The Providence News

"ETHICS OF THE LIE" THE TOPIC

New York, Jan. 22.—To his Bible class at the Fifth Avenue Baptist church in East Forty-sixth street yesterday morning John D. Rockefeller, Jr., continued his discussion of the ethics and religious import of the lie, arriving at the conclusion that a lie is never justifiable under any circumstances.

The subject was begun two weeks ago, but Mr. Rockefeller was absent last Sunday, owing to the death of President Harper of Chicago University.

Mr. Rockefeller based his remarks on a little book by Dr. H. C. Trumbull, the editor of the Sunday School Times, entitled, "A Lie Never Justifiable."

He argued that "the spirit of primitive man is opposed to lying, and always has been," and that "unquestionably the Bible is on the side of truth."

The definition of a lie he gives as "the denying of that which is true or affirming that which is untrue, either in word or in act with the intent to deceive."

Mr. Rockefeller contended that the essence of a lie is this intent to deceive, and agreed with Dr. Trumbull in omitting from the definition any "redeeming clause justifying any sort of lie."

A man on the witness stand swears to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but in our daily life Mr. Rockefeller believes there seems to be justification for the concealment of facts which another has no right to know. Still there must be no deception—the concealment must not be carried out by means of a lie.

Concealment of truth may be not only a right, but a duty—even a man with a tear in his coat may patch the rent to conceal it from the world and be doing right. But should that man attempt to deceive a purchaser with a patched coat then his action would be a lie and unjustifiable.

Mr. Rockefeller stated that the weight of opinion is that the so-called "lie of necessity" is never justifiable. In the case of severe illness Mr. Rockefeller asked if there is not a middle course by which the physician may give satisfaction with an answer which is truthful so far as it goes, but which does not tell the whole truth.

But a physician who lies loses the confidence of his patients. Would it not be better to sacrifice life if necessary? Yes, I'll say that—even sacrifice life, rather than lose the confidence of his patients.

Saying that any lie is justifiable is saying that God is not all powerful; that He is at times unable to work out His plans in His own way, and that at these times we are forced to go over to the enemy for aid. "We must leave Thy banner, O God, but will come back and stand under it when we can."

Isn't the principle worth the life? continued Mr. Rockefeller. I cannot but believe it is. Early Christians gave their life for the truth, and what a wonderful influence they have had.