The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-06
WHY MEN ARE DISHONEST.
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT DIS
! ~ n,.ss,,p ~ REV. CHAs. II. STRONG.

-, Honesty and the Causes of
,a,ast~,, the Subject of His
,ou-Rights of Property Fol-
,r,,ounht and LabOr-ReligiOn
Alliance With Foolish So
Observation-Disclosures Is In
-, mr. Acquired Through Elk
.,,ononce. Politics and the way
condoned by Public Opinion.
,,l Honesty and the Causes of Dis
..-.st,r was the subject of the sermon
y, Rev. Charles H. Strong last night at
:, robn's Church. The sermon was on
trs Fighta Commandment.
Roy Mr.. Strong said that in speaking
.,, the commandment it would not be
~-.sssarv to dwell long upon the moral
,iebts of property He said he could I'M
s-rstapd that men destitute and discon-
ts,ted with their lot, ready to rebel
o-aipst vaat they regard as an unjust dis
.ri,,tion of this worlds goods, may rise
-. NTH theories in opposition to the rights
as they are recognized, but that there
can he no doubt that the rights of prop
er,v rest as the products of mems minds
or hands. He could conceive of the wild
moss of a native state in which there would
10 no proptrty rights, but that, after the
tboughts OF a man had mapped course
and the labor of his hands had perfected
il rights of property would begin and
This man would be entitled TO have and to
hold
communism Of goods, said Rev. Mr..
Strong. except where it is purely vofun-
tary. is not enjoIned in the Scriptures, and
our Christianity does not ally itself to any
of the foolish social theories of the day.
Here the not unusual assertion that the
honesty enjoined from the pulpit and that
practced in business and everyday life,
are altogether different and necessarily so
was touched upon by Mr.. Strong. He said
he wished to answer an unspoken thought
that he suspected TO be in the minds of
some of his hearers who would want to
know if allowance should not be made in
the honor preached from the pulpit for the
transactions of business and the friction
that results in daily intercourse. Two con-
sciences cannot exist the rector said, and
the week day character cannot be laid
aside on Sunday for the better and clean
er one religion demands
The causes of dishonesty were discussed
at some length the rector giving those
that suggested themselves to him as the
most usual. First he spoke of inherited dis
honesty saying he believed it possible for
the dishonesty of parents to be transmit
ted to children. The son of a thief has Of
ten 10 struggle against the dishonesty that
is innate within him. Then, too, the sense
of honor is so loose in some households
that children are taught to believe that
legal honesty is the best policy" mean
ing that all that is necessary is for them
to keep within the pale of the law, and that
then the shrewdness that is inculcated
may bear fruit as it may, with never a
jar to the conscience or a thought that
dnler a higher law that which they do is
not right The rector said he was sorry to
say it, but there are many things that the
law allows that religion condemns
hAuaFagance, in the sense of living be-
EoHu one means, was held up as another
cause OF dishonesty. This was given as
sppyhg to the young man who expends
all he makes for illicit purposes, thus
making 1t necessary for him to find other
tAah honest means to defray expenses he
mas to bear. The rector also deplored the
iot OF the young married man, who, anx-
ious 10 i've within his means, is distressed
una hampered by the extravaganza of his
we such a woman, he said can spend
on dress more in year than her husband
can make. Just for the sake of making
Bood appearance in society. or having
'ne members of his family do so. a man
may make greater expenditures than his
financial condition warrants. Tortured bv
tHe desire to maintain this position. and
soIroWful at the thought of seeing those
uedI 10 MN reduced to a place not so high
III Inc social scale, the best thing the rec
toI sald, for man to do is to go to his
WE and lay the whole case before her
Iheh, ne said, If she does not help, may
God pity him, for there is no one else
who can.
Folltlcal dishonesty was named as an
o'her of the causes. This dishonesty de-
ecehas from the highest to the lowest. and
leauer' praeucing schemes and plans
nat are not honest, is responsible for
, .lose below him in the campaign taking
,Hehl up and spreading and making more
hurtful the dishonesty. TP we are dis
.Io'ese IN little things we are dishonest in
nose of more Importance, and we cannot.
sIo rector said, have a kitchen where dis
:. e9'y may be practiced while the paror
a. NeP' cream. lie deplored the spectacle
~ eOre OF our Southern cities where the
80 Oiuzehs nave retired from politics or
10y participation in 1t, leaving the lowest
.Ielnehts to shape the course of affairs.
nus, nus, as 1t We're, giving license bv stand
,ns dloof to the political degradation to
t %''cn 'hese cities have sunk. 1t should
", " seen TO that youth is not corrupted. for
the weIare of the country depends upon
'"e integrity of its voters.
IuoAc opinion, in its lenient dealing
So ST. d certain class of offenders. said Mr..
H. o.is' Is OFTEN responsible. for dishonesty.
aie mentioned the manner in which So
Ny may open its arms to receive one
ubo tLae alter time, has defaulted hut
tior1 Sio"lhg rich, through his defalca-
an - YET able to hold his position when
sst, honest man with nothing but his hon.
nized. Inn "ou4a not be recog-
.na,, Tree and ready access that is given
or na ~ .i,esponsible positions to the cash
vi WI, hegotiabie papers of their ennloy YRS
caIs' I,eea as fertile source Of dishonesty.
beirr' men to borrow for specu.ation
tunas ,empted as they are by seeing for,
the so MADE IN short time. Then comes
jos, 5SSl loan" to win back what was
avn, lore until finally there comes the
1 ioi Jay Of discovery.
IL .e rector said he sometimes v,o,dor.
homes, not a better plan to preach on
Of MY rather than for the observance
for nv iortns and ceremonies of religio,
nrtHUaa