The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-07-23
"PAY THAT WHICH
THOU HAST VOWED"
Sermon by Rev. G.. l.. Pearson
at Methodist Church
Yesterday.

Rev. O.. l.. Pearson OF the Methodist
Episcopal church. preached on Vows
and vowing" last evening His text
was Pay that which thou hast vowed,
Eccle. va lie said in part:
Truth Is natural right of man.
Every man Is under moral obligation
To tell the truth and fulfil his promises.
if no dependence could be placed on
mans word every interest of our earth
~ nfe would be imperilled and all inter-
ests would suffer beyond calculation.
A large part OF human knowledge is
derived from the testimony of others.
Most OF the faith that sustains the en-
terprises OF life is faith In the truthful
ness OF what Is told us and belief in the
fulfillment of the promises that are
made. Truth Is surely essential to the
attainment and security of life's ends.
The liar Is n detestable character any
where and always. Lying Is a great sin.
A lie Is never justihable Some who
detest the liar and who would not lie
are yet so careless regarding their
word as TO break their promises which
often results In practically the same
evils as deliberate falsehoOd. both in
It's effects upoE the character OF the
one promising and in the evil which
/ may come TO the one who believed.
/ Great care should be exercised In the
making Of our promises. None should be
made without good reasons. Too many
promises are hastily and indiferently
made. Promises should be most scru-
pulously fulfilled. Men should make
their word good both because of the
good effect OF so doing upon their char.
acterS and OF the interest OF those who
have acted upon the promise. Every
man should hold himself rigidly to this
rule and youths should be carefully
disciplined In Its observance. Better
that thou shouldest not vow, than thot
shouidest vow and not pay"
There IL but one exception TO this oh
legation and that is In the case OF baC
promise which is better broken thar
kept. In such the evil II In the promis,
and not In violating IL. There Is M
virtue In doing evil. there is virtue IL
, honorably declining To keep n bad vow
Shakespeare agrees with Scripture Ii
these lines:
1T Is n great sin To- swear unto a sill
Hut greater sin TO keep n sinful oath.
The moral effect OF Carelessncss II
the keeping of ones vows can not b
. over estimated. 10 deadens conscience
, weakens respect for the claims of mora
, obligation, dulls the perception OF trut
4 and justice, undermines character an
leads Indifference TO the great interest
Of life. The payment OF promises is no
OF convenience DuI OF duty
Mary. Queen Of Scots. when reminded @
!, her promise OF liberation said promise
!, ought not TO be urged upon princes un
= less they can conveniently MI them.
!, Many so reason today. but the mora
= obligation II not 30 filed.
Vows made TO God and the churc
should be held most sacredly. Thes
: promises are held very lightly by man,
I. Though forgotten or discarded vet the
y remain written against us. Time do,
= not annul their validity. God calls uT
y on us TO pay them. He awaits our r,
Spouse. Let the church pay her vow
and the kingdom Of God will soon I
: extended DER all the earth.
There are but few men. III any. WI
= leave not vowed unto God. In times
y danger. or trial, temptation or sickness
I" In days OF special conviction from &C
, when sin has been noted and the q,
* sirablencss OF salvation appreciate
:. men have vowed TO be true to convi
ton. To- reform their characters. to lo-
x and serve God. Some have promis.
~ dying loved ones TO prepare to me
u them I'm glory and have not kept Il
" vow.
~ Pay your religious vows God a
40 mands a. You cannot afford to III
u without the blessedness of the fulfil
Of ment Of such vows. You cannot affo
~ Co stand before Gods judgment thro
10 with the broken promises upon you
n Good promises unkept denote a car
~ less and unworthy character. Let
W be exact with man and with God. L
u us prove our worthiness by fidelity
~ our vows
Va