The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-16
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

SUNDAY MEDITATION.
CThe International Sunday School Committee
having designated no lesson for Sept 70. we supply
the omission by the following sermon on Honesty,
recently preached near Boston. Mass.)
In St. PauPs Epstle to the Romans, Chapter
-, v. II, are these words: Provide things
honest in the sight of all men," Remember all
of the Apostles epistles were equally for US. We
should hence have an interest in his words as
though they were sent to US, to us in person,
and just fresh from Heaven. We are not so
different from the Romans that the text is not
applicable to our place and day. Indeed, all need
exhortatiOn in the matter of honesty. So we
find st. Paul, when writing to the Corinthians.
also led to call their attention to this subject as
follows: II pray to God that ye do no evil,
but that We do that which is honest" Every
epistle of the Apostle has something in this
same spirit. The matter of honesty even be-
comes in his opinion proper subject Of prayer.
We have reason to pray for ourselves and Tor
others that we may never violate the principles
of our holy religion by not being honest.
1t is the duty of the clergy to call attention
to this subject. Honesty is treated of in Gods
Word, which is the preachers text book. But
should a minister discourse on such subject
to COMMITMENTS of the Church? Yes, indeed.
st. Paul was writing to Christians, and felt
called on to tell Churchmen of Rome and Cor
inth they must take care TO be strictly honest
ruder age" Talk not thus in this day, wheE
so many defaulters and forgers and cheaters
are found to have been prominent members in
our churches, and leading men in our Christian
Associations. Then, pulpit instruction is not
for communicates alone. A large number of
hearers are not church members. We hardly
take up a newspaper without reading of swim
die, defalcation, forgery, crooked stock specu-
lation, financial Misrepresentation. Many of
the guilty parties are found to be either
members or attendants of churches. The ques-
tons rise, Is the pulpit faithful? Do preach
ers cry out repeatedly as they ought against
| these common sins?
Then the minister must discuss this subject,
since it forms so large part of Bible teaching.
God intended we should be in business relations
with each other, and it is curious how much OF
the Holy Scriptures is devoted to instructing
US in the rules of buying and selling and trans
| acting business. This, too, is splendid argu-
ment in favor Of New Testament teachings and
| an offset to dishonesty in communicates. Be
ii known to every man cheated by professed
Churchman that it is not the fault Of Christi
anity, not the fault of Church teaching, not a
part of normal Christian life; that it is directly
contrary to Gods Word; that the Bible warns
| against it. threatening it with punishment here
] and perdtion hereafter.
Almost all Churches have rules to goven their
members in moral conduct as it relates 10 pur.
chasing and selling. 1t is not supposed they
are beyond the need of instruction, exhortatou
| and warning. Surely then the preacher must
not keep still on these points.
The Friends (Quakersl have much stringency
in this matter, and it is no wonder they have
! become proverbial for honesty. Each member
| is obliged at every quarterly meeting to show
/ if his assets cover his liabilities. If his debts
exceed his possessions he is excluded till he can
prove his honesty by payment of all just claims
/ against him.
| The Episcopal Church Catechism covers all
this. when among other items of duty owed
by us to our neighbors, each child is taught To
| say. My duty is to learn and
| labor truly to get my own living"
| This matter is of interest to all, from the
| fat every one is more or less involved in bust
ness. We want honesty in all the relations Of
life. Mothers must teach their children and
instructors their pupils to be fair and square
| Warnings must be rung out everywhere. The
| world is in desperate need of light, alarm and
caution. And the pulpit must not decline tC
| handle this subject. The Church suffers too
much from dishonesty to warrant its guardian:
(the clergy in silence.
We generally understand what temptation!
beset men in money matters. If we prove true
we shall stand in society monuments of tho
power of our holy religion. A system tina
makes men honest commends itself to th'
world. Christians have grand chance in bust
ness relations to recommend religion. TheI
can often do more for it in this way than b.
sermons. or prayers, or exhOrtations. In thu
daily operations of business circles mems live
are more exposed than elsewhere. Such rela
tions bring them into contact with unbeliever
aud give them chance, in most effective way
to shine as bright lights. Be scrupulOusl,
honest. Take no advantage of employer o
hired help; pay wages fairly and in due time
seek the interest of others jointly with self
interest; do not grasp, Overreach, nor exagger
ate; settle all bills promptly; keep every en-
gagement to the moment; be reliable, indus
triOus, economical; grant financial favors in
pleasant way; decline unaccepted proposition
in gentlemanly manner; do all these dutie
and you will not need any trumpet to call at
! tentiOn OF society toward you. There are feI
men of this stamp in every town. They ar
like city on hill You cannot hide them
A man cannot do better service for Christian
ity than to show it makes him honest.
"Proride things honest" The word provid
will stand study. It means to think carefull
beforehand. To provide honestly then, re
quires forethought. We must remember W
are dealing in the sight of men, many OF whor
are not Christians; that there are right an
wrong methods of transacting business; tina
> honesty Is strong recommendation OF an
man; that Christians can furnish, in buyin
and selling fairly, invineible arguments i
favor OF religion. CHRISTIANS SnOuiu thlnk
these facts. They should examine beforehan
any proposed transaction and see what it's bear
ing may be on the cause of Christ. Think.
the trade right? viii the method cOmmen
Itself 10 men? What bearing will il have o
them as to their relations to Christ and tn
, church, Will 1t prejudice them in favor {
: piety? All this requires some reconciliation
We do not act separately. We deal before mel
, Wemust use providence or foresight in all mai
ters of business We do not act as buyers an
sellers only, but also as Christians.
, Things honest" What sort Of things ar
these2 Honest, in the original. means fail
handsome, goodly. There is something of tn
beautiful about strictly honest act. Behold
ers are pleased with it and are not slow to Mite