The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-21
THE POWER OF DECEPTION
DANGER OF FOLLOWING FALSE,
TREACHERoUs GUIDES.
Men Often Deceived By themselves
As Well As By others-Discourse
By Rev. A 4. Henry.

Rev. A. H. Henry spoke on Power OF
Deception" at the First Methodist church
yesterday morning, choosing for his text
Gal. vi, 7: BE not deceived" He said, in
part:
Men have learned by experience the
necessity Of guarding against deception in
many things. A beggar shows you his
rags and his sores and arOuseS your SYM
pathy, but if you trust merely to appear
ances you are liable to increase a rogue's
il-gOtten gains or to confer a reward for
dishonesty. When the appearance is Of
respectabllity and wealth it may yet hide
a world of vice. In paying homage to
Well-dreSsed responsibility the world has
MANI a time been deluded into hOnOring
merely the clever tailor. who. by his skill,
has transformed a rascal into a gentle
man.
Men are not only deceived by others,
but they are also deceived by themselves.
One of the most important elements of
human wisdom is contained in the ancient
maxim, Know myself" Who of us ever
attains it? 1 doubt if any OF US are as
eloquent, as witty, as aniable, as learned,
or as dull. uninterestinS and impotent as
we sometimes mink ourselves. We not
only deceive ourselves. but we are also
deceived by cur senses. The process Of
human education has been a process Of
correction, through comparison and judg-
ment, of the plalnest perceptions of the
senses.
reference TO the size, character or move
ment of the heavenly bodies, nor con-
corning the earth's relative position in
the universe. This element of deception
Is so universal that it has resulted in
endless confusion. 1t has created and per-
petuated parties in politics. sects in re-
llgion, and mas blurred many Of the ideals
that would otherwise have lien the
guides for progress. But there are Ger
tain things concerning which we cannot
afford to be deceived, and these God has
written in letters so plain that the way
faTlr- man. though fool, can read and
understand them. We cannot afford TO be
deceived concerning the value of life and
of time. How pitiIul to see the career of
that man WhO seems TO value the one as
a 'tr-fe light as air. and to waste the
other as Spendthrlft SQuanderS his
money. This life is the one opportunity
of an immortal soul to fit itself for eternal
happiness.
I'VE cannot afford to be deceived con-
corning the Importance Of right aims in
life. Many are pursuing certain disap-
I! poirtment in their blind search for pleas
ure in vice or solid enjoyment in the cul-
tivatiOn of selhshness.
Moths singing their wings at the flame,
/ butterflies drugged with poisoned sweets,
the hare attracted by a savOry bait to
the trap and the doomed traveller follow
ing the Will-O -the-WiSD light into deadly
swamps and quicksands, are SMILES of
those who have been deceived by their
low aims into following false and treach-
I'VE cannot afford to be deceived con-
corning the character and effect of sin.
Many are enticed by its destinations and
ueCe!Veu by us raise promises IL mas
nothing to offer but disappointment, ruin
and death. God has set his estimate upon
it in his word, for in the very center Of
the book of life and running all through
/ its pages is the sentence, The soul that
/ sinneth shall surely die.
I'VE cannot afford TO be deceived con-
| cerning the justice OF Gods claim upon
rs This claim is enforced by his love.
/ The father who loves his children and
, who knows the pitfalls that await them
! has the right to have his counsel re-
! specteG. We are not able TO guide wisely
our own lives; we are too shOrt-sighted
too easily deceived. But from the high
/ altitude of his wisdom. God san and will
/ guide his children Alright he sees the
/ end from the beginning. He knows our
! weakness and our need. He is interested
| in our true success. He has pledged his
/ loving guidance to those who will come
| to him. There is Unbounded peace, hap
?iness and security in q life Of confident
/ trust.