Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/53

Rh mean one had taken deep root in your infant minds.

When I ſpeak of falſehood, I mean every kind; whatever tends to deceive, though not ſaid in direct terms. Tones of voice, motions of the hand or head, if they make another believe what they ought not to believe, are lies, and of the worſt kind; becauſe the contrivance aggravates the guilt. I would much ſooner forgive a lie told directly, when perhaps fear entirely occupied the thoughts, and the preference of God was not felt; for it is His ſacred Majeſty that you affront by telling an untruth.

How ſo? enquired Mary.

Becauſe you hope to conceal your falsehood from every human creature: but, if you conſider a moment, you muſt recollect that the Searcher of hearts reads your very thoughts; that nothing is hid from him.

You would bluſh if I were to diſcover that you told a lie; yet wantonly forfeit the favour of Him, from whom you have received life and all its bleſſings, to ſcreen yourſelves from correction or reproof; or, Rh