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HONESTY

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 8, 1862

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 19, No. 19.

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HONESTY.

By A. S. Hutchins

"He hath showed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah vi, 8.
The word of the Lord enjoins upon the Christian the most strict and thorough honesty; the most constant and undeviating integrity and equity. To speak of a dishonest Christian would be not only a criminal use of the name Christian, but it would be as great a contradiction, as to speak of a dishonest honest man, or of an insane sane person.
But, living as we do, when "judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off:" "yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil, maketh himself a prey;" it is to be deeply feared that the principles of justice and real Christian honesty are not well understood and thoroughly cultivated by some that professedly depart from evil, and claim a high regard for the holy and perfect law of God.
Self interest and stupidity to the rights of others, mould the course of the selfish man. Closely wrapt up in self, he seems to forget while dealing with his fellow man, that his interests are to be consulted equally with his own. That our actions should be weighed in the scales of justice, and our accounts balanced as in the sight of God. "A just weight and balance are the Lord's." "A false balance is abomination to the Lord."
"Let no man seek his own advantage only, but each that of his neighbor also." (Macknight's translation.) 1 Cor. x, 24. "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Phil. ii, 4. "Render therefore to all their dues."
It is much to be regretted that these principles have been violated, or over-reached by any professing to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Alas, for a trafficking, jockeying, and speculating spirit among those who should be the light of the world! How many stumbling-blocks it has laid in the way of others! How much the precious cause has been wounded, and the holy Spirit grieved!
"For, what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" And will one, for a small handful of this poor, perishing world, mar his christian reputation, and suffer his holy influence to sink? "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. xxii, 37-39.
Love for our neighbor, agreeably to this commandment, makes man honest with his fellow man; it regulates the buyer and the seller, the master and the servant, the debtor and the creditor. The debtor awakes to the just demands of his creditor, and if possible renders to him his due, but if not he does not remain in stupid silence and indifference, but rather cries out in the language of the penitent debtor in the parable, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." Matt. xviii, 29. Past wrongs and advantages taken are confessed, and restoration made. See Luke xix, 8.
Especially do men expect Sabbath-keepers to do justly. Said a Methodist to a Sabbath-keeper, "If you keep one more commandment than we do, you should be so much better." A close walk with God, a life of holiness and deep devotion is the best preaching.
"His preaching much, but more his practice wrought, A living sermon on the truths he taught."
"Provide things honest in the sight of all men." Rom. xii, 17. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of all men. 2 Cor. viii, 21. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. iv, 8.
Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed." Isa. lvi, 1.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
March 11, 1862.