The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-01-14
How DIR. Henson Hit the Conscience

A Chicago business man has been
telling one Of the daily newspapers
how DR.. P. s. Henson used to get
hold of the consciences of his hear
ers when he was pastor of the First
Baptist Church. "The business man
and employe who were members of
his church," he says, might do their
necessary cheating on week days, but
their pastor saw to it that they did
1t with their eyes open. At least
they knew they were taking advan-
tage of the people they dealt with.
''It was about that time I suffered
a severe loss by fire in the destruc-
ton of warehouse. When it came
to settling, the insurance agent who
had placed my policy deliberately did
me up, as the saying goes, and, al
though he tried to be as plausible as
he could about it, l told him my
plain poinion of him. l told him
plain opinion of him. 1 told him
The terms of my contract were plain.
The loss was indisputable. Yet the
sum he paid was insignificant. OF
course l could go to law; but who
wants to go to law except lunatic?
Three years later l received a
note from him asking an appoint
ment. Imagine my surprise, when
on seeing him, he handed me check
which righted my former loss.
What's the matter with you?"
asked him.
Why he replied, 4 heard SER
mon yesterday by DR.. Henson on
honesty in business. 1t convinced
me. I'm trying to repair my sins and
your case was one of them. That
sermon will cost me $4,000 in con-
science money. It's my own money,
not the company's. It's a sin offer
ing to God on my part. and with
Gods help TIL try to be honest as
can in the future
''Some more years rolled by, and
my friend seemed to prosper better
than ever. l met him one night and
| asked him how things were going
with him.
Fine he replied. DO you re-
member that sermon that converted
me years ago? Well, that sermon
was the best stroke of business ever
did. 1 believe you placed some more
insurance with me after I paid that
conscience money, didn't your
Yes, did. You deserved it.
well, hundreds of others did the
same. 1 got the reputation of being
as square as a die, and was.
made right settlements. I was hon
est. I did as 7 would be done by;
any my business more than doubled
itself in year. When I was con.
verified 1 made up my mind I was go.
ing to lose money by it, but you see
/ was mistaken. I'm a happy mar
to-day. I'm honest and I can fee
that my children's money will be
honest; and if there is a hell I an
not afraid of it,
1.-THE case of the insurance agen
was typical, believe, of much of DR.
Henson's work. He never catered t.
his congregation. He walloped them
Don't think for a minute he use(
to say, that you can save your sou
by saying to yourself that the thew
ing you practice is excused by bust
ness methods. If your business
methods demand that you cheat you
neighbor, drop them and make new
ones that don't. Little by little yol
lay up great crimes under the cove
of business. A little to-day, a littl
tomorrow, and in few years
amounts to a food of sin in whicl
you will drown as sure as God reigns
The time will come when you vii
curse the day you were born, an
when you will find it impossible t
restore to those whom you have rob
bed. You may give your wealt
away, you may build churches wit
it, you may expend it in charity, Blu
your conscience will whip you lik
a fury and you can't get away. Ho7
can you go to bed at night and slice
-sleep-with hell yawning open o
your left hand and God calling o
your right?'
"Dr. Henson addressed himse
with equal vigor to the young me
who were employed in minor pos
tons. He made many of them S
up straight and lead better lives.''-
Christian Observer.