The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-03-31

avoided. There are many who, lik
the Israelites in the days of Amos tn
prophet, make the equal weight
small, and the skekel (pay) great. an,
falsify the balances by deceit Their
| are butchers who will dexterousl,
throw the meat on the scales and ado
to the weight by the pressure of tn
hand; there are merchants who viii
give short measure; there are farmer
whom 1t Is necessary to watch closely
and be careful to have the cord O
wood you are purchasing measured
and the INNER layers of wood exam
ined, lest they be defective and inferi
or; or who will sell you a diseased
horse or defective animal, and this
too, amongst a class of people wht
consider themselves ESPECIALLY HON
EST. There is also a system of deal
ing on some of our Boards of Trade
and amongst some of the commercial
men of our larger cities, which is fal
from being FULLY honest, and which
will ALWAYS result in entailing loss
on outsiders who are so unfortunate
as to be drawn into speculation, and
yet We find nowhere higher specimens
of honesty and integrity than amongst
the commercial men of our large cities
Young men are especially exposed to
temptation. They frequently fall into
habits of life which make more money
necessary than their salaries supply,
and there are many excuses in their
minds for laying hold upon the means
OF their employers. Some instances
of this kind, amongst quite young
persons, have resulted in fixing a
stigma upon them from which they
scarcely ever recover, and there are
some who have so far overcome them
as to rise to prominent positions, who
are never met by old acquaintance
without the suggestion of some of
their transactions coming up in the
mind. Young men should be espe-
cially careful to lay the foundation of
GOOD name by strict honesty, and
bear In mind that contrary course is
not only injurious to them, but is a
sin in the sight of God. Drummers
and commercial agents who are tray
cling over the country, are especially
subject to the formation Of evil habits,
(the restraints of home influence be-
ing withdrawn), and are often by
these habits led to dishonesty. The
prisons of our country contain many
such young men, who really intended
at the beginning no evil, but who
gradually fell into it. He who COM
mits dishonest act, however small,
lmpairs his own power of resistance,
lessons his own self respect, and takes
downward step in life.
Public officers seem to be specially
liable to dishonesty. A system of
Jobs" in public improvements and
various other means prevail, by which
the funds belonging to the people are
transferred to the pockets of dishon-
est officials While there are many
worthy and correct public officers
and we may be too indiscriminate in
our censure, and do great injustice to
upright men-there is far too mucl,
ground for the strict accountability
which is being brought to bear at the
present time. The prevalence of
sound Christian views on this question
is the only remedy for the evils of the
hour. Some excuse themselves for
their various acts of dishonesty by
saying, Il must provide for my fam
ily." So says the thief-so says ev-
cry class of rogues. Our first duty is
to DO RIGHT, and no reason should in
duce us to swerve from the path of rec
titude and honor Seek FIRST the
kingdom of God aud his righteous
ness. and all these things shall be
added unto YOU"
I'd. Truthfulness. Deceive not
with thy lips" WHO shall dwell
in the holy hill? He that speaketh
the truth" Can a man be truthful
and succeed in business? Certainly
You should not only tell the truth
but there should be no concealment.
Tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth" In the sale
of real estate or goods and merchan-
die there can be no disadvantage
from correct, truthful representa-
ton. In the end it is much better in
an outward point of view as well as
being our duty to God and man.
3d. Candor. A frank, open, in
genuous course is always the best.
The prophet Hosea says: He is a
merchandise balance of deceit are
in his hands," The Orientals are
proverbial for their hypocrisy and de-
ceit, and it is a growing evil amongst
business men in our land. Would not
the business of a candid man. who can
be strictly relied upon, be likely to
increase? Are not such the most
prosperous? Let every young man
cultivate the habit. 1t has an impor-
tant influence on his own habits Of
life. and tends to elevate him in every
respect.
4th. Punctuality. 1.-The door was
shut to those who came too late to
the marriage feast. The habit of fail
ing PROMPTLY to meet our appoint
ments does wrong to those with
whom the engagement was made. So
with the prompt payment OF debts.
How much suffering is caused by fail
ure in this respect. The whole bust
ness of the community depends large
ly upon PROMPTITUDE. Many fail to
pay debts and thus bring suffering and
loss upon those they owe, because it
would require some sacrifice, and
cause them to dispose of an article at
less than its supposed value. 1t is far
better tomeet the loss manfully, and
preserve the sense of having done
your duty by complying with your en-
gagement. Be careful about making
contracts but prompt in fulfilling
them, and if any providential circum-
stance renders that impossible, take
measures sEAsONABLY to arrange the
matter to the satisfaction Of the party
10 whom you are under obligations.
Let the motto OF every young man be
''punctuality.
9Th. Courtesy "Be courteous"
says the Apostle. This is Christian
duty as we'll as an outward accom-
plishmcnt. Christianity softens the
heart and causes us to regard the
rights of others. There should be no
morose and sullen Christianity.
Young men especially should culti-