The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-01-16

is the moral obligation, the higher motive
which is the essence Of christian principle
and makes the right in every way more
desirable than the wrong, even if held to
at the cost of worldly advantage. But lay
ing aside the higher motive of moral obli-
cation and reasoning alone from the selfish
one Of the effects upon the individual,
"honesty is the best policy" Many persons
who are not christians have yet some
pride Of character and sensitiveness 10 the
appreciation Of the community, but do not
foresee the effects Of moderate indulgence
in dishonest thought and practice. The
degradation Of soul, the certain crowding
out of virtuous qualities by secretly enter
tanning vicious ones, will gradually under
mine the character so that it cannot by par
tial or subsequent reformation be again as
symmetrical and solid as though the founda-
tions had never crumbled. So, on the
ground of worldly wisdom alone, "honesty
is the best policy"
Greed, avarice, covetousness, the desire
to possess and not to pay, to reap the har-
vest of industry without any labor Of SOW.
ing or tilling; the passion for ease and lux.
ury which the purse and income do not
justify, If once INDUCED grows until 1t out
grows prudence, over-steps its own cum
ming and defeats its own sagacity. From
their own point of view it surely cannot
seem 10 pay. What discomforts result
from the retributions Of dishonesty. How
it costs all around to be only occasionally
detected in crime. What make-shifts of
lying and false-swearing to conceal misde-
meanors and minor offenses against the
law. What miseries of disgrace are suffer.
ed by relationship TO criminals. Who is
there so isolated in kindred that they can
dare to triae with honor, if they consider
the wretchedness they take in tow In such
launching outS The father or mother
who thus inhicts the stimga of a tarnished
name upon children deserves to be separ-
ated from them ever after.
And then this teaching, of which there
is so much, that dishonesty cannot be help
ed or repressed; that it is inherent and
there is no avoiding it, and no responsible
ty for 1t, is course of reasoning mischiev-
GUS and false, and encourages crime. If
the parent is dishonest and the children
know II, and are ordinarily intelligent, they
can see where the weak point is in their
family tendencies; and If they trife with
the inflrmity, and think they can be little
crooked or moderately dishonest. just
enough TO increase their momentum in
getting on in the world" but be a good
deal sharper about it than their father or
mother has been, they will deceive them
selves, and sooner or later bring up in the
same boat, just as totally moral wrecks
even if their regulations should chance TO
escape Notifying disaster The only safe
ty lies in first getting rid of any excuses
for themselves on account Of the example
or teaching or transmitted moral taint Of
the parents; to understand that the intelli.
gence that gives shrewdness, and tact
enough to be skillful in concealing meth
DDS and motives, implies full capability to
recognize and discriminate between right
and wrong. Therefore their moral respon.
sibility is not 10 be evaded or shaken off.
Then, to counteract the influence Of bad |
training, or Of vicious inherited tendencies
there must be determined endeavor TO |
be thoroughly candid and honest in little
things. 0penness of conduct, avoiding
even the appearance of evil, will assist in
cultivating sincerity of character and in
tegrity OF purpose.
1t is better that frankness be 50 positive
as to expose one sometimes to imposi.
tion than to allow the habit to grow Of be
ing sly, deceptive and treacherous. No
man is much Of man, or any woman
worthy the name she bears, until each
hates concealments that have no virtue,
and abhors such worldly advancement or
profit as must be purchased at the price of
integrity and moral purity. n N IL
kG-st'F NJ