The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-29
Tho Bible and Business.

consider It very important TO have 1t dis
tinctly understood that the Blole IS perfect
rule of faith and practice.
No matter in what earnest calling man
may be engaged. The scriptures iufhish sun
cient instruction in the way OF honesty. An
Impression seems, however, 10 exist that when
we do things upon large scale IL IS iolly 10
attempt TO keep our proceedings within SCRIP
furol limits / have hundred times heard IL
directly or indirectly said that IN politics. In
war and in commerce 1t 10 impossible 10 pro-
coed in conformity with the scriptures
That is a virtual denial OF the suftclency OF
Gods Word. and n lie OF the same kind that
Satan told our first parents: God doth
know that We shall be rs gods" God doth
know that you cannot apply these oid-iosh-
toned rules to the modern and extended plans
of war commerce and the like Now the
same natural law that brings an apple from
the tree 10 the ground keeps the planets IN
their places. And 80 the same moral law that
binds the conscience and should regulate the
proceedings of the enormous money transac-
tons Of the Rothschllds.
In making plain the breaking of the Bible
upon business. the following truth may be
stated
/. The Bible does not forbid the acquiring
of wealth by honest means. To the Epheslans
whom Christianity reformed 1t was said: Let
him labor working with his hands the thing
that is rood. that he may have TO give to him
one of the marks Of Christian The Bible.
therefore. does not forbid honest trade. Nay,
ms honest and healthy trade is for the good OF
both parties IL rather encourages II, Tor IT re-
quires us TO do good to all rs we have
opportunity. And 1t is we'll worthy
noticing that trade fiourishes best in an
atmosphere filed with Bible truth. A
man ON the other side of the globe will
give an order involving half his fortune,
trusting TO the integrity ola British merchant.
This confidence IS one Of the hrst essentials
TO traffic and all the more fearful therefore IS
the loss of IT, and oil the moro criminal those
who iinpgrt il. But the scriptures 10y down
clear and explicit rules for the guidance of
trade "Ihou shalt not steal" is the emit barge
laid by the Bible on every fraudulent transac-
ton. And when the buyer declares 1T is
naught." and having seduced the less skillful
into bargain. stralghtway bOasteth of his
acuteness. the Bible comes in and declares.
Lie not one TO another" And when seller
or buyer would take an unfair advantage of
the ignorance or the want of his customer
the Bible comes and lays between them the
golden rule Whatsoever We would that men
do To YOU DO you even SO to them"
q The Bible does forbid uuduly valunc
money. The wealth to save which for an
heir the owner boarded putting away from
him many, generous emotion and many a
pressing claim. instead of blessing often curses
him who inherits IT. The Joy 1t is expected
to give the living is often never renped AS
he came so he goes empty and naked The
heather prince may have his wives and con
tribute 70 his Joys in the spirit world but re-
ligion banshes such deluson Sleep is often
ENJOYED III n smoky cabin and on board bed.
when it is wooed in vain TO the chambers of
the rich. The wealthy man is offered upon
plate daintles which We dare not eat while the
poor man eats his dinner of herbs with
gladness. Money cannot and does not give a
1.-THE Of the happiness II IS supposed to give.
Yet the great evil of our day Is the undue
value put upon money.
For money professions are chosen, children
are educated marriages are made Money
covers more sins than charity. man may
be iicentious "A svearer a sabbath breaker.
nav, even q drunkard or dishonest. but let
him be wealthy and he will DO generally re-
ceived and battered. Now this erroneous
estimate OF money the scriptures forbid
3. The Bible forbids the unduly eager pur-
suit of wealth That man whose tolls 60 80
near the dawning of tho sabbath that he is
unfit for the privileges OF the day in unduly
seeking wealth. Lot hlm reduce his business
or get another hand. His soul is being
starved TO I'LL his purse. The poor slOp-
worker in the garnet Is 50 Ill paid that food
and fuel arc ont of the question, because
the trade must get the largest price for the
smallest outlay. True. Tho trade is doing
it" and the trade" is not expected 20 have o
conscience: but In the haste to be rich tina,
poor, haggard woman and her thin faced chill
dren are suffering. The railway company can
make quarter per cent. OFF Sunday" trains.
True. porters engine drivers and car drivers
lose their sabbath. but the quarter per cent.
per annum is gained. Now all this the scrip.
lures forbid. There is "a sea or perditlou'
to which they vino will be rich" aro led by a
few steps like these u DO drowned. Rev
John Hall, ID. ID.