If they do obey us, it will
be only before our faces, and from fear. If they see us doing only
what we like, when our backs are turned they will do what they like.
And worse will come than their not respecting us--they will learn
not to respect God. If they see that we do not respect truth and
honesty, they will not respect truth and honesty; and he who does
not respect them, does not respect God. They will learn to look on
religion as a sham. If we are inconsistent, they will be profane.
But some may say--'I have no power; and I want none. I have no
people under me for whom I am responsible.'
Then, if you think that you need not be honest and brave for your
own sake, or for other peoples' sake, be honest and brave for God's
sake.
Do you ask what I mean? I mean this. Recollect that truth belongs
to God. That if a thing is true, it is true because God made it so,
and not otherwise; and therefore, if you deny truth, you fight
against God. If you are honest, and stand up for truth, you stand
up for God, and what God has done.
And recollect this, too. If a thing be right for you to do, God has
made it right, and God wills you to do it; and, therefore, if you do
not do your duty, you are fighting against God; and if you do your
duty, you are a fellow-worker with God, fulfilling God's will.
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