Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-02
truth.
BY Rev. }. J. DonIaH.

s7---
yRUTH.
by Rev. }. J. DonIaH.
Wherefore, putting away lying,
speak We the -Ephesians, 4:25.
The great utility, nay, the absolute
necessity, of bestowing serious atten-
tor On the vice of lying is pretty pos
idvely settled among Christians, for
veracity is generally considered not
only religious but also social virtue,
From a religious standpoint the vir-
tue of truth was infused by the Gre
ator when he made man TO his i'm
age and likeness while as a social
! cony ention the race demands the prac-
| tice of it for the conservatism of so
cicty.
Since truth is inherent in human M
ture, it speaks ioudest in Us when as
children we speak as we feel and
think. 1t is natural for the child to
! tell the whole truth, irrespective of con.
| sequences; to act and speak just as
! he feels and thinks With this idea
| of childhood before us, we can better
understand the emphasis of Christ In
| his adinonition, Unless We become as
little children We cannot enter into the
KINGDOM of heaven" II ether words,
unless We become truthful in speech
al simple in action as children We
cannot expect salvation.
Holy writ says clearly, "every man
is liar" Why, then, is lying sinful?
! 10 NrH h0t 81
| liar? | presume it is because a liar
acts contrary TO God-glven powers.
! When a man becomes a. glutton he is
/ guilty of sin. for he injuries the nat
! ural powers he possesses; so, too,
! liar is despicable, since he abuses the
innate gift of truth Moreover, in the
creative act the Makers image was
/ impressed on our immortal spirit. Our
intelligence was essentially fashioned
to correspond with the absolute intel
igence which is divine truth persona
6ed; hence if we would be as perfect
as our Heavenly Father we must con-
| form to that image impressed on our
souls, remembering ever that the
mouth that beleth killeth the soul"
Besides being opposed to our nat-
ural powers, lying is also opposed to
the positive law of God, which de
! clares Thou shalt not bear false wit
ness against thy neighbour" and for
those who disobey this command the
Holy Scriptures hold dire punishment
in threat. "A thief is better than a
man that is always lying, but both
of them shall inherit distinctions" and
again with whoremongers, idolaters,
murderers. and unbelicvers are classed
liars. all of whom are to have their
portion in the lake burning with IRE
and birthstone"
For the sin of lying the leprosy of
| Naaman came upon GieZi and his pos
terity, while Ananlas and Saphira were
punished with instant death for a
slight deception.
Our rule of life in dealing with our
fellow men is clearly stated in the
words of Christ: All things what
soever you would that men should do
unto you, do you also to them" This
implies that we should deal honestly
with one another, putting away all
hypocrisy, all detraction. all scandal
scattering. In word. fraternal love,
which is based on truth, should be the
link that binds the world together.
Hence, nothing can justify the slight
est deviation from truth, not even to at
tain the best possible goou for our
selves or our neighbors. We may at
times imagine that the good of our
neighbors should excuse us in a de-
liberate lie. but if we call TO mind that
love of neighbor is subordinate to our
love of God we shall see at once that
in deviating from truth we are DRIFT
ing from him who is absolute truth.
And as, by duplicity and lying, God
is offended and good faith and truth,
the closest links of human society.
are dissolved. SO, too, honesty and
truthfulness unite Us TO the Creator
and bring honor and esteem to us from
our fellow men. IN honest mans
word is as good as his bond" for
neither deceiying nor disseminating
men like to do business with him,
and thus his truthfulness h,lps his
| uO1OF, his HeSulldtlOllS anu MS pros
perity.
He reflects Gods likeness in his
soul, for he walks without blemish
and works justice: be speaks the truth
in his heart and has not deceit in his
tongue" and for this he shall dwell
in the tabernacle of the Lord and shall
rest on his holy mountain. Let us
bear in mind, then. that Liars are of
their father the devil who
stood not in the truth because the truth
was not in him for he is q
liar and the father thereof" and let us
follow after Christ, who said, Let
your speech be yea, yea. and nay, nay"
striving always to bear in mind that
Lying lips are an abomination to the
Lord, but they that deal faithfully
please him"
THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE
BY Rev. T.. DuckEorfh.
Solomon declares that the essential
requisite to wise house furnishing is
knowledge. in the building and fur
nishing OF a house he names three
things as necessary. and these are wis
dom. understanding and knowledge.