The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-06-04
Integrity

faithfulness." In Scriptural record
we flnd the Psalmist praying for In
tegrity, the wise man praising 1t as
a combination of justice, faithful-
ness, and wisdom, and Job fervently
valuing its possession.
In the twelfth chapter OF ii kinss
we have a refreshing example o,
practical integrity. We read there
that the temple at Jerusalem was III
need of repairs, and Jehoash, then
king of Judah, ordered that the
money which 1t came into any man
heart to contribute for this purpose,
be- used to repair the breaches of the
temple wherever they were found
When this work was finally taken IN
hand, we read Gil Kings l2:15l,
"They reckoned not with the men,
into whose hand they delivered the
money to be bestowed on workmen
for they dealt faithfully"
What lesson for posterity TO
profit FRONT The recognized inte2-
rity of the men entrusted with the
funds dedicated to put the Lord
house in order, obviated the need for
guarding against Misrepresentation
and excluded unlovely thoughts OF
suspicion and mistrust. The requisite
amounts had been contributed with
willing heart, and they were disbursed
In the same way. A suitable, har-
monious condition this, for restoring
the house of the Lord, and for ac-
complishing His work, while presery-
ing the sanctity of the temple.
Actually, Is not every day the
nj H.
itation? All men, therefore, may
work happily in God-bestowed intey-
rity, since God, good, Is omnipotent.
and make of their workshop sarc-
tuary. They may also enjoy the az
companying reward, which Isaiah
prophesied in the name of God, IN
these words (Isaiah 52:13): "Be-
hold, my servant shall deal prudent
ly, he shall be exalted and extolled,
and be very high" These Scriptural
words apply to all who are obedient
t. divine Principle, no matter what
their occupation, since 1.-The earth IS
the Lords"
The servants of the Most High
have always been blessed in the
knowledge of their uprightness-in
the consciousness of being faithful
administrators in their Masters SER
vice. The conviction of his earnest
endeavors to do the will of God fur
nished Job with the courage to ex-
claim, "Let me be weighed In an
even balance, that God may know
mine integrity"
Faithfulness and honesty alone
are satisfying, in civil as In political
life. Can an unfaithful, careless, dis
honest worker be truly self-respect-
ing and happy about his achieve
ments? The answer must always be,
No. In his innermost heart he
knows his actions to be unworthy.
In an address on the subject OF
"Godlikeness" Mary Baker Eddy, the
revered and beloved Discoverer and
Founder of Christian Science, said in
her Message to The Mother Church
for 1902 (p. ~: Happiness con-
sists in being and in doing good;
only what God gives, and what we
give ourselves and others through
His tenure, confers happiness: con-
scious worth satisfies the hungry
heart, and nothing else can"
No maladministrator can possibly
be proud and happy over his none
tary gains. He, too, knows his actions
to be unworthy, and must sooner
or later suffer from self-reproach and
secret condemnation. Self-examina-
ton is an invaluable aid in determin-
ing whether one is upright, honest,
faithful; whether one justly and
conscientiously applies these Cod
given qualities. If this test results
negatively, our need is to improve. We
also read in the same message: Con
suit thy everyday life; take its an
swer as to thy aims, motives, fondest
purposes, and this oracle of years
will put to flight all care for the
worlds soft flattery or its frown."
What delightful condition of gov
eminent by divine Principle we
should have in all departments OF
life, il persons would cease to value
irregular financial gains, or uncertain
worldly honors! Mrs. Eddy, who
valued only that which would pass
the test Of divine approval, gave to
her followers, the members of The
First Church of Christ, Scientist,
which she founded, "a Rule for Mo-
tives and Acts" manual of The
Mother Church, Art. VIII, Sect. -,
which begins with the following:
"Neither luminosity nor mere per-
sonal attachment should impel the
motives or acts of the members of
The Mother Church. In Science,
divine Love alone governs man."
Should not obedience to these words
ensure soundness Of action, true in
tegrity?
When fairness, faithfulness, hon
esty, prudence, actuated by love FOR
God and men, accompany every hu-
man undertaking, In the home, in
business, in educational institutions,
in politics; when each individual
strives for the ability to pray with
confidence, "Let me be weighed in an
even balance, that God may know
mine integrity" we shall be well on
the way toward demonstration CT
Gods kingdom ON earth.-The Chris