BE TRUE, 


AND YOU WILL BE TRUSTED.


 

WHEN Lord Wellington was commander of an array in India, a certain rich man offered him five hundred thousand dollars for some secret information upon a very important question. Wellington looked thoughtful a few moments, as if he was weighing the temptation; but he was only considering the best way to answer his tempter. At length he said, "'It appears that you can keep a secret, sir?'

"'Certainly,' replied the man, feeling sure that he had gained his purpose.

"'So can I,' rejoined Wellington. 'Good morning, sir,' and the man went away with a chopfallen air."

Here was a man who would not be bribed for half a million dollars. That is a large sum of money, is it not, children? 

Would you have refused it under like circumstances?

We have read of a little girl only eleven years old who once overcame nearly as great a temptation as did Lord Wellington in refusing the half million dollars. The particulars, as nearly as we can remember, are as follows: 

Barbara, which was her name, was a child actress in a theater. Her father, once a prosperous physician, had been ruined by strong drink, and he was contest to use the scanty pittance earned by his daughter, for the support of his family. It was unfortunate that Barbara had no better place than a theater, but she tried always to do her work well, which gave satisfaction to her employer.

The paymaster for the theater was old, absent-minded, and forgetful, and upon one occasion gave Barbara double her usual allowance. As soon as she discovered the error, she thought to take it back; but the tempter whispered, "What a nice dinner this extra sum will give you tomorrow; then, too, it will help you to purchase clothing for the family. The paymaster is forgetful, and even if he should miss the money, he would not remember it; keep it for yourselves."

Now this family, which consisted of several members, was very destitute, and the thought that the overpay would supply some of the comforts of life would make the temptation, in the "Philosopher's Scales," very weighty. Did she yield? 

No, indeed! Although she was not instructed religiously, she had a conscience, to whose voice she listened, and returned the money to the paymaster. Did she not prove herself true and trusty?

Boys and girls, be true, and you will be trusted every time. You will never want for friends, or for a situation, if you prove yourselves true, not for once, we do not mean; but by having an established principle never to be bought to do an unjust act. Resolve that for millions of money you will never betray the confidence reposed in you; and then, with God's grace to assist, you may come off victorious over every temptation, and occupy positions of trust and usefulness. 





M. J. C.

 









  Be True Always


THE following good advice on the subject of truthfulness is which we hope will be carefully heeded: 

There are persons whom you can always believe, because you know they have the habit of telling the truth. They do not "color" a story, or enlarge a bit of news in order to make it sound fine or remarkable.

There are others whom yon hardly know whether to believe or not, because they "stretch" things so. A trifling incident grows in size, but not in quality, by passing through their mouths. They take a small fact or slender bit of news, and pad it with added words, and paint it with high-colored adjectives, until it is largely unreal and gives a false impression. One does not like to listen to people when so much must be "allowed for shrinkage."

Cultivate the habit of telling the truth in little things as well as in great ones. Pick your words wisely, and use only such as mean just what you wish to say. Never  “stretch" a story or a fact to make it seem bigger or funnier. Be truthful and people will learn to trust you and respect you. 

This will be better than having a name for telling wonderful stories or making foolishly or falsely "funny" remarks. There are enough true funny things happening in the world, and they are most entertaining when told just exactly as they came to pass. One has well said, 

"Never deceive for the sake of a foolish jest, or to excite the laughter of a few companions at the expense of a friend."

Dear young friends, be true. Do the truth. Tell the truth. There are many false tongues. Let yours speak the things that are pure, lovely, and true.





 S. S. Advocate