“G. H. E.” We deeply sympathize with you. It is very sad to think of the amount of deceit and corruption to be met with every day, and that, too, amongst professors of religion. Your path is plain, dear friend. Do not tell a lie for all the employers and situations in the world. A good conscience is more valuable than ten thousand situations. You are bound to promote your employer's interest in every way, so far as the claims of your heavenly Master will admit; but we cannot see how any one's true interest can be promoted by telling lies; it may produce a little temporary gain, but it is contemptible gain, such as no honest man, to say nothing of Christianity, could ever desire to make. We feel persuaded that thoroughly upright dealing is the best in the long run. Honesty is the only solid foundation in trade or in anything else. We should much rather go to a man whose goods advertise him, than to a man who advertises his goods. The system of “puffing” is quite beneath a respectable tradesman; and no sensible person would like to go a second time to a shop where the young men are almost compelled to sell black for white in order to keep their situation. Such a system must prove as ruinous to the true commercial interests of the house as it assuredly is to the morals of the young men. As to the solemn matter of your giving up your calling in order to preach the gospel, it must be entirely between you and your Lord. It is a most serious step. If you are in the habit of preaching—if God has given you a distinct gift, and an earnest love for souls—if you are blessed in your work—if you find your calling a positive hindrance, and that you have faith to cast yourself wholly on the Lord, He will never fail you. There is real need of gifted earnest workmen; but let no one venture forth upon the waters unless God has given him faith to walk there. We have known some who thus ventured out, but they very soon broke down.