THE man that steals one penny is—just as great a transgressor as if he stole a thousand dollars? No, not that. The man that steals one single penny is—as great a transgressor against the laws of society as if he stole a thousand dollars? No, not exactly that. The man that steals one penny is—just as great a transgressor against the commercial interests of men as if he stole a thousand dollars? No, not that. The man that steals a penny is just as great a transgressor against the purity of his own conscience as if he stole a million of dollars. When a man makes up his mind that he will be a thorough-paced villain, and steal like a cashier, he does not do himself any more damage in his moral sense, than when he says, "I will filch a penny." To steal large sums damages the firm, damages the bank, damages the commercial interests of the community. These things go by the ratio of quantity; but so far as moral deterioration is concerned, the moment a man says, "I will do wrong," the damage is done; the glass is broken; the mirror is defaced; the conscience is soiled. He cannot do more if he says, "I will do a double wrong or a triple wrong." And there is the great mischief of it. There is an impression that the culpability of things bears some proportion to their magnitude. To steal an apple is not much. In stealing it you do not get much; but you get all the damage that you would if it was a golden apple. To betray a small trust has the same moral effect as to betray a large one.
Do you stand at a bank counter, and present a check for a thousand dollars? and does the man behind the counter, hand you eleven hundred dollars? and do you walk away, saying, "It is his business to take care of his affairs: I will take care of mine?" You are a thief! The law is that no man shall take a thing without rendering an equivalent, and that law you have violated. If that man blunders in finance, it is no reason why you should steal. And yet how many men are there, that if they were to take a thousand, a hundred, or ten, or five dollars too much, would think of returning it? You say that corporations have no souls. You will not have any that is worth anything long if you pursue such a course. It is a question that is to be settled, not on that side of the counter, but on this side.
How many men are there, that when looking over the money that they have received during the day, see a bill that appears like a counterfeit, do not like to look at it again, and thrust it into the drawer? You have taken a circuitous way to make yourself a scoundrel. You saw it sufficiently to produce the conviction on your mind that it was counterfeit; and the moral effect of passing it is the same as though you knew it to be counterfeit. Or, do you take it up and say, "Well, somebody has passed it on me, and I have a right to shove it along?" Why, you are a counterfeiter! I tell you, my friend, it only requires the opportunity to lead you to forge bills, and put them on other men! Do you protest and say, "Do you expect that I am going to lose that money?" It is a choice between losing the money and your conscience. I do not know what a person would not do who is willing to throw his manhood away for the sake of a little money. And if you are going to sell yourself, do not sell yourself for a dollar bill, or a five-dollar bill—though I think you would get enough for yourself even at such a price.
I do not know of any buyer that pays such high prices as the Devil pays when he buys men. Here is a man that sells himself for about one-eighth of a pound of chiccory in a pound of coffee. He sells himself to every customer that comes in. He adulterates. He prepares his commodity with a lie, and retails it with
another lie. Every time a man commits a known dishonesty he sells his soul; and thousands of men are selling themselves by little driblets. And I think that a man who sells himself thus—cheats himself? No, he cheats the Devil. The Devil pays too much for him!
How many men are there who, if, through carelessness, the conductor neglected to punch their railroad ticket, and they found it in their pockets the next day, would not take it out, and look at it, and say, "I think I will use that again?" You paid for that ticket a dollar? Yes. You have had service to the amount of a dollar? Yes. If, then, you ride with that ticket again, you steal one dollar from the railroad company as much as if you went to the till and took a dollar. And yet, how many men would not ride twice with a ticket under such circumstances—yes, forty times?
I am informed that before the commutation system was abandoned by the ferry company, men of property and good standing in society would boldly declare that they had a commutation ticket in their pocket when they had none, for the sake of going through without paying! They did this when the ferriage was but one penny. They lied for one cent!
I pity the devil! I do not know what he does with such men! It is awful to be chief magistrate of a parcel of men like them! I cannot understand how these exiguous, thrice-squeezed men can be managed.
I have given you but one or two instances of this kind; but if you comb society you will find it to be full of just such little meannesses—things that men do with the cock of the eye, or with dexterity of finger; misunderstandings; overreachings; underplottings; all sorts of trickery—which pivot on essential dishonesty.
And these rebound. They destroy the moral sense. They undo a man. If you go to-night to a bank, and break through the door, and rob the safe, or work above it, and split the granite over it, and get at it in that way, you are not more dishonest than you would be if you only ran away with a sixpence that did not belong to you.
The danger of these little things is veiled under a false impression. You shall hear a man say of his boy, "Though he may tell a little lie, he would not tell a big one; though he may practice a little deceit, he would not practice a big one; though he may commit a little dishonesty, he would not commit a big one." But let me tell you that these little things are the ones that destroy the honor, that destroy the moral sense, and throw down the fence and let a whole herd of buffaloes of temptation drive right through you. Criminals that die on the gallows; miserable creatures that end their days in poor-houses; wretched beings that hide themselves in loathsome places in cities; men that are driven as exiles across the sea and over the world—these are the ends of little things, the beginnings of which were thought to be safe. I tell you, it is these little things that are your peculiar temptations, and your worst danger.
Without following this theme any further this morning, I will close with that solemn declaration, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."
Take heed, parents—you that are training your children—take heed what God says to you; ye that are young, take heed what God says; and let us all take heed.—Independent.
Extracts from Letters.
Sister E. Richmond, writes from Vernon, Vt.: I greatly rejoice that God has a few on the earth that are striving to serve him and are coming into the unity of the faith. I believe the time is not far distant when the children of God will be of one heart and of one mind, and will triumph over the powers of darkness. I rejoice that the gifts are being restored to the church, I hope we shall not any of us reject the light that is shining in our pathway. God has been very merciful to us in pointing out our wrongs. My prayer is that he will enable us to lay aside all our idols and overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony. Truly we live in a solemn time, when God is proving his people. I realize that we are in danger of being overcome by the enemy; but Jesus has promised to be with us, and if he is for us who can
be against us, O how many blessed promises he has left to comfort and encourage our hearts while here in this world of trial and temptation. I want to so live from day to day that I may know that my ways are pleasing to my heavenly Father. We must give all for the sake of Jesus, and be found without fault before the throne of God. I hope we shall prove all things and hold fast that which is good, and be prepared to meet on Mount Zion where parting will be no more."
A. S. Olmstead writes from Elmore, Vt.: "I feel to bless and praise the name of the Lord that he has seen fit to give me a willing heart to comply with his commandment to keep his holy Sabbath. I believe we are living in the last days, and that we should be careful how we live; and my daily prayer is that I may be found watching and waiting when my Lord shall come, that my lamp may be trimmed and burning, the oil of grace in my heart, and be I prepared to say, Lo this is our God we have waited for him, and he will save us. I long for that faith which works by love and which purifies the heart and overcomes the world."
Sister S. Robinson writes from Girard, Mich.: "I cannot do without the Review. It is all the preaching I have. I am alone here; but the Lord is my stay and support, a very present help in time of trouble. The Lord is near, Jesus is soon coming. The signs of the times indicate his near approach. May we be ready, and be overcomers."
Sister C. Stockwell writes from Yates, N. Y.: "I have often felt a desire to let the readers of the Review know what my determinations are. I was converted under the preaching of Bro. Hull, and was by him baptized, in July, 1861, and have ever since been truly thankful that I was led to see the light of present truth. I have ever felt to rejoice that I was not left to my own ways, until it was too late to secure my eternal welfare. I find that to live in a manner to please God, requires every effort that lies in our power, and I also find that the words of Bro. H. have proved true, in my case at least, that when we commence serving God, we commence a perpetual warfare upon this earth. We cannot expect to please God and man. I am willing to bear the persecutions of this world, if I can only have the assurance of God's love, and it is my desire to live acceptably in his sight. I think I can safely say, I have no desire for the things of this world. But God knows our hearts better than we do; and it is my earnest prayer that he will cleanse and purify my heart though it be through trials and persecutions. I am determined, by the grace of God, to live the remainder of my days in such a manner that I may at last be pronounced a good and faithful servant and be received into God's everlasting kingdom. I fully believe that we are in the last days, and that those who live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. I feel a deep interest in the welfare of my brethren and sisters in this truth, and love to read their letters, which so often meet my eye in the Review. We are many of us strangers now; but I live in joyful expectation of a time when we shall know each other face to face. I ask an interest in your prayers, that I may discharge every duty faithfully, put all my trust in One who is able to save, and at last be prepared to meet him with joy."
O B I T U A R Y .
DIED at Cleveland, Le Seur Co., Minn., Feb. 11, 1862, sister Mary Forsyth, aged 17 years and 3 months.
Sister Mary embraced the present truth about the middle of October last, together with her parents, who deeply feel her loss. She lived a consistent follower of Christ up to the time of her death. She sleeps in Jesus.
Also Feb. 13, 1862, in the same place, Matthew E. Shank, son of Bro. and sister Shank, aged 9 months.
Also March 26, 1862, Frances A. St. Clair, daughter of Bro. and sister St. Clair, aged 10 months.
W. M. ALLEN.
Died, at Oneida Valley, N. Y., April 30, 1862, Flora, daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah McLane, aged 3 years, 8 months, and 10 days.
TENT MEETINGS.
The Michigan tent will be pitched for meetings at Charlotte, Eaton Co., Mich., Thursday, June 5. First meeting Thursday evening.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
MOSES HULL.
Meetings in Michigan
Providence permitting, we will hold meetings in Parkville, Mich., Sabbath and first-day, May 24 and 25. We hope to see a general attendance of the brethren from the adjoining churches.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
MOSES HULL.
Providence permitting, I will hold a meeting in Assyria, Mich., on the evening of Friday, May 23, and Sabbath, at half-past ten.
J. B. FRISBIE.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
By Editor
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
A. Green 0,50,xxi,1. John Whipple 1,00,xxi,1. E. Bartlette 2,00,xxi,20. J. Blair 2,00,xx,1. L. Bean 1,00,xxi,8. H. H. Page 1,00,xxi,8. C. P. Finch 1,00,xix,8. P. Gould 1,00,xix,22. J. C. Seeley 1,00,xxii,14. B. Dutton 1,00,xx,23. G. W. Chamberlain 1,00,xx,23. E. H. Higley 2,50,xxii,14. W. A. Jackson 2,00,xix,1. S. N. Smith 1,25,xx,7. A. W. Maynard 2,00,xxii,1. E. Comings 1,00,xxi,23. M. M. Lunger 1,00,xx,14. M. V. Cole 2,00,xix,16. G. Hoxsey 3,00,xxiii,1. P. Scarborough 2,00,xxi,1. J. B. Edwards 1,25,xxi,1. Stephen Pierce 1,00,xxiii,1. W. G. Kendall 1,00,xxi,6. H. Grant 2,75,xxi,1. E. Cobb 1,00,xxi,1. J. Donpier 2,00,xxi,24. J. Edwards for E. Kinney 0,50,xxi,1. T. Smith 0,56,xxi,1. M. C. Hoag 1,00,xxi,9. E. Seely 1,00,xxii,1. Ch. at Orange for Mrs. A. Williams 1,00,xxi,1. Mrs. J. H. Aldrich 1,00,xxi,14. A. G. Smith 2,00,xxiii,1. Mrs. L. M. Gates 1,00,xxi,1. Wm. A. Raymond 1,00,xxi,1. Wm. Bovee 1,00,xxi,24. E. Wick 1,00,xxi,14. James Eggleston 2,00,xix,1. Mrs. S. Benson 1,00,xxi,1. J. Breed 1,00,xx,14. W. Smith 1,00,xxi,1. C. Buck 1,00,xxi,7. E. H. Pierce 2,00,xviii,1. J. W. Learned 1,00,xxi,1. Mary Fairbanks 1,00,xxi,1.
For Shares in Publishing Association.
Martin M. Cole $10,00. James Harvey $10,00. F. Swartz 5,00. Anna M. Newton $10,00. Nicholas Smith $10,00.
Donations to Publishing Association.
A. W. Maynard $80,00. M. B. Pierce $1,00. Ch. at Kirkville, N. Y., $5,00. Eli Wick $8,50. Jacob Berry $8,50. J. P. Hunt $5,00.
Books Sent by Express.
Wm. S. Higley Jr., Lapeer, Mich., $26,23.
Cash Received on Account.
M. V. Cole (E. W. S.) $3,00. G. W. Perry 0,10. J. H. Waggouer $3,50. Joseph Bates $5,75. M. Hull $31,07.
Books Sent By Mail.
A Green 10c. Mrs. S. Averill 10c. M. M. Lunger 35c. P. Scarborough 30c. E. Seely 10c. C. A. Osgood $1,00. W. A. Raymond 10c. P. Z. Paine $1,00. E. Wick $1,00. R. J. Davis 25c. James Eggleston $1,00. J. P. Hunt 45c. H. H. Bramhall 35c. James Breed 30c. A. Hafer 12c. A. Smiley 15c.
PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on all transient publications, at the rates of one cent an ounce for Books and Pamphlets, and one-half cent an ounce for Tracts, in packages of eight ounces or more. Those who order Pamphlets and Tracts to be sent by mail, will please send enough to pre-pay postage. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address Elder James White, Battle Creek, Michigan.
History of the Sabbath, (in paper covers), . . . 30 10
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6–12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast, . . . 15 4
ONE CENT TRACTS. Who Changed the Sabbath?—Unity of the Church—Spiritual Gifts—Law of God, by Wesley—Appeal to men of reason on Immortality—Much in Little—Truth—Death and Burial—Preach the Word—Personality of God.
TWO CENT TRACTS. Dobney on the Law—Infidelity and Spiritualism.
English Bibles.
We have on hand a good assortment of English Bibles, which we sell at the prices given below. The size is indicated by the amount of postage.
The figures set to the following Bound Books include both the price of the Book and the postage,
The Hymn Book, containing 464 pages and 122 pieces of music. . . . . 80 cts.
History of the Sabbath, in one volume, bound—Part I, Bible History—Part II, Secular History. . . . . 60 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels. . . . . 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. II. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message. . . . . 50 "
Scripture Doctrine of Future Punishment. By H. H. Dobney, Baptist Minister of England, . . . . 75 "
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other Poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Anna R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.* Price 25 cents.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John, 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On rollers, post-paid, 75 cts.
WILL THE POPE REMOVE THE PAPAL SEAT TO JERUSALEM.
By Uriah Smith
"A CORRESPONDENT of the Liverpool Mercury, writing from Rome, states that French officers have latterly been very busy in obtaining information respecting Jerusalem, and the state of things in that quarter. He adds that they had been taking measurements in several localities, particularly the ground that lies about the Mosque of Omar, on Mount Moriah. From Jerusalem they had gone on to Hebron, Gaza, and other points, for the like purpose. It was also currently reported that a body of French troops were shortly to come to Jerusalem, while another would be stationed at Jaffa, and a third on mount Carmel. At Beyrout, he says, the French officers openly affirmed that their government had no intention of withdrawing the force sent out, but were about to employ them shortly on a new and very different errand to that for which they ostensibly came. The French were also actively employed in making a road from the Holy City to Damascus, along which they were erecting houses at certain intervals. It is said that such a scheme as this intelligence shows to be in course of development, points to the realizing of Pio Nono's favorite plan of removing the seat of the Papacy to Jerusalem."
Is not the above item significant, taken in connection with Dan. xi, 45? U. S.
MEETINGS IN MICHIGAN.
By Joseph Bates
Dear Brother White:—From April 23 to 28 I spent with the church in Wright. Meetings on the Sabbath and first-day were interesting and well attended. On first-day, five were buried with Christ by baptism. In attending to this ordinance, we had to drive about seven miles to get to running water suitable for the occasion; and return in a rain storm. When obedient children of God feel duty pressing them to obey the command of the great head of the church, such are trifling obstacles. The church also, in obedience to the example and direction of their divine Lord, washed one another's feet, and then in remembrance of his agony and death, partook of the emblems of his broken body and spilt blood, and received the divine blessing.
I also spent three days with the church in Pine Creek. On the Sabbath, May 3d, we had a full meeting at Bro. Leighton's. The church is being strengthened and coming up on higher ground since their organization at the commencing of the year. The Lord answered prayer, blessed and strengthened the sick, and confirmed the wavering. Three more offered themselves for baptism to be attended to in two weeks.
JOSEPH BATES.
ELECTROTYPE TENT PLATES.
By Editor
We have on hand a number of electrotype tent plates, like the one given on this page, of a size suitable for the columns of the country newspapers, designed to advertise tent-meetings in the county papers, which we can supply to tent commitees at one dollar and fifty cents each. Every tent should have one.
Tent-Meeting at Princeville
By William S. Ingraham; Isaac Sanborn
Providence permitting, we will hold a tent-meeting at Princeville, Ills., commencing May 16, and continuing as long as thought proper.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
ISAAC SANBORN.
APPOINTMENTS.
By James White
TWO-DAYS' MEETING AT BATTLE CREEK.
At a meeting of the brethren the 11th, it was decided to hold a two-days' meeting at Battle Creek, Sabbath and First-day, May 17 and 18. The brethren in the region round about, and all whom this notice may reach in season, are invited to attend. Brethren Loughborough and Hull design to be present.
In behalf of the brethren. JAMES WHITE.
JONATHAN CHASE
By Jonathan Chase
Our next quarterly meeting will be held at Lodi, Wis., in the evening following May 31, 1862.
