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THE MAN OF HONOR

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1861

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 18, No. 5.

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THE MAN OF HONOR.

By Joseph Clarke

THERE is somewhere told an anecdote of Gen. Washington like this (if my memory is correct): Gen. Washington, in company with a few of his staff, called at the residence of Gen. Schuyler on some business. Gen. S. not being at home, they were about departing, when it was noticed by Gen. Washington, that a stone had been thrown from the wall which surrounded the grounds of Gen. S., by one of his officers' horses, and Gen. W. kindly hinted that the stone had better be replaced.
The officer mounted his charger, at the same time saying that some one else might see to that. Gen. Washington very calmly took up the stone, and replaced it in the wall, saying, "I always leave things as I find them." This is the substance of the story I believe.
Such is the sense of honor with a man of the world, and should the sons of God have less? The true man of honor must be possessed of three qualities: an enlightened and tender conscience, a clear head, and a kind and loving heart. These three things he must have, in order to be a man of honor, such as even the world would approve, tried by their tests. He must be something of a casuist, or he will make mistakes that will soil his reputation; for one mean, low-lived act, will tarnish the reputation of one who has been a lifetime winning his way to popularity by every means. He may lavish his thousands in acts of liberality, yet unless he is a man of honor in little things, his point is not gained. Such is the world's standard of a man of honor.
If the corrupt world have so strict an idea of what constitutes an honorable man, though they do not live it out, what must be the standard of a holy God, the source of all honor, all glory, all excellence? What a standard of honor had the blessed Saviour while here in the world, that awed his enemies at his presence, that silenced calumny, and shut the mouth of slander.
Suppose that an angel were here upon the earth, how think you he would avoid everything mean and low, all trespass upon his neighbors' rights, all unfair dealing, all low tricks!
Alas for us! Some who keep the Sabbath, and talk loudly about the third message, and speak of their joys, do things that many a man of the world would blush to be connected with in any way whatever.
Suppose I see a nice flat stone by the road-side: the probability is it has an owner. Suppose it is near a quarry: some industrious hand has quarried it and laid it there, and he would style a man a thief who would take it away unlicensed.
Suppose that Q. has injured me, and has hurt my feelings; I have no cause, neither should I wish to play some "cute" trick upon him in trade for a recompense.
Suppose I have good claim upon an article to which another man has the written title: I would sooner work my fingers to a stump, than dismantle that article unknown to its legal owner.
O that all men were men of honor! but they are not. But when we turn to the people who have taken the profession of holiness, we have a right to expect it, to claim it. We do expect it, we do claim it. Such will all those be who pass in through the gates into the city.
What! talk about the new earth, while our tongues and hands are full of guile? Talk of heaven and holiness while our lives are dishonorable, our acts unfair! If there is a step from the sublime to the ridiculous, it is this: but no, it is too awful to be ridiculous!
He who can jest with holy things, and try to joke with his Maker, by making a farce of religion, is truly heaven-daring. Deliver us, O God, from such acts, from such lives, and such examples. Terrible indeed is the third message to such! Who dare trifle with this awful missive from God to mortals?
A great work must be done, and that quickly, or many will fail to rise no more. This state of things cannot last. God is evidently putting his hand to the work, and God is an honorable being. He is particular, he is strict. Think of the delicate sense of eye and ear, and think you the Creator of such wonderful instruments is not quick to see and hear?
O let us institute a double watch over ourselves, and always act with the nicest, strictest, sense of right and honor. Do we not seek for honor as well as glory and immortality?
JOSEPH CLARKE.