American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-10-16
NORGANTOWA MOuONGALA co VA FRIDAY OCTOBER Is 1857

OItcn " Wnat nc WOuid nc GOES not, but
what he hates that he does and when
lie would do good evil is present with
him." 1t is owing to this compound
character of the Christian that he needs
to be fortified with all the warnings
which the Scriptures give. The word
of God, in all its moral teachings, pro-
ceeds upon the ground of the possibil-
ity of Christians SHINING, and if they
would avoid it they must resist it, in
all its forms and in every degree.
Are there not some sins which Chris
tians stand in greater danger of com.
mitting than others Z If this be the
case, they need to be put upon their
guard that they may avoid such sins.
In the above injunction we are warned
against lying Why SO particular in
specifying this sin? Is it not because
of the great liability to this sin above
almost any other 2 Now what gives to
this sin so great prominence is, that
there are SO many ways in which it
can be committed. Most other sins
must be committed directly, and in but
one way or not at all, but who can num-
Der all the different ways in which lie
may be perpctratcd? We have exag-
geration, which is to go beyond the
truth in giving an account of matter.
How much is done at this We have
Iprovarication, o shufEling to escape the
truth In some cases part of what is
said in a description of a thing, or in a
transaction, is true but thereis super
added what is not true, and the whole
is rendered false; or something is with
held for the same purpose, and the eff
feet Is the samc, false impression is
made. 1t was true that Sarah was A.
braham's sister, but at the same time
it was false that she was not his wife.
1t would seem that many treat their
word with great Indifference. Thoy
will make promises, & pay little or no
attention to the performance of them,
and excuse themselves by some frivo-
lous reason or another. They do not
think for moment that their word
binds them to the doing Of what they
have promised. How often do men lie
when their Interest can be promoted
by so doing! They have entered into
business transaction, and have gone
so tar as to separate, both believing at
the time that the matter vas fixed, and
would be carried out as expressed and
understood; but when one of the par
ties finds he will iriure himself in his
interest by adhering to his promise, he
takes advantage in some way or other,
so as not to comply. Now is he not
justly chargeablc with lying? His in
terest in the matter may varnish it SO
as to hide the lie from his view, but his
ncighbor sees the black monster in full
size. .l...... .0.u. .
This sin may become so common as
to be committed without thought
Ministers, above all other men, should
guard against the semblancc of lie !,
but what shall we think when Minis
ter makes an appointment to preach at
given time, and does not arrive until
a future time ? what sha! VIC call this?
Is 1t an innocent falsehood? This ha.
bit OF SHINING, like all others, is capa,
bic OF growing. If we allow ourselves
to begin We can attain to an emincnce
in it. In view of our liability to this,
as well os other sins, let us not be a.
shamcd to pray, with David, Remove
from me the way of lying" ..
n LOVER OF TRYTH.
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