Tracts as a Test of Honesty

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 11, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 35.

Tracts as a Test of Honesty

A MALAY merchant in the East Indies asked an American if he had any tracts he could part with. At a loss how to account for this request, he inquired, What do you want of tracts? you cannot read a word of them. True, but I have a use for them. Whenever one of your countrymen or an Englishman calls on me to trade, I put a tract in his way and watch him; if he reads it soberly and with interest, I infer that he will not cheat me; if he throws it aside with contempt or an oath, I have no more to do with him; I cannot trust him.