Regard to Truth
Note: The following transcription is incomplete. Many sections were missing or damaged. The actual title of this discourse is unknown.
Page 1:
to assert, that this subject deserves to be carefully pondered. … Nor ought it to be … observing the truth cannot be over-estimated. Nothing … the want of it; but with it, other traits of only moderate … acquire, in some cases extraordinary rigor.
1. Regard to truth is essential to permanent impo- ... character.
Genius, talent, cultivation, eloquence may be po- … out truth, the influence will be like the quite … and falls back, instead of making its way through … Man may make himself agreeable in some circles; though even with them, it … at the expense of his reputation. If some are deluded for the time, be- … they have only little acquaintance with his peculiarity, still when they … cover his fault, though he may afford them some thoughtless amuseme- … his power over them for anything important is well-nigh nothing. The … -ter, however brilliant in other respects, fails just at the point where the … is needed to overcome doubts, awaken zeal, and promote confidence in one, who might otherwise be chosen as the leader in some grand enterprise.
Page 2:
… other hand, a stern regard for truth gives force to other traits, … -ould have but little power. It is felt, that this will impart to … which will make them available as far as they are capable … man has a power, which could not be possessed, were it not … -e connected with his strict adherence to the truth. And this ad- … -manency to his influence.
… -ees show how essential is it, that truth be regarded, if character … be desired. While, without it, other striking traits fail; … succeed. If truth be mighty; as is he comparatively, … -es to truth. What he does is consistent with sincerity; what he utters is … -med reliable; what he aims at will be supposed to be worthy and benefi- … and such an one will possess impressiveness of character.
2. It is essential to the welfare of society.
Take away confidence, and the community are held together by a … link, less durable than a rope of sand. Nor can anything remove trust in one another more effectually than the absence of truth. Apart from the social tendency for man to confide to some extent with his fellow-man, such
Page 3:
is the condition of the human being, that at times he needs a helping hand. But, the promise of aid being given, how unhappy his state, if in addition to the feeling of his necessity, he must be tormented with the suspicion, that his neighbor’s pledge is altogether unreliable.
The absence of truth is a sure mark of the rottenness of society. Bring outward pressure upon it; and it is so crushed, that the means devised for its relief are rendered unavailing. Let an eruption break out within its borders; and it lacks the points, to which may be attached the ties and props and braces, which otherwise might prevent its ruin. All society needs a conservative element; and none is more potent than regard for truth.
Where this trait is wanting, the scene is dismal. Distrust is seen depicted on the countenance; ingeniousness has no opportunity to show itself; treachery stalks abroad undismayed; the sense of insecurity is manifest in every direction; intrigue is doing its work; villainy riots at noon as well as midnight. It is pandemonium without the name; it is earth located
Page 4:
within the vestibule of hell; it is the liar’s well-stocked garden, his pleasure-ground, his home.
3. It is essential to admittance into Heaven.
Truth is incorporated with the foundation, the atmosphere and the horizon of the heavenly world. It gleams among the verdant fields, and sparkles amid the ripples of the river of life; it shines along the golden streets, and brightens among the branches of the fruitful trees; it chimes amid the notes of the golden harps, and peals among the alleluias of the redeemed; it speaks among the voices of the holy inhabitants, and echoes from every wall and rampart of the New Jerusalem; it shines on every vesture and palm-branch and mansion of the celestial place, and flashes with undimmed splendor from the mighty throne of the eternal God.
