The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-07
Faithful in all Things.

In many respects there is Just now
great need that we should refresh our
memory of moral principles, anew define
them to our own consciences, and care
fully consider their applications. The
circumstances of the times, perhaps as
never before, tend to dim our perception
of them and tempt to their violation
We have therefore repeatedly sought to
call attention to some of the plain and
pointed teachings of the word of God in
regard to duties which there is special
danger at present lest some may forget
or set at nought. We desire in this ar
ticle to speak of another, viz, fidelity in
contracts of service, or of labor.
The man who engages to execute a
piece of work, or to render certain
service, for price, and is not competent
to perform the duties he undertakes, is
palpably guilty of an act of dishonesty
and dishonor. Men often need the
work and service of others, who are not
good judges of it when it is rendered.
Hence they are liable to be made the
victims of imposters and rOgues who pre-
tend to be able to perform the service re-
CURED. There always have been minis
ters of the gospel, lawyers, physicians,
teachers, mechanics-men in all profess
sions and occupations-who, though ut
terly unfit for the duties of their calling,
nevertheless undertake to discharge them.
Those who employ them oftentimes have
not the knowledge necessary to detect
their incompetency, and they 60 on re-
ceiving the wages of faithful service
They are no better than thieves, and steal
their employers money.
Evidently every one who fails by his
own fault to fulfil contract in the time
and manner promised, is guilty of dis
honest and dishonorable act. So also is
he if he is not diligent and punctual in
the business he has undertaken for an
other up to the full amount of his ability
or if he appropriates to himself the
time and property of his employer, or if
he wastes that time in idleness, or loses
that property through carelessness and
inattention. These statements are too
obvious to need argument or illustration.
And yet how common it is to disregard
them
There are not few, who, if they have
made bargain or entered into con-
tract which they discover afterwards will
not be profitable to themselves, do not
hesitate, if they can, to evade and violate
it. If no "papers' have been drawn
and signed, they break their agreement
short off and laugh at their obligations.
If they can dc no better, they seek by
their work, by substituting in
ferior materials, by the tricks of their
trade, by sly, cunning contrivances, to
pay themselves out of the pocket of the
other party. But how is this better than
to unlock his desk and to take his money!
In principle how does it differ from down
right stealing? The word of man of
true honesty and principle is as good as
his bond. And it is written that those
who shall at last dwell in the tabernacle
of the skies, are such as "swear to their
own hurt and change ot''-who do not
seek to evade their engagements because
they discover them to be disadvantageous
to themselves.
In every occupation there are arts and
methods by which those who understand
them can seem to comply with their con-
tracts while really they do not, but de-
ceive and wrong their employers for their
own advantage. But however common
such practices may be, however long and
prevalent, they are nothing
more nor less than stealing. And what
ever gains man may gather by them
will be but so much more weight of guilt
20 sink him in the depths of condemna-
ion.