Guaranteed Integrity

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · May 7, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 18.

Guaranteed Integrity.

How to guard the commercial world from the peculations and the frauds of those occupying in it positions of trust, is one of the grave questions of the hour. The last year has witnessed almost an epidemic in the way of larcenies and defalcations. The low morality of the age has evinced itself in nothing more than in the dishonesties which have become so rife. On every side there is an anxious inquiry as to what to do to stem this current of unconscionable life, and start a new era of business integrity.

If the question were put to the most observant and candid, as to what is the greatest need of the present, the answer would be, More actual, every-day righteousness. So long as religion fails to be the social and personal force it should be, will it fail to effect the changes in the morals and life of the times demanded. If Christianity is to save the race, it must be so unfolded and enforced as to bend the public mind and heart down to the observance of the few basal principles which condition all true uprightness. It is a decadent life and inconsistent conduct within the church which has begotten a suspicion as to the renovating power of the gospel. So far as our professions of piety have come to seem like a mere top-dressing for an unchanged life beneath, so far as the world drawn back from it in doubt or utter unbelief. It is a return to the ethics of the gospel that would at once improve the quality of the country's life. There is no surer antidote to the commandment-breaking everywhere apparent, than a return to commandment-keeping.

The teachings of Christ touch the human life at all points, and nothing is plainer than the precepts he uttered for the right direction of daily conduct. How the maudlin sentimentalism which tempers with or condones personal transgression is trenchantly rebuked by the apostolic injunction, "Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good." What a timely, ringing command was that which, though addressed to those living in corrupt times and surrounded with sternest difficulties in the way of a lofty discipleship, is pre-eminently applicable to our age, "Provide things honest in the sight of all men," "Abstain from every appearance of evil." The gospel brought to bear on men in their commercial relations, will ameliorate the evils from which the trade and politics of the land are suffering. True Christian men in all walks of life are the best answer to and corrective of the laxities of the hour.

The device of the commercial world to meet the special evils of which we speak, is the organization of guarantee companies. These will, it is claimed, fill the place now made void by the absence of conscience in corporations and employers. They offer to relieve the latter of all interest in the character of their employees. A bond is to be made out by the individual to these companies, which supplants conscience, and for a money consideration all who have to hire help can be certified as to the reliability of the same by these guarantee companies. This is the latest expedient to secure official integrity in the callings where men serve. No bank, no railroad or farm, need inquire aught about those they employ; for this company steps in and guarantees the character of all applicants, and insures the former against loss through dishonesties of any kind. To this stress has the commercial world come, that religion no longer is trusted, nor personal character, but a guarantee company which stands in the place of both.

Surely, nothing more is required to prove the need of a genuine revival of righteousness among all classes, and a re-enthronement of Christ's religion as the only sure gird of character, the only force that can hold the individual to fealty, to conscience and truth, to honesty before God and man. If universal distrust is so prevalent, let there be a return to the hard-pan of personal rectitude, and let the basis for that be found in the teachings of the Lord, and in the gracious power he proffers those who will follow him. He was pronounced blessed who kept his commandments, and it is ignoring the Decalogue and the morals of the New Testament that has brought in the limp and immoral life of these days. We must have God in our hearts as well as on our lips, and we need to remind ourselves that in the gospel is to be found the perfect ethic and the desired dynamic force to regenerate man's daily life.

The device of money-gripping organizations cannot make men honest, or deter them from unrighteous and iniquitous lives. More than this is required. "Out of the heart are the issues of life," and while this is unreached and unchanged, it is useless to expect altered conduct. The religion which embodies itself in character, clean and steadfast, which actuates the man in his week-day career, insphering and inspiring him, will alone bring back into the marts of trade the integrity it mourns the loss of; and into churches and homes the earnest, pure spirit whose fruitage is the virtues of gentleness, peace, good works, and a love which prompts all speech and service.—The Advance.