The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-05-22
Sunday School Notes
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils.
Edited by cHAs. K. MEYERS.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


May 26-Truthfulness. Matt 5, 33
81; James 3, 1-12; 5, IL.
1t is highly to be commended tina
the gentlemen who have laid out the
lesson course at this time have seer
fl to combine the words of Jesus anC
those of the apostles treating on the
same subject. What Peter, James
John and Paul have said, explain an6
make more forceful the great truths
under consideration.
In one part of the sermon on the
mount Jesus gives us instruction as tc
christians manner of conversation
He says there should be no oaths
calling on God or any other person OF
thing of supposed power or held in
reverence, but the simple statement
of fact. Ones reputation for truth
and uprightness should be such that
nothing more is needed than his word
All know that the man who is con
stantly Gaming on God to witness that
he speaks the truth, is disgusting tc
hear talk, he means nothing by it, and
but makes common the name of the
divine father in heaven. One of the
ten commandments teaches that we
must not take the name of the Lord
our God in vain. The teachings OF
Jesus and the commandment tell us
that what is commonly called "swear:
ing" is wrong in Gods sight. 1t is
most disgusting to all hearers, is
something no man is proud of doing
and no true christian is given to it
This being true, it should not be done
James who wrote the epistle found
in the lesson today was brother
of Jesus. He was at the head of the
new christian church at Jerusalem
and died tie death of a martyr to his
faith in Jesus. His treatment of Paul
was remarkably and discreet, and his
message to the church, in which he
laid down the basic requirements for
a Gentle christian, stamp him as a
man of great mind Acts 15-19-20.
In the lesson verses James takes
up the evil things which come from
not governing the tongue. He calls
to mind how the same tongue which
can say words which comfort and
soothe, can likewise torment, bias.
pheme and do untold damage. He
thereupon makes strong appeal to
christians to hold the tongue in check.
Nothing could be more important
than the words of James. Alas. how
often the christian spOils the good
effect of his life by speaking hasty,
cross words, by tongue flashing his
neighbors, friends, wife and children,
by spreading reports which do dam
age to reputation, tear down the char
acter and standing of others. He may
stand firm on the seeming great
sins of lying, stealing, imomrality, yet
woefully fail when it comes to hold
ing in" when things 60 wrong in the
home, in business, on the street, or
when it appears that words of SANDER
will fall on ears ready to hear. Thou
sands of christians will tell you that
ruling their tongue is the very hard
est thing they have to contend with.
The lesson verses are made the
basis for talk on "truthfulness. "
This opens up wide range of
thought. 1t covers what we say in
business, holding trade, making money
to support our families. 1t brings in
to question whether there is any lati-
tude along the line of refraining from
telling the whole trL.-., but rather
letting the customer look sharp for
himself; whether there should be over
pursuading with statements which
present the situation in not its true
light, but which are not actual lies.
Many a christian enjoys good repu-
tation until you come to do business
with him and find his words crooked
and unreliable.
1t is certainly not needed to say that
deceit, taking advantage of another
by words which are not strictly true,
is not christian, and should not be
tolerated in the heart of one who
truly loves Jesus. One who processes
to be christian and who is not hon
est in what he says, is disgrace to
the cause of Jesus and will have to
answer for this when the record of
the things done in the body are faced.
If this sin has made others lose their