Violating the golden rule in business harms Christian witness and causes others to stumble.
The manner in which some professed Christians violate the golden rule in their business transactions, is deeply to be regretted as evidence of the bluntness of their moral perceptions, as a disgrace to the cause of true religion, and a stumbling-block to the impenitent. The correspondent of a certain religious journal says, "I passed an American eagle and a Spanish doubloon to a countryman, for value received, as I had given full value for them. True, I had heard from a gentleman broker, that they were of suspicious character, and probably base metal merely baptized in gold. But as I did not certainly know that they were base coins, ought I to have offered them to persons who were not judges of them, without any intimation of the report? I also passed in silence a $50 bank note of doubtful character, to a farmer, which I had unsuspectingly received in a fair sale of the necessaries of life; but not knowing it to be a counterfeit, I did not altogether condemn myself, as I
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RULE, GOLDEN, THE.
youth came in weeping, and threw him self at his father's feet, beseeching him, for Christ's sake, to pardon his misbehavior, and earnestly, and with much apparent sincerity, promising future amendment. His father reproached and threatened him; but, upon the importunities of Mrs. Forgath, he was persuaded to a reconciliation. He then besought his father to send him to college, saying, "that if ever he misbehaved again, he would be content that his father should disclaim him forever."
His father granted him his request;
and, after a little time spent here, not only a thorough reformation, but a saving conversion, took place in him; and he was so diligent a student, that, in much less time than could be expected, he went through all his necessary studies, and entered early into the ministry.
He became one of the most extraordinary characters of his age.
## GOLDEN, THE.
had said nothing in commendation of it
But on reading some of your remarks I fear I have done wrong. Pray what is your opinion?" The editor promptly replies, "My opinion is that you did a moral wrong. You have not done to another what you would have done to you?" And the editor's reply is the heartfelt response of every enlightened, conscientious Christian, who will, for a moment, make the case of the "countryman" and "farmer," who were deceived by the money, their own.
Take another instance of the violation of the same precept. "I heard,"
says a Western Preacher, "a conversation between a father and a son, both members of the same church, in the presence too of both their families.
"My son," said he, "you got cheated in that horse; he stumbles wretchedly, and will certainly go blind. You ought to sell him the first opportunity."
"Yes, father, I was deceived; but he is a good looking horse; and I think by putting him into the hands of your auctioneer I can sell him for cost." "You ought then to do it soon," replied his father, "or perhaps you will lose by the transaction." "I will send him to town to-morrow, and let the bidder do as I did—trust to his own eyes and judgment, for I will not warrant him." "You ought not to warrant him for two reasons—first, because the thing is wrong in itself; and in the next place, you might be made to pay the damages. Honesty is the best policy, my son. Remember that." Strange that professed Christians should talk in this manner! Fluently and conscientiously passing a cheat upon themselves, and acting the villain under the guise of honesty and fair dealing. How differs such a transaction in principle from robbery? Touch such a transaction with the golden rule, and its true character and deformity will be at once apparent, like those of Satan at the touch of Ithuriel's spear.
### SABBATH, THE
### BENEFITS OF THE SABBATH.
378. Physical Benefits to Domestic Animals.
