p. 2 | PROMISES by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 25, 1858

PROMISES.

By J. Clarke

TRUE a bad promise is better broken than kept; but this is no excuse for continually making bad promises. One or two such promises in a lifetime, ought to teach a person not to make them; but there are some people, who, though they would not make a bad promise, yet they are so easy, and so accommodating, and they say yes so naturally and so often without reflection, that they find it impossible to perform the half of their engagements.

Thus Mr. A. calls at the door of Mr. Promise-all, and says, Friend P. can you come and help me raise my barn to-morrow? Says P., Let me see: I have promised to work for H. to-morrow; I owe him for cash borrowed, and besides, I have partly promised to help C. thresh; he wants me badly. Oh well, says A., one day won't make much difference; say you will come and help me raise. Well, says P., I don't know—I guess—(thinks awhile,) may be I'd best come.

Soon after A. departs, D. presents himself at the door of Mr. Promise-all, and says, Neighbor P., I'm in a pinch; my corn is being eaten up by the squirrels and birds; I want you to help me cut it to-day and to-morrow. Really, says P., I do not know: I'm engaged for to-morrow; I rather guess you will have to wait. I can't be put off so, says D.; you have promised to help me cut up my corn whenever I want you. Well, says P., I suppose I'll have to come.

Promise-all is industrious and honest in all other respects but this, and this will I fear be his ruin. He works hard, but does not get along, because he does not work upon any system or plan; and he cannot plan, because he is a servant of all—because he does not keep his word.

Now let us follow A. to the door of Mr. Prompt. Good morning Mr. P., Can you help me raise to-morrow? I am sorry to say, says P., I'm engaged for to-morrow. Well, says A., I shall have to get along without you, for I know you would not break your word for all the barns in the world.

Now suppose these two men, Prompt and Promise-all, should embrace the Third Angel's Message; which would be most useful? Which would progress most rapidly in the study of the Scripture? In fact, could friend Promise-all be an overcomer? Could he win the crown unless he should thoroughly reform in this matter? Will Christ accept the covenant-breaker? But says P., I am poor. Well, my dear friend, this is the way to remain poor. I can assure you that your friend Prompt has had a harder, and far more difficult task than yourself, and he has succeeded in paying his debts, and has brought up a large family, and been liberal all the while; and now he can live comfortably, while you are harassed.

Oh let us keep our word inviolate; while swift to hear, let us be slow to speak, slow to promise. Let us reflect! reflect! Let us know what we promise, to whom we promise, and disappoint no one. Do not forbear that little Saxon word "no." Only two letters in it. Oh there is a charm in it when needed. Will you break your promise? No! Will you work without plan or system? No! Will you displease God, and disgust men and angels? No!!! Will you be slow to promise and prompt to perform? Oh yes, with the help of God.

J. CLARKE.