The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-08-07

=
|. slsks Of hls God neglecting Nj
q higher motives ofconduct, and sinks him
e lselfbelow the meanest of the animal crea
] ltion ;--for no other animal is guilty Q
his folly and depravity The more exalt
fled the gifts Of mind, or the acquircmentl
ofscicnce--the advantages Of situation
the more blameable his neglect Of his du.
ties to society. sya
i For man, at all times, is conscious o.
his higher motives Of conduct his origin
4 obligations to God, and his fellow man;
at once tecls within himself q higher in
|spiraticn, and sees around him, evidences
ofthe height to which human powers can,
and should be employed, consormable to
the designs Of his creator for the mutual
advantage and happiness ol society. But,
although the selfish man is THUS sensible
ofhis duty, yet his selfish disposition gov
ernshis conduct, gradually eradicAting
every other principle : he feels no zenl,
no ambition to promote the higher objects
ofan intelligent, social being. b The self.
isf man is unjust ( ungrateful /: Unjust
Withholding what he owes to God, and
to his fellow man .ungrateful to his God
pcvcrtihg the giils Of mind and the
more common blessings CT creation un-
grateful to .his fellow man---he comes on
the stage fife helpless being, and long
experiences the care and anxiety Of fond
parents ;when, often the first conscious
ness ofbeing, and fancied liberty, is exert
ed to wound the parents psace, ,heapilg
distress and sorrow on their grey hairs, Jun
I'll they are crushed to the grave: He
finds shelter from the elements, com
modious dwelling, well ordered home
plenty crowns the board, and cheerfulness
surrounds the domestic hearth docs he
exert his faculties to promote this happi-
ness ! Alas too often those blessings |
are destroyed by. the selfish proaigate.
He wanders abroad, amidst Ultimate and
nanimbts creation, he enjoys the shade
# the friendly tree, planted by his fore
athefs he feasts on the fruit thereof with (
'ut one feeling Of gratitude, without one
effort to improve or to perpeluate those
blessings to society. And when he looks /
lbroat in society, the same selishness /
Contracts his views, and governs his con {
iuct He Views tho specimens ofthe arts
md sciences--the national works of
trength, utility, and ornament--the no.
lie cdifices dedicated to the laws and lib !
rtiesofliis couatry-the temples cohsc- I
rated TO bis God she gazes, but feels s
10 gratitude-none ofthe nobier emotions )
f his nature : po sentiment of admiration !
mo just pride-Apride of country, or dis c
'ostion to promote its prosperity and hap I
iness. Seifshness absorbs all his facul- q
les he is hninterested in the exertions
! philanthropy, gcneral education, or .
,ornl improvement he takes no interest d
. the religious hiorhl, political, literary 2
nd scientific institutions Of his country 4
= lives without one effort 10 promote !:
heir causs, of render their blessings per- !
,ahent On the cont afy, his eohddct is Il
irectly OPPOSED to those higher objects 7
{ society, as 4 is 10 his own individual 7
ono and happiness. How misimproy-lp +
q hieytime and talents how guilty in the ii
ghtof Gol~-how contemplate IN the I
lew ofhis fellow beings; IL the selfish Q
IAN how bittet viii be his regret and re- u u
orse, at the final hour--at thst dread \ \
our to which all Our time and conduct a
lould be subservient Death overtakesl
i'm, withcut one higher motive Of his life 2.
lfilled. without one satisfactory reflection !,
cheer his gloom y He lived la blight, III
curse to society; he dies--perhaps un. pl
mcly, unpfepared, unwept, and his mem Of
y unhonorcd. This it is true is the " y.
lrk shade to the picture Of selfish dis m
)sition but Il is as true that evarv nj