A SEASONABLE WARNING by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 17, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 11.

A SEASONABLE WARNING.

By Editor

"As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?" Prov. 26:18, 19. This applies to children as well as to men, and it has special application at the present day. We do not know whether or not the custom of perpetrating "April fool jokes" was in vogue in the days of Solomon; but if it was not, there were people who told lies in sport, and against all such this language is directed. What are called "April fool jokes" are nothing else but lies, and the one who indulges in them proclaims himself the fool. We have seen people professing godliness, who countenanced their children in such practices, doubtless thinking that it was "innocent sport." If a madman should come into a crowded assembly and begin to scatter firebrands, and shoot poisonous arrows, it would not be called innocent sport; but Solomon says he is just like one who deceives his neighbor, and says, "Am not I in sport?"

The first of April is just before us, and we write this in hope that the eyes of some thoughtless ones may be opened to see that a lie on the first day of April is just as sinful as one on any other day of the year; and that to tell a lie in sport is worse if possible than telling one in anger, because it indicates that the person's moral sensibilities are so blunted that he can deliberately lie without having a thought of its sinfulness.

"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another." Eph. 4:25. Let parents see that they themselves are not blameworthy in this matter, and let them beware lest their children acquire, in sport, a disregard for truth, which will be difficult to overcome.