| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 18 |
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There can be no really veiled sins. True, from men’s eyes they may be concealed for a time. The dishonest man may cover his embezzlements from those at the desk beside him. The faithless husband or wife may hide from the other the faithlessness that so stains the sacredness of holy wedlock. But no veil hides the sin from the offender’s own conscience – none hides it from God. What miserable folly it is to live a hollow life, with only a flimsy rag covering sin and guilt! The only worthy life is one which is open to all the world, which has no secrets that would bring a blush to the cheek if they were suddenly proclaimed on the housetop.
But there are veils which are not intended to conceal plots or secret wickedness. St. Paul says, “If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” We imagine that we know each other, because we have lived in very close relations for a long time. We speak of knowing a man perfectly. But really we know no one perfectly. Every life is veiled from every eye. The concealment may not be intentional, but from the very nature of life it is impossible for us to know any other person in more than a general and superficial way. We cannot see the motives which are back of actions, nor the reasons for the things our closest friend does. If we judge from appearances, we shall judge ignorantly, perhaps harshly and unjustly.
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