The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1835-09-12
IFor the S,ar.1
"IFIDO NOT, OTHERS WILL. "

"IF DO MOI, OTHERS WILL
The Devil never put into the heart Of man,
more unchristian and unsound argument than this.
As palpable as is the absurdity Of such reason
ing, yet, it is a subterfuge for vast number Of
intelligent people. who ure reduced to the unhappy
necessity Of seizng upon any rampant, however
beg,arsy, 10 shield their cOnscsnces from the ar
rows Of conviction.
llany protesting christians, when questioned
"a certain course Of conduct, reply that eff
they do not, others will" Let US carefully analize
SO argument, and see what il really Is
This reason is never rendered for pursuing
what we are conscious is a perfectly upright and
proper course Of conduct. No person will ever
give bad excuse when he has good one. II
man can say in regard to certain act, that he
believed il to he perfectly right and honorable, or
that he believes his duty to his God and to his
fellow men required its performance, this is good
reason, and under certain circumstances is quite
sufficient No person acting upon such principles,
will ever place their conduct upon basis SO pre-
carious. MS that they done so because " others
would if they did no,.' We may, therefore, con-
cude that whom an ndiv idual renders this excuse,
his course Of conduct is not satisfactory 10 him
SELF and that he believes it equally unsatisfactory
10 others.
2. "Lf Idon't Others soiU." What does
this imply 1, implies this Here is something to
be done, my conscience, my reason and my BIZ
ble tell me j, is t0rong, nevertheless want 10 do
il IL look over the face Of this wicked world,
and find person, whom in charity believe to be
us wicked as myself. and reason in this way /;
Il nm sufficiently depraved to do this act, be-
lieve him to be as wicked myself, he will there
fore do it, if he has the opportunity. We conss-
quenty, differ from each other only in this. have
the oppo' tunity and he does not. conclude to
do il, because I" i: l don't he will.o Is it not ap-
paren, to every child that my only reason for thus
violating the monions Of conscience, the voice Of
reason, and the word Of God is simply that
Judge another person to be as wicked as myself |!
Will such an excuse avail in the sight Of men or
in the sight Of God Z
8. What does the Bible teach on this subject !
| Does it say, that we may violate any command
Of The Decalogue, or any Precept Of the Gospel,
provided we can find any one more depraved than
ourselves, who will do !. five do not No. Ev-
cry page Of Divine Inspiration answers NO. The
common sense and the consciences Of Irrational and
acc table men, answer NO.
This may be illustrated by taking any single
case Of violation Of the law of man or of God
supposng the person 90 violating to offer this ex-
cuse ;,he ubsurdi,y will be eventually apparent
Suppose person arraignsd before the civil msgis-
trats on a charge Of theft, should file q plea
that if he had not stolen the article, some else
would' Who would not pity man who should
weave web SO beggarly miserable 10 screen him
from justice l--who should sitemp, TO hush the
whispers Of conscience, by the syreen song " II ]
don't olhes will !"
The Mme might be said Of murder and the slave
trade, 40 means Of acquiring wealth.
Some may say have family to provide for
and therefore must do this when all honest
caIlings are ovsrun, this argument may be worth,
Of refstaiion man engaged in highway robbery
or piracy nigh, make the same excuse.
a. Let us look At The eonssqusness Of suci
reascnins
s~w-'e NJ conduct one man or on,