which, like all the others
IN the decalogue, points out the highest crime
in that class of sins. yet includes all others of
a lower grade. "Lylng lips are an abomina-
ton TO the Lord. Keep thy tongue from evil,
and thy lips from speaking guile. All liars
shall have their part in the lake that burneth
with fire and birthstone, which is the second
DEATH" These are some of the scripture dec.
laratons against the violation of the law of
veraclty; and when we remember that he who
iorbids lalshood of every kind 'has power to
cast both soul and body into hell,n we ought
surely TO fear him. Here then is the reason
why am obliged to keep my word! God re.
Iqures it Of all his rational creatures, and
threatens violation with endless punishment
lfpromises be thus soemnly binding, it be-
comes matter of serious moment TO enquire
Secondty-ln what sense they are to be inter
lpreted. DR.. Paley's rule, which is adopted
also by DR.. Wayland, is this "Where The
terms promise admit Of more senses than one
the promise is to be performed in that sense in
which the promisor apprehended at the time
that the promisee received it," 1t would not dc
TO interpret promise in the sense in which
the promiser intended to fulfil it, because expec
Itatjons would be excited which we're never
ment to be satisfied; were this the rule, decep
tons without limit would be practised Mel
Their would 1t be just to make promise in all
cases binding as, either the promiser or prom.
isee alone understood it, forthisopens door for
frauds and evasons without end Ifthis were
the rule, no hard bargin on either side could
ever be made binding. Hence to avoid dis
Putes, and to establish uniform and equitable
rule, apromise is made binding in that sense in
which the promiser,knows the promsee under
stands 1t; IN other WORDS according to the in.
tentIon OF the promiser, as made known 10 the
promisee. Ii is to be fulfilled according to the
expectation which we knowingly and voluntar-
ly excite; because if we excite expectation
which we do not intend TO satisfy, and are
aware Of at the time, it is our dutyto correct
It; II we do not, we are bound TO fulfil our con-
tract according TO that expectation. For OK,
ample; little boy cries to 90 with his father
10 town; he promises If he will stay at home he
will bring him new hat, really intend
ing TO do it, but only aiming TO pacify the
child, But the child understands, it to be a
bona fide contract, and accordingly stays at
home. Now the father is bound to bring the
hat, Notwithstanding he did not intend TO doit
at the time, because.he knows the boy expects il,
fromthc manner in which the promise is made.
As this is animportant point, and one on which
numerous consequences depend, let me illus
trate il farther. A commander sends word 10
a garrison he Is beseigng, that if they will
not hair Of their heads shall be
hurt They take him al his word, and surren
der-when behold, he shuts them up and
staryes them to DEATH He keeps his word 10
the letter, for their hair Is not interrupted, and
is yet guilty Of the basest lalsehood; because
he knows they understand him TO mean thai
their lives and persons shall be protected, and
on that condition, surrender Again: A. prom
ises 10 .pays 10 B. one hundred dollars on a
certain day; B. understands that it is to be pune
tually paid, and makes his calculations accor-
dingly; but A. makes mental reservation.
that iEit IS convenient he will pay il then, and
if not, that he will make b. wait his own good
time. Now in what WaY IS this promise bin.