Editorial August 6, 1910 Issue

"WITH EVERY SECRET THING"

John B. Willis

David's prayer, "Cleanse thou me from secret faults," seems peculiarly fitting when we remember how grievously he had sinned "against light," against the truth taught by Moses when he said, "Thou hast set our iniquities ... in the light of thy countenance," and today we all need to learn, even as did our fathers, that "there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known."

History will undoubtedly record the fact that the pride of mortal sense never seemed more confident of its cleverness than at the opening of the twentieth century, and that the consequent temptation to do unideal things "on the sly," to shape conduct with regard for the ignorance of our neighbors, rather than for "the all-seeing eye," was apparently never more seductive and influential. Far better, perhaps, than did the ancient worthies, do all intelligent believers know today that however refined its subtlety, however careful its self-covering, wrong-doing can find no hiding-place in the light of Truth; that while men may fool their fellows many times, they can deceive God not in the least.

And yet, how often are the professed followers of the Nazarene led to ignore the Christ-ideal,—yes, even common morality,—both in their private life and in the realm of business, provided the questionable course or transaction is generally indulged in and they are reasonably certain that their deed will not become known. They are willing to hazard the judgment of God if they are sure of escaping the judgment of men, and the outcome of this masked living is well described by the Master when he says, "If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" When one consents to shape his conduct with regard for his reputation, rather than for his integrity, he is foolishly indifferent to the words of the apostle, "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ."

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