The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-08-04
ICOMMUNICATED.
Robert Owen.

"But I say unto you, love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, to good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which de-
spitefullv use you and persecute you; that ye
may be the children of your father which is
in heaven"
Robert Owen has been charged with hold
ing anti-christain principles; this opinion
cannot be founded on either his public or
private conduct, both of which, it is said by
even his enemies, is strictly in accord
ance with the precepts of the gospel.
The following anecdote, which we have
from undoubtcd authority, is illustrative Of
his general character.
Shortly after his community at New Har-
mony had got into operation, it was visited
by several clergymen, who requested per-
mission to preach, which was readily grant
ed and, the people according to notice as
sembled to hear sermon, and Robert at
tended with them One of the clergymcn
preached sermon Of considerable leu9thi
in which he undertook to prove that " Rob
crt Owen was anti-christ the son OF Beial'
and child of the devil: that those who join
ed his community were deceived: that he was
leading them down the broad road to hell;
and if they dill not forsake him, but contnu-
ed to follow hin, he would land them all i'll
eternal pcrdition. That having great So
licitation for the salvation of their immortal
souls, and knowing the dangerous situation
in which they had ignorant!y placed them
selves, he felt it to DC his religious and i'm
pcrious duty to warn them OF their danger
Gus situation"
When the clergyman had finished his dis
course, which was continued throughout in
nearly the same strain, one Of the communi-
ty, not re,ishing the doctrine nor fully APP
preciating the kind intentions Of the preach
cr Of glad tidings; who had not been in
the community long enough to be disciplin-
ed in Mr.. Owens system OF kindness and
charity; rose, and with some indignation
proposed to expel the clergyman from the
village; and several others evinced dispo-
sition to second his views; but Mr.. Owen
rose and checked their warmth by the fol-
lowing charitable and truly christian like ad-
dress.
"My friends, yc know not what spirit
We are of, is this the way in which you would
requitc this man fer expressing his honest
and conscientious sentiments? | have no
doubt but that he believes what he has told
us, and has he not right to express his opn-
ion he thinks that l am in an error. My
opinion is different from his, and think that
he is in an error; but 7yho is 10 Judge be-
f.rccn u.s.? The only correct standard BY
which we can be judged, is our works, and let
them bear witness which of us is right. So fal
from feeling any enmity towards this man,
for what he has said, i will go to him and
cheerfully take him by the hand as a bro
ther."
He accordingly went to the preacher
and took him by the hand; and thus the peo-
pie were edited; and the preacher was con-
founded and overcome by the kind feelings
expressed towards him, by the man whom
he had Just before called "Anti-christ, and
the child of the devil
"A coed tree bringeth forth good fruit, but
a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit ;
7vhcrrtore, by their fruits shall ye Ano7o
them."
, We cannot judge of the tree by the exu--
berance Of its foliage, and the profusion of its
blossoms; it may have both and bear no fruit.