Editorial November 1, 1919 Issue

Preference in Honor

William P. McKenzie

DAYS were when if a lad were questioned regarding a tale told or orders transmitted and he backed his assertion by saying, "Honour bright," any doubting disappeared. In those days the word was longer than now; it was spelled with an additional letter by the press as it is the Bible; but the modification of spelling should not modify the essential meaning of the word. Honor connects itself always with truth. A man's honor is the reality, the affirmative excellence of his character. If any man falls into temptation and becomes dishonorable for profit then his honor for a time disappears and he is temporarily not trusted or valued.

Mrs. Eddy quotes the reply which Aristotle made when asked what a person gained by falsehood, which was, "Not to be credited when he shall tell the truth." And then she makes the comment (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 226), "The character of a liar and hypocrite is so contemptible, that even of those who have lost their honor it might be expected that from the violation of truth they should be restrained by their pride." It is very essential that at certain times it shall be possible to trust to honor. Indeed, the simple directions given by Paul to the Romans, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord,"—this admonition if it were regarded and obeyed would be a complete solution for the human problems of the hour, the strife between capital and labor, worker and employer, guild and union with other guilds and unions, class against class, one self-interest against another.

Families which have protected their honor for generations unquestionably valued honor far above material things. Having suffered the loss of many things in maintaining it they are ready to attribute to others like character, and to trust to their honor, judging not by that which is outward, but estimating aright that which is within. This call of faith and right expectation is responded to, as a rule, because it is only depraved natures that will take advantage of the faith and fair dealing of others. Such persons in a community are like criminals, and it is better that they should be found out and exposed. In faith, then, may be found the solvent for the difficulties about leaguing the nations or accomplishing the federation of the world. That which opposes is distrust and fear. Men justify fear out of the past in the same way that they justify the experience of disease from tradition; but the better thinkers of the hour do not hold to the necessity of inevitable evil, even though they may only admit the possiblity of good.

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