Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-01-26
Sbspbsrostuwu Register.
~An Honest Man II the Noblest
Work Of God"

can Honest Man IL the N0blest
Work Of God"
The most important mission OF the
Press, as public educator, is the incul-
cation of a high standard Of honesty;
therefore we claim the indulgence and
ask the careful reading of our structures
on this subject, for We desire to treat it
in the broadest literal sense. There
have been but few periods Of time COW
ering the entire history of man, when
honesty of motive and practice among
men was more'completely ignored than
al the present day. Commencing with
Christ's missionaries or representatives,
as the ministers of the church militant
claim to be, and as administrators and
teachers of His pure laws, we find many
Of them guilty of improper practices,
and through ingenious speech hide hon
est truth with its wraih from the evil
doer.
The high places on earth among men
are now obtained by the most fragrant
dishonest practices, AID human obeis-
ance is paid to those occupying them,
thereby complimenting it, which is a
highly reprehensible pandering to dis
honesty with these high and illustrious
examples before them the mass of man
kind ease their conscieuces to the per-
petration of all classes of dishonest prac-
tices, few of which,, and among the
most common-in plain English-are
stealing, directly or indirectly, under
surreptitious laws, bold and premedita-
ted cheating, studied, wilful and ingeni-
Gus lying. These dishonest practices
when INDUCED in debase character, de-
stroy confidence among individuals, and
often bring about the heart-sickering
results so pointedly said by Burns, that
"Man's inhumani.y to man
Makes countless thousands MOURN"
Who are those who contribute most
to cultivate these reprehensible practi-
ces among men9 We answer they are
those who withhold truth and justice,
those who most clearly understand and
know the right, but from selfish motives
will neither advocate nor pursue it.
"Owe no man anything" This in
junction doubtless means that you shall
not owe him malice, hatred nor ill-will,
and that you shall render unto your fell
low man all that is due him, not only in
dollars and cents, but the comities of
good fellowship, the civilities common
to well regulated society, and true Chris
tian duties.
Honesty prevents man from doing
a wrong act, he will not steal directly
nor Indirectly, he will not cheat or con-
nive at it, he will not lie positively or
by implication, he vii! not bear false
witness, or obtain by prevarication or
dubious statements the confidence or
property of his fellow, nor make prom
Use with perfect knowledge of his ina
bility to fulfil it; he will not give advice
for gain, when he knows his advice if
followed will lead TO wrong and injus-
tice. Christ commanded his disciples
to "ook ye out from among you seven
men of honest report" "Provide things
honest in the sight of all men,"
Honesty should claim our respect and
practice, because it is that virtue which
like the rare diamond sheds its brilliant
rays OF all around, and is the highest
and most embellisbiDg trait OF the hui
man character; ii adorns the Christian
man or woman, it imparts dignity to
the statesman, it adds attraction to all
mankind, it elevates the individual and
barmonizes society, strengthens conf
dence, sustains justice, ennobles our ma
lures, gives purity to our actions, and
truthfulpess to our utterances.
With honest purposes and motives
smblazoned upon our banner, we can
march forth to the battle Of life, cheer
ed with the smile of Divine approba-
ton, and strengthened in the rec,itude
of our actions, counting the scrutiny and
criticism of our fellow citizens. Man,
thus, would fully exemplify his superb
ority over all other animal creation. and
reflect the greatness and purity Of his
Creator, in whose image he is declared
to be made.
p6- There arc three vacancies in this
State for cadet midshipmen at the Ma