The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-10-09
For the RI. Republican.
"Ubi panis, ibi Deus"

FOR inc III nepaDhcan. -
"JTbi panis, ibi Deus"
There is a certain easy occupation, which
requires but few hours restraint on each
day, and which any man Of common tslents
and decent requirements, may undertake, at
pleasure, after shortprepsrnton, with the
certainty of obtaining respectable or affiu.
en-, subsistence. Those who choose to un-
dertake this occupation, are immediately ac-
counted ofa higher grade than common men,
and in obedience to the prevalent fashion the
most naughty often yield them Difference.
Their faults are extonuated or concealed
and their virtues extolled to the skies, they
may defame the character ofndividuals with
impuni,y, or inve;gh against whcle coinmuni
ties with sweeping denunciaions; but wo Ia
the unlucky wight who whispers ssylIabIe
against them.
But though their occupation offers all these
strong inducements, though it requires no
peculiar self denial, and allows all the rea-
sonabe pleasures and cnjoyments ofGfe,
yet fmirabiie diciu,) thel whole numberlesl
host Of those who have undertaken this com.
Portable easy and conspicuous employment
declare, with one voice, that their chief mo.
tive in so doing was not their own interest
but the obligations Of duty and the welfare ol
mankind But it seems rather mysterious
that of those engaged in an employment SO
desirable, and as free to every one as any
mechanical trade. nearly all should be men
Of so unc common beneyoence and so lofty
principles. These men are the Reverend
clergy. They modestly intimate that such ID
their character for piety and benevolence,
and who can know their character better
than themselves Ifyour carpenter repairs
your house ard receives his money, he nevcI
pretcnds that bis motive was mere phlanthro
py but your minister rises in the pulpit
deals out his exact measure Of prayerand
praise. delivers sleepy discourse, or displays
his weekly stock of eloquence, discusses
some barren doctrine, advocates faith, dis.
paragcs morality. disnisses his opponents 10
place Of torment, returns home, pockets
his money, and declares that he has done Il
all for the glory ofGod and the salvation Of
souls !! Many Of his admirers (good simple
souls) repeat the same folly. ale is. ia,
Decd" they exclaim, "a pious and worthy
man.. He has the good Of souls at heart, and
overlooks mere selfish considerations, With
Nh asS!y he o% afsasaay e dssets the
dreadful consequences Of sin. With what
o sffectionate earnestness he calls on sinners
to repent" They forget that all this is bis
business the mere hacknied cant of his pro
fession, and that his motives are money, case.
respect, the spirit Of prosolyting, the love Of
display and the honor Of being thought the
servant and especial favorite Of the Most
High. The cause Of religion is the cause Of
the clergy the torments ofhell supply the
treasury, of the Church and the repentance
Of sinners fills the pockets Of priests. Like
all other occupations undertaken merely
from self interest, as tho business Of lawyer.
a merchant or blacksmith, preaching is a
trade.
A man ofthe world would perhaps answer
"All this is self evident. Why is this truisn
urged with so much zeal ?" But there arc
multtudes to whom it is no truism, who be
lieve that the clergy are different from com
mon nortals that they are holy because lh'
hired advocates Of holiness, and eminentl,
disin.erested because piety and love are al
ways on their lips.
But profession is trade, a mere o <
change Of qnid p'o quo, and every one vii
admit that any employment whichis cas-
odvantag geous and agreeable. will entirely b
seized upon merely as a trade, unless thi
is prevented by some powerful restrain,
But if person is forced to obtain his ow
living, what restraint is there under hesve
to prevent him from undertaking the bust
ness Of preacher merely as trade. Is j
the self denial to be undergone? The self
denial Of clergyman is merely that ofout
ward morality. Is it the want Of religion
TIe has sufficient for his purpose. Is i the
fear Of God? This shall not stand bet'een
him and his interest. Neither does hehnd
it written, "Thou shalt not preach my Gepel
for the sake Of hire" He belives tina he
shall do God service even II he serves,im
for the "loaves and fishes" "My NOTES"
he argues ''arc selfish but my octonare
praiseworthy." Thuslwhatever good orvil
a clergyman may effect, money dictateahis