American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-03
ry Wilson, No. 1Oo, Market Street.
Volume v.
FROM THE RELIGIOUS MESSENGER.

Il
H IS naught, naugh saith The buyer bur 4shen he il
gone his svay, he 6oasteth." Prov. IL. Ia.
is evident from this passage tha, the same pas
slons and propensities have swayed the human
character, and influenced the conduct of mankind,
IN all ages Was there ever period in which
man was not governed by the love of gain +? or a
nation that did not love money? The passion for it
has kindled half the wars, ancient and modern, that
have deiuged the earth with blood In most in
Stances It is at the bottom of family quarreIs and
private animosities and has filed lails and places
OF punishment, with their unhappy inmates, and
wretched subjects. 1t has cost many poor crca-
ture his reputation, his life, and his soul. To ac.
q6re and to possess IT. has led to instances
OF prostraton of moral sentiment and alteration Of
conduct from those principles established both by
religion and honour II is not, however, III wars,
IN family quarrels in high way robberies, and mur.
ders, only, that seek for the predominance
of this passion. Its effect is seen in the influence
that II exerts on the common concerns of life and
OF business. And, perhaps, in no does it ap-
pear more fully, than in the estimate men place
upon an article they would purchase, and on the
same article, when they possess it, or would sell it,
The SIM In this last instance, is the greater because
1t is sort OF every day work. How difficult is it
to find purchaser of any commodity, within the
shop, in the market on the exchange, without
having the words of Solomon brought forcihy into
our recollection Il is naught, it is naught saith
the buyer, but when he Is gone his way, he boast
eth" Now, this conduct is knife that has two
edges. 1t cuts off all the good properties Of the
article to be bought With edge, and all its defects
with the other, when it is possessed or again to be
disposed of; and has this further effect n prepa.
ring man for another enterprizc Of the same kind,
It has wounded his conscience He boasteth Of
what doth he boastp Why of the great bargain
he has made. And by what means did he make
this profitable bargain? Why, by undertaking the
goods of his neighbour, and by taking advantage
either of his ignorance, or his pressing necessity.
And he then boasteh Yes, he saith, in sixty or in
ninety days, will realize thirty three and third,
on my speculation. Now, we ask this knavish dis.
ciple OF mammon, why he thus acted? And how
came 1t to pass that the article, in one hour increass
&C in value rapidly! Thus the man may act,
who fears not God nor regards the day of righteous
retributon; but so the pious Christian can never
act. The man who processes religion only, may do
these things, but he who has it, never will. He
does unto others, as he would they should do unto
him, and justly asks himself What shall it pro6s
man If he gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul!'
| | know justification Of such conduct is fre-
quently sought in the common conduct of mankind
in business. 1t is said, others do SO; they under.
value and exat articles of trade, as may suit their
interest," and why should not we? Carry out this
principle, and see where it will lead to. They are
guilty Of deception. Of falsehood. OF profane Ian
guage, and why may not you9 Why, plainly, be-
cause the word of God forbds it, and because the
practice is wrong in ITSELF
Another practice, nearly allied to this and which
IS common one, is, having asking price, and
selling price, in almost all shops and stores. els
that the lowest price you will take a'' Indeed it
is the very lowest l can afford TO let it go at,,9
is the reply. 81 think you might let me have it
little lower" is rejoined-" Well, won't stand
about it, will take off yfp," and SO closes the
great contract. There is something very contempt
tble in this thing. Now, is not the love of money
at the bottom of all such conduct Buy cheap, and
sell dear, belongs to this creed.
st. Augustine tells very pleasant story
on this subject "A certain mountebank published
to full theatre that at the next entertainment, he
would show to euery man present what Uas in has
heart! The time came, and the concourse was i'm
mense all yaited with death like silence to hear
what he would say to each: he stood up and in
single sentence, redeemed his pledge =" You all
wish to buy cheap, and sell dear" He was appau-
ded: for every one felt it to be description of his
own heart, and was satisfied that all others were
similar. ALPHA.
-) oaa1tu o.
TO THE EDITORS OF THE NAT. INTELIIGENCER
f,rNrrrnrr bave long had il in Lt;on n r;r.