Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-03-21
From the CatskilI Recorder.
CHRISTIAN DUTIES.

DR.. Chalmers has recently given to the
public the first OF series of chapters Oh
( the christian and ciuic economy Of large
t0was.'' Its object is, TO point out the in
flueDce Of religion, and The character of
its ministers, as well over the multitude of
crowded cities, as over the scattered pop
uiation Of retired villages. The salutary
effects Of an habitual aud social intercourse
between those Of the higher aud lower
walks Of life, are appropriately set forth;
and Tie practice OF the simple duties of
charity, 10 these humble visiiations, warm
Ely and eloqaenlly urged. "They know
nothing Of this department of our nalure.
Says Blackwood) who are blind TO the
truth o. the position-that out Of the SIM
pie elements OF attention. aud advice, and
civility and good will, conveyed through
The tenemeDts of The poor, by men little
more elevated in rank than themselves,
far more purifying and even more gracious
operation can be made TO descend upon
them, than ever will be achieved by any
etber Of the ministralions of charity. In
I'll cities, purely commercial, there is a
mighty and fulfilled space interposed be-
tween the high and the low, in consequence
of which they are naturally blind TO the
real cordialities and attractions which be-
long TO each other, and resentfuI feeling
is too apt to be fostered, either of disdain
or defiance. To destroy all such unhap-
Ply feelings of luminosity or repugnance, 10
better plan can be devised than 10 multi
ply he agents of christianity, whose de-
light il may be TO go forth among the peo-
pie, on no other errand than that of pure
good will, and with no other ministrations
han those of respect and tenderness" DIR.
Chalmers closes his argument Oh this SUBJ
ject, with the following paragraph Ed.
!" There is one lesson we need nc. teach,
for experience has already taught it, aud
that is,the kindly influence which the mere
presence Of human being has upon bis
fellows. Let the attention you bestow
upon another be the genuine emanation of
good willard there is only one thing
more 10 make it irresistible. The readiest
way 10 find access to mans heart is to go
10 his honse--and there to perform the
deed OF kindness, or to acquit yourself of
the wonted and the looked for acknowl-
edgment. BY putting yourself under the
roof of poor neighbor, you in manner
put yourself under his protectio1---you
render him for the time your superior
you throw your reception on bis generosi-
ty, aud be assured that it is confidence
which will almost never fail you. Ifchris-
tianiiy be the errand on which you move,
il will open for you the door Of every FAM
lily and even the profane and profligate
will come to recognize the worth Of that
principle which prompts the unwearied as
|siduily OF your services. By every cir
cult which you make amongst them, you
will attain higher vantage ground of mo-
raj and spiritual infiuence--and in spite Of
all that has been said of the ferocity of
city population, be assured that, in your
rounds of visitation, you will meet with
none OF it, even among the lowest recepta-
cles of human worthlessness. This is the
home walk in which you earn, if not
proud, at ieasta peaceful popularity-the
popularity of the heart--the greetings Of
men who, touched even by your cheapest
aud easiest services of kindness, have no.
thing to give but their wishes of Kindness
back again; but 10 giving these, have
crowned your pious attention with the only
popularity that is worthy the aspiring af
ter--the popularity that is won ia the bo-
som OF families, and at the side of death
BEDS"