Conscious Integrity a Preservative from Evil
Psalm xxv. 2l. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me.
It is a narrow and miserable policy to expect to be the gainers by doing wrong. It shows very little acquaintance with the government of God, and no confidence in God himself, ever to persuade ourselves that it is unsafe to do that which is right, or better, or happier to neglect our duty than to perform it.
It is stated of the Prince of Conde, a zealous Protestant, that having received a message from Charles IX., the King of France, to choose one of three things, — either to attend the mass, or be put to death, or suffer perpetual banishment, — he replied, “The first, God helping me, / never will choose; but for the other two, I leave it to the choice of the king.” To do right sometimes requires great self-denial, and greater sacrifices than men are willing to make. Reputation, property, the loss of employment, and of places of honor and profit, and the loss of friends, are sometimes jeoparded by unflinching and unblemished integrity. Men, for the most part, sit down and make their calculations in order to ascertain whether it is safer for them to follow the dictates of an enlightened conscience, in the performance of whatever their duty leads them to perform, or to pursue the opposite course, and leave it undone Yet we think we shall be borne out in the declaration, that they never injure themselves so much, as when they swerve from the path of strict rectitude and integrity; and never so hazard their influence, their good name, their property, their friends, and the good-will, confidence, and kind offices of their fellow-men, as by a loose and dispirited morality.
It is a beautiful thought of the Psalmist, “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me!” If a man cannot be safe in doing what is right, he had better expose himself to danger; because an approving conscience and an approving God, are worth more to him than all the temporary inconvenience and suffering to which he may be subjected for doing what is right. There is, in the long run of human affairs, no such security in the world, as is found in a man’s conscious integrity. Be he ever so wise, his superior wisdom and discretion are not half so sure a safeguard as his integrity. Be he ever so rich and honorable, his wealth and station can never throw such a shield about him as his integrity. He is never so much at ease, and never feels that he has so little cause for suspicion and watchfulness, as when he has the high and honest consciousness of personal integrity.
This is a most enviable state of mind. And it is one which may be enjoyed. It is alike attainable by the rich and the poor, by the wise and the unwise, the base and the honorable, seamen and landsmen. And it is attainable by a very simple and intelligible way; and that is, by the performance of acknowledged duty. It is this, — this firm integrity, this strong and bold adherence to what is right, that puts a man beyona the reach of danger. Such a course of conduct may seem to be hazardous; it may indeed be attended with temporary inconvenience, and even suffering; yet is it in the end always the safe course, — the only safe course for time and eternity. z
But what is integrity? It must be something more than a name, a notion, a fancy. There are very false notions of it in the world; some men and some nations deem that to be right, which other men, and other nations, deem to be wrong. The maxims of a world that lieth in wickedness, the laws and customs of society; the usages of merchants and mariners are not always the safe rule of right. There is but one rule, and that is the word of God; what that requires is right, what that forbids is wrong. This rule is equally applicable to all beings and all worlds, to all nations, all climates, all seas, and all men.
With the Bible in their hands, it is no difficult matter for men to come at the knowledge of what it requires, and what it forbids. A well-informed conscience and an honest heart, will always direct them. I say, a well-informed conscience, and an honest heart; for without both of these, they will be very apt to go astray. They never act right in doing that which is contrary to the dictates of their own conscience; nor, in following the dictates of their conscience, do they act right unless they follow these dictates from an honest and right heart. Conscience may be perverted and biassed; and there are not wanting instances in which some sin fearfully from the impulse of a misguided conscience. Conscience, in order to be a safe guide, must be under the direction of a right heart, and a right spirit. It is only right-hearted men who can always trust to their consciences to guide them. Conscience is a stubborn thing, and if under the controlling influence of a wicked heart, is sure to make shipwreck of a man’s integrity. It is not a true chart alone that conducts the mariner to his destined port; his compass must be true, and its aim steady and single to the pole. It is not enough that the ship obeys her rudder; her sails must be spread to the wind, and a favorable breeze must blow. A wrong heart is to human life what an adverse current is to the ship’s course. She may head her true course, and seem to promise a safe voyage, while a subtle and unobserved current is driving her to the lee-shore. So the impulse under which a man acts, the stray current of his own feelings and spirit, are always to be taken into the account when he sits in judgment upon his integrity. When men act from an honest conscience, and a holy Christian spirit, they always act right, and are approved of God.
Such integrity is safe; and, in the final result, it will always be found to be the only true and safe course.
Consider a moment the force and clearness with which this thought is established by the word of God. “He that walketh uprightly,” says the inspired author of the Book of Proverbs, “walketh surely,’’” Thou wilt keep him,” says the Prophet, “in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” “They that trust in the Lord,” says the Psalmist, “sludl be as Mount Zion, which cannot he removed, but abideth forever.” It is the voice of Divine Wisdom which says, “Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely.’’^ And the Apostle Peter, addressing the saints that were scattered abroad in a dark, corrupting, and persecuting age of the world, says to them, “Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”
Consider, also, that true integrity of character enjoys the favor and protection of Almighty God. Who would not rather have all the world for his enemies, and God Almighty for his friend; than all the world his friends, and God Almighty for his enemy? When Abraham was exposed to trials, and sufferings, and enemies, because of his stern and self-denying integrity, God Almighty said to him, “Fear not, Abraham, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Abraham was not afraid. And who would be, if he could only hear the God of Heaven address him in such language as this? And does he not address every good man in just such language? Does he not say, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth, to show himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him?” He is everywhere present, and his arms are their eternal guard. He instructs us too plainly on this subject to be misunderstood, “He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” He knows the trials to which men are exposed by their integrity; he knows where they are, and when they most need his care. He approves, when others disapprove their conduct; he loves, when others hate and would injure them; and he stands ready to prevent, or remove the evils to which they are exposed. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him, in well doing, as to a faithful Creator.” If God be for us, who can be against us? The favor and protection of God are enough to counterbalance, if they do not always counteract and prevent, all the evil which his friends may suffer on account of their adherence to his commands. “Fear not them,” says the blessed Saviour, “which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” If we were firm in the faith, that there is a God in heaven who ruleth among the children of men, we should be better satisfied in doing what is right, and leaving the consequences with him. Duty is ours; events are God’s.
Look now at the history of good men, and see if, as a matter of fact, they have not been remarkably preserved and blessed for their integrity. Read the history of Noah, when the earth was deluged by the flood; of Lot, when fire from heaven consumed the cities of the plain: of Joseph and Moses, amid the perils of Egypt; of Joshua and Caleb, when the providence of God so interposed, because of their fidelity the whole congregation of Israel were about to stone them with stones; of David, in the family of Saul; of Elijah, defended from the fury of the wicked and cruel Ahab; of Jeremiah, in the dungeon; of Shadrac, Meshach, and Abednego, miraculously rescued from the burning fiery furnace; of Daniel, delivered from the lions’ den, and elevated to *?)e highest honors of the proudest of empires; and of
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thousands of others of whom the world was not worthy. Good men are a Uttle flock; but they are cared for by the Shepherd of Israel. Everywhere exposed, they have still been kept as the apple of his eye. They have been like the bush on Horeb, “burning, but not consumed.” If they were of the world, the world would love his own; but because they are chosen out of the world, therefore the world hateth them. Yet they live; they have been preserved from age to age; and though opposed more than any other community, they are safe. Their defence is the munition of rocks; bread shall be given them, and their water shall be sure. The church of God is not a favorite with the world. “Mine heritage,” says he, “is a speckled bird; the birds round about her are against her.” She has not lived and prospered, because she ha* found a refuge in arm of flesh. She has had no superiority to boast of; instead of being superior, she has been few in numbers; instead of being superior, she has been weak in strength; the numbers, the power, the learning, the influence of the world, have been against her. Yet God is for her; and therefore, more are they that are for her, than they that are against her.
There is also a remarkable fact in regard to men of Christian integrity, that speaks volumes in their favor, and in proof of their ultimate security. It is, that after all which wicked men say, and do against them, they possess their respect and esteem. Their character and conduct extorts veneration, even from the worst of men. Their very virtues often tie up the hands of their enemies, and quench their malice. There is a beauty and comeliness in their integrity which command confidence. Men who are dishonest and vicious themselves, and flee from duty at the first approach of danger, speak of them, and trust them as they do not speak of and trust in others. There is a dignity and power about them which impresses and awes. They may not dazzle, like the glittering pageants of the world; but they are esteemed, they are held in unrivalled estimation; and when the laurels of a Ceesar and a Napoleon shall fade, theirs shall be fresh and green, and when the trophies of heroes shall have perished, theirs shall live, and grow brighter even with the wreck of time. Neither the devouring tooth of malice, nor of time, can waste them. They approve themselves to the consciences of men. “When the ear hears them, it blesses them; and when the eye sees them, it gives witness to them; because they delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that hath no helper.” Men need not be afraid of being honest and true. They shall be the more honored for it, even by their enemies. Their integrity is their security; and, far more than anything else, tends to disarm the power and insolence of those who would rise up against them, to put to silence the foolishness of wicked men, to recommend the integrity they practise, and convince the world of its reality, its divine origin, and its importance. There is one strong objection to all that has been said. I hear some of you say, that the integrity of men has not always preserved them. Stephen was stoned; James and John were beheaded; the church at Jerusalem was scattered abroad by persecution; and in every age, good men have, to a greater or less degree, been the sufferers for their piety. Yes, it is so. They have often been suffeiers for their integrity; but have they been the losers? What if they do sometimes suffer; may not their sufferings turn to good account, and may not the time come when they will be abundantly recompensed for them all? Is it not a truth, that “all things work together for good to them that love God? and that these light afflictions which are but for a moment, shall work out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory?”
Be this, then, one of the maxims of every seaman, “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me!” I have known seamen who were bold and courageous in doing wrong, but who were very fearful and faint-hearted to do right. I have known those whom no ridicule, and no shame, and no reproach could deter from sin, but who were ashamed to do right, — ashamed to stand single and alone when their companions were going to scenes of wickedness, — ashamed to be seen with the Bible in their hands, or in the house of God.
It is most desirable that the character of seamen should be altered, and elevated in this particular, and that they should be hold for the right. There is nothing else worth being bold for. The seaman’s character would become a noble character, should it become a virtuous and religious character. They would have vast influence, and of the noblest kind. Nothing would shake their courage, nothing weaken their strength; and to all wickedness, they would be “terrible as an army with banners.”
“Who art thou then, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass, and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?” Shame on the sailor that is afraid to do his duty on sea, or on land, toward his fellow-men, or toward his Maker! The “east wind shall carry him away, and he departeth. God shall cast upon him and shall not spare. Men shall clap their hands at him, and hiss him out of his place.” The fear of man bringeth a snare. Fear God and keep his commandments; yea, I say unto you, fear him!
Now to God only wise, be glory and dominion forever. Amen.