White Lies and Black Lies.
By D. F. Newton
“All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” Conversation between Slipshod and Timewell. T. Good morning, neighbor Slipshod, I have a message for you. T. The things concerning you are not good. Report says you vow and pay not. T. Did you not promise to do that work for neighbor Simpkins? T. That money due brother Larkin—was not the exact time for refunding it specified? T. In either of the above cases did you render satisfactory reasons for non-compliance? S. Perhaps not; but do you call this lying? S. A criminal falsehood!—willful deception!—intentional fraud!—a—a—a— T. Stop, stop, neighbor, no wincing. Lies are of various kinds, of various degrees of aggravation. There are black lies and white lies, lies of vanity, pride, ambition, flattery, convenience, interest, fear, wantonness, cruelty? lies of first, second, and third rate malignity. There are also passive or practical lies,—lies acted out. Point your finger in a wrong direction to an inquiring traveler—you give him the lie. T. Again. Some are habitual liars—lie at nearly every breath—like the common swearer, he swears, and knows it not. “Mr. Timewell, will you let me have that barrel of lime,” said neighbor Slipshod. “On my word,” said he, “I will pay you next week.” Some six months have elapsed, and not a farthing for the lime yet; nor do I ever expect it. Accuse this same man of stealing, would he not take it as an insult? Still, in the eye of God’s law, he is a thief—cutting asunder silken cords of social, civil, and religious compact—spreading widely the seeds of discord and ruin. Now, Mr. Slipshod, I am not accusing you of lies of first-rate malignity; far from it. But are you not openly violating a positive precept, the law of love, sundering the tenderest and dearest ties of friendship? Besides, there is an item (else I mistake) that renders your case peculiarly aggravating. S. Friend Timewell, to what do you allude? T. You profess to be a Christian? T. Pray in the social circle, I suppose? T. Well, what does the world think of you, especially those individuals whom you have defrauded—whose spirits you have often grieved—and to whom you have falsified your word again and again? What effect, think you, your prayers and exhortations will have upon their minds? Your voice to them is like the cracking of thorns under a pot! They must (and every one that knows you, will) necessarily write down your name, HYPOCRITE! HYPOCRITE!! Now, Mr. Slipshod, before we part, allow me to say to you in good faith, that these “white lies,” these sins you term venial, are the little foxes that destroy the vines. They eat as doth a canker,—grieve the Holy Spirit—deaden the conscience, and cause the ways of Zion to be evil spoken of. I beseech you, as you value your own soul, the best interests of the community, the honor of God in the salvation of a perishing world—REPENT of this thy great wickedness—REPENT! make restitution, and henceforth be an honest man. “Shame results from little sinnings—
Mighty ends from small beginnings;
Take care! Take care!” Home Thrusts, by D. F. NEWTON.