Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-02-02
The Bible and Business.

! consider it very important to have
it distinctly understood that the BIZ
BILE is perfect rule Of faith and prac-
tice.
No matter in what honest calling a
man may be engaged, the Scriptures
furnish sufficient instruction in the
way of honesty. An impression
seems, however, to exist, that when
we do things upon large scale, it is
folly to attempt to keep our proceed
ings without scriptural limits. | have
a hundred times heard it directly or
indirectly said that in politics, in
war, and in commerce, it is impossi-
be to proceed in conformity with the
Scriptures.
That is a virtual denial of the suf-
ficiency of Gods word, and q lie of
the same kind that Satan told our first
parents. God doth know that We
shall be as gods;" "God doth know
that we cannot apply these old-fash-
Toned rules to the modern and extern
ded plans of war, commerce, and the
like" Now, the same natural law
that brings an apple from the tree to
the ground keeps the planets in their
places. And the same moral law that
binds the conscience, and should
regulate the proceeds of the small
shop keeper, should govern the enor-
nous money transactions of the
Rothschilds.
In making plain the bearing of the
Bible upon business, the following
truths may he stated:
!. The Bible does not forbid the &C.
quiring of wealth by honest means
To the Ephesians, whom Christianity
had reformed, it was said, "Let him
labor, working with his hands the
thing that is good, that he may have
to give to him that needeth." "No,
slothful in business" is one of thu
marks of a Christian. The Bible
therefore, does not forbid homes
trade. Nay, as honest and healthy
trade is for the good of both parties
it rather encourages it; for it require
us to do good to all as we have oppor
tunity. And it is well worth motto
ing that trade flourishes best in an at
mOsphere filled with the Bible truth
A man on the other side of the glob
will give an order involving half hi
fortune, trusting to the integrity Q
the British merchant. This "conf
dence" is one of the first essentials t
traffic, and all the more fearful, there
fore is the loss of it, and all the NOR
criminal those who impair it. Blu
the Scriptures lay down clear and e>
plicit rules for guidance of trade
'Thou shalt not steal" is the embal
go laid by the Bible on frauduler
transactions. And when the buye
declares, ut is naught, it is naught,
and having seduced the less skilfl
into bargain, straightway boastet
Of his acuteness, the Bible comes
and declares, "Lie not one to anotl
err" And when seller or buyer woul
take an unfair advantage of the igno
ance or the want of his customer, Il
Bible comes and lays between thel
the golden rule, Whatsoever \
would that men should do to you, {
We even so to them"
.. The Bible does forbid undu
valuing money, The wealth, to sa,
which for an heir the owner hoarde
putting away from him many a ge
erous emotion and many a pressir
claim, instead of blessing, often ours
him who inherits it. The joy it
expected to give the living is oft,
never reaped' AS he came, so
goes-empty and naked. The heat
en- prince may have his wives and /
horses sacrificed on his tomb, to co
tribute to his joys in the spirit worl
but religion banishes such a delusio
Sleep often is enjoyed in smol
cabin and on hard bed, when it
wooed in vain to the chambers of t
rich. The wealthy man is offer
upon plate dainties which he dare n
eat, while the poor "cottar" eats !