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should there not be an indubitable distinction between them and the men of the world? With you, my dear readers, who profess to be Christ's, is it so in this sense? If not, you

are destitute of an important lineament in the Christian character; and not even in word are you true practical non-conformists to the world, or true Christians.

CHAPTER V.

NON-CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD
IN INJUSTICE.

"In vain we talk of Jesus' blood,
And boast his name in vain,
If we can slight the laws of God,
And prove unjust to men."

BUT further, all true Christians must "not be conformed to this world" in the practice of any thing like injustice or dishonesty. Every thing that partakes of the nature of injustice or dishonesty, whether slight or great, may be said to be verbally condemned by all, whether nonprofessors or professors of religion; while every thing that is just and honest is the subject of universal commendation. Nor is it too much to assert, that many, who make no pretensions to a religious character, display, in the transactions of business, the highest honour, and the strictest integrity. At the same time, how true is it of too many members of the Church, as well as of the men of the world, that their practice of the virtue of justice does not square with their pro

fession of Christianity, or morality? On the contrary, when a favourable opportunity presents itself, and there appears no risk of detection, how often are deeds of the grossest injustice wilfully and habitually perpetrated? How often is such injustice committed in the common affairs of life, in buying as well as in selling? Or, when this does not take place in an aggravated measure, how frequently are petty acts of injustice resorted to, not only by those who have a fair reputation in the world, but by those who make a flaming profession in the Church? In short, how often iş injustice or dishonesty, in almost innumerable ways, carried to such an extent, that, till the perpetrators are detected, they may be said to "know no shame?"

For example, how often, on the part of the seller, is dishonesty practised, not so much by an exorbitant or excessive charge, or by a false weight or a light balance, as by over-reaching more than by over-rating; by fraud more than by falseness; by taking advantage of an oversight or a mistake, of ignorance or weakness, of credulity or simplicity; by deception or imposition; by palming off a bad for a good article, or unduly boasting of its excellence; by pretending to sell "at a great sacrifice," and yet exacting the full price; by nefarious compounds,

or what is called "the trickery in trade?" Again, on the part of the buyer, how often are the things which he wishes, and cannot want, disgracefully depreciated, contrary to his secret conviction, so that he may enjoy the supposed triumph and honour of "getting a bargain!" How often, also, are debts shamefully contracted without the remotest intention of paying them, although "large promises" are made to that effect! While in reference, therefore to the unjust seller, it may be said, in the words of Scripture, "a false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just balance is his delight," of the unjust buyer it is no less true, that he virtually exclaims, "it is naught, it is naught; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth;" and to both the divine admonition may be addressed, "put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes." What God, also, said of Israel of old, is no less applicable to many still, "thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbour by extortion, and hast forgotten me; behold, therefore, I have smitten mine hands at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made; thy princes in the midst of thee are like wolves ravening the prey to get dishonest gain." For, not merely on a small but on a large scale, much of the wealth of many who have a nominal place in the Church, as well

CHAPTER VI.

NON-CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD

IN PURLOINING.

"Though darkness now be all about
The pilf'ring deed, a hand of might
Shall drag it into open light;

'Be sure your sin will find you out.””

ALL true Christians must, also, "not be conformed to this world" in the practice of any thing like purloining, or pilfering. We need scarcely remark, that all overt acts of stealing or theft, like similar acts of injustice or dishonesty, are abstractly reprobated by all in the strongest terms. So, at least, it is with all who have any regard even for "the gloss of respectability," as well as with those who have a religious reputation to maintain. On this account, the brand of a thief, in any sense, is sufficient to exclude from all decent society, as well as from all confidential situations. Still, how often does it happen, as it appears from the newspapers of the day, that through the power of temptation, as well as from the depravity of the human heart, many high in place in the world, and high in standing in the

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