by the falsifier, there is a forfeiture of the confidence of his fellow-men, who justly regard him as setting aside the only safe rules of social intercourse. Falsehood is always designed to deceive, sometimes for amusement, but more frequently from motives of selfinterest. All fiction is not falsehood, for there are cases in which it may be resorted to for the purpose of illustrating right principles, and inculcating good morals, as in fables, allegories, and tales; but all falsehood is fiction, assuming the semblance of truth, for purposes of deception. In the word of God, lying is presented as one of the incontestable evidences of human depravity. "The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray speaking lies." Early evidence of this is given in children, who, to hide a fault or to escape punishment, will readily invent a lie. Wise and careful instruction may counteract this propensity, but when neglected and overlooked, "it grows with the growth and strengthens with the strength." Where the influence of moral restraint is not felt, falsehood becomes familiar, and is without compunction resorted to on all convenient occasions, when temporary interests seem to be subserved by it. How fearfully prevalent is this vice in affairs of business! It becomes the art of traffickers, by which bargains are made and gains secured. In trade, every one is taught to be wary, on account of the commonness of the practice; and it is to be feared that it is the few and not the many, who are to be credited on their simple word.

Lies sometimes originate in vanity as well as in worldly interest, and then they are made the vehicle of self-glorification. It is a contemptible fame which a man acquires by pretension to qualities which he

does not possess; or by boasting of achievements which he never performed.

Another class of lies springs from malice. The tattler and slanderer present melancholy examples, when they engage in their diabolical work of damaging the reputation of others. With just so much foundation in truth as to give a colourable aspect to their tales, they accomplish by inuendoes or exaggerations their base purpose; and, without enriching themselves, impoverish others, who, in the loss of character, lose their all. In a moral point of view, the malicious liar is unspeakably more odious than the vain or mercenary

one.

A lie is ordinarily expressed in words; but it may be as effectually told by a look, the pointing of a finger, or the suppression of some part of the truth. Examples of these will readily suggest themselves to the reflecting reader.

There is one form of lying, however, which is peculiarly offensive in the sight of God; it is that which relates to a false pretence in religion, and is a lie of hypocrisy. Religion may be professed where the reality does not exist, from sheer ignorance and without intention to deceive; this is properly called self-deception; but religious character is often assumed in form from unjustifiable motives, and with the view of deceiving others; and this is hypocrisy. He that will thus lie, not only to man, but to God, who cannot be deceived, incurs a fearful responsibility. The cases of Judas, Ananias and Sapphira, are placed on record to show God's abhorrence of the wilful hypocrite.

Falsehood, in all its modifications, is opposed to the divine law; and in the holy Scriptures, the displeasure

of God is, with remarkable frequency, pronounced against it. It is certainly accompanied with great inconvenience and loss of reputation here to those who practise it; but its heaviest punishment is yet in reserve, for "liars shall have their portion in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone," and "there shall in no wise enter into heaven anything that defileth or worketh abomination or that maketh a lie."

My soul, learn to abhor the lying lips. Let no motive of worldly interest induce thee to deceive thy neighbour. Honour and safety are alike connected with truthfulness, and every temptation to deviate from the simplicity of truth should be studiously resisted. How much dost thou need the grace of God, to purge out from thee the dispositions which naturally incline to falsehood! It is the love of the world that leads to mercenary lies; it is self-conceit which induces lies of self-glorification; it is envy and malice which originate slanderous lies; it is unbelief which leads to lies of hypocrisy. A pure heart will be accompanied by guileless lips. Aim, therefore, to cleanse the fountain, that the streams may be pure. Above all, maintain truth between thyself and God. Resort to no vain disguises before Him, who knoweth the secrets of all hearts. Let all thy professions of love, duty, and obedience, be sincere; and let thy conscience be void of offence to God and man, that thou mayest ever be able, with conscious rectitude, to make thy appeal to the Searcher of hearts.

DECEIT.

HE that hateth, dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death.

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

DECEIT and falsehood are closely allied, bearing the same relation to each other, as the fountain to the stream. The one implies the other. The deceitful are always false, and falsehood is designed to conceal deceit, a vice which none are willing to avow. Deceit supposes a fair and plausible exterior, which has no correspondence with the inward feelings. While the manner is friendly, the heart is hostile; while honeyed words drop from the lips, hate dwells in the soul. The whole life of a deceitful person is a practical lie. With some sinister purpose to accomplish, he will disguise his real sentiments; and by strong professions, bland and winning manners, and a display of seeming interest, completely hoodwink and impose on others. How many have thus won confidence, which they afterwards betrayed! Common and despicable as the vice is, we should not suppose that sincerity and friendship are extinct; because some have proved false, all are not to be distrusted. Deceit sooner or later leads to its own

detection. The most consummate art will at times so relax its watchfulness, as to let the true character be seen through the disguise. A man may speak fair, dissemble with his lips, and cover the hatred of his heart; but his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. In the domestic relations, how often is deceit resorted to, to cover crime between husband and wife, parents and children, employers and domestics! Its detection is often the cause of domestic strife, and of alienation and disunion.

Never does this vice wear a more odious aspect than when found in professed religious teachers, who assume an air of sanctity, and by flattering speeches, propagate their errors to the ruin of the souls of men. The word of God frequently refers to such, as "deceivers and deceitful workers, who transform themselves into apostles of Christ, and by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple." Heretics in all ages of the church have proved themselves to be masters in the art of deceit; and the success of their efforts, in no small degree, depends on the skill with which they personate the ambassadors of God. Verily they have their reward. The more successful here, the more terrible their retribution hereafter.

My soul, let sincerity characterize all thy social intercourse with thy fellow-men, and all thy intercourse with God. As thou prayest against a false tongue, so pray against a deceitful heart. As a Christian, thou shouldst imitate the blessed Jesus, who was never obsequious in courting the favour of the great, was free from guile, ever appeared in his true character; and who was so constant in his affection, that having loved his own, he loved them to the end. With him profes