A Cracked Commandment by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 7, 1859

A Cracked Commandment.

By Editor

"In these days when the commandments are so often broken, and the worst crimes so frequently pass unpunished, it is refreshing to see a piece like the following from the Examiner, which shows a wholesome sensitiveness with reference to cracking one of the immortal ten commandments. We wish children of larger growth might feel its force.

"We heard a suggestive expression related the other day of a very little girl, who was taken by her mother into a shop, where a tempting basket of oranges stood exposed for sale. While her mother was engaged in another part of the room, the little one feasted her eyes on the fruit, and nursed the temptation in her heart till it grew too strong to be resisted, and she hid one of the oranges under her apron and walked quickly away. But conscience remonstrated so strongly, that after a little reflection, she walked as quickly back, and as slyly replaced the orange in the basket. Again, the forbidden fruit out of her possession, presented its tempting side, and again she yielded. After a sharper conflict than before conscience gained a second victory, and the almost stolen orange was again and finally restored. With a saddened countenance she walked home with her mother, and when they were alone, burst into tears, exclaiming, O, mother, I've cracked one of the commandments! I didn't break it—indeed I didn't break it, mother—quite—but—I'm sure I cracked it. We shall never again see a piece of doubtful conduct, without thinking—there's a commandment cracked '"

The above we clip from an exchange. Can we all assure ourselves that there is nothing in it applicable to us. To say nothing of the world and nominal Christianity which are united in grinding to powder beneath their feet the fourth commandment, is not that commandment often cracked at least by some of those who profess to keep it? Or at any rate, does it not come from their hand with the edges of either end sadly battered and broken? Is the sacred day suffered to retain its perfect proportions unmarred by secular pursuits too long continued or too soon begun? But God does not accept a lame sacrifice. It must be without blemish. Our service must come up to the line and plummet of God's righteousness and judgment. Our keeping of the commandments must be in letter and in spirit too.