Litchfield enquirer., 1838-01-11

| JUS. ~'u "Ope SOuletDtng rom tneu.
 Any one who will inquire into the early
 history of the political men of our country,
 or who will look into the biographies of the
 principal men of the world, will be struck
 with the fact, that almost all the talent and the enterprise have come from the cottage. and not from the mansions of the wealthy. 1t is very seldom that the sons of distin- guished men become distinguished them. selves. The father attains celebrity and wealth; the sons enervaied by his wealth decay. There certainly are exceptions to this rule, highly honorable exceptions, but the general process is undeniable.S
 If we can place any reliance upon ahat experience which our observation gives US, we cannot doubt, that in this country a wealthy family has, on the whole, far more unfavorable prospect for happiness. than one in the enjoyment of moderate competence.
 | once heard gentleman of great influ- ence say, cannot be sufficiently grateful that had not rich father.' And the re- mark was one of sound philosophy. The probability altogether is, that if this gentle mans father had been rich, he never would. have been stimulated to those exertions, which so abundantly contributed to his re- putatiou and happiness.
 x It will be seen at once from what has al- ready been said, that great wealth throws some peculiar obstacles in the way of our preparation for n future world. All are aware that this sentiment is advanced with much distinctness and frequency in the Bi- ble.
 They that will be rich fall into tempta- ton. How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.'- ltis easier for camel to go through the eye of needle ,hanifor rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' 'Wo unto you that are full now, for ye shall mourn and weep.' Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries, which shall come upon you,'
 Now none of these passages imply that wealth is itself an evil, or that God regards tho possession of wealth as sinful. But we cannot escape from the admission, that the rich man and his family are exposed to be- culiar dangers.
 And we see at once, that the temptation 10 ex,ravagance and high life, and all tho though.lessness of a worldly spirit is very great. The children of rich man have stronger current setting against them 10 bear them 10 perdition they have more to overcome in renouncing the world and choosing the Savior.
 Look at the present condition of the churches in this country. How few of the members come from the families of the rich. You find some rich persons in the church, but even they generally became professors before they became rich. A clergyman in New York, told me, that his church. bers generally decreased in spirituality as fast as they increased tn wealth. And believe that this will be found pretty ex- sensively true.
 There are some noble examples 10 the contrary; some of the most laboriOus and self denying of the disciples of Jesus have consecrated the largeness of their posses sions as well as the largeness of their hearts to God. And they have taken hold of active christian duty like workingmen in the vineyard ofthe Savior. Such men arc indeed blessing to the church. but there are the exceptions. The rule remains es- tablished.
 Now here is one of the snares to which I have alluded. A pious man will toil for his life in accommodating properly. In do- ing this lie lives tn constant anxiety; he hardly knows a moment of peace; he neg lects his religious duties, and puts the sal- vation of his soul at a fearful lhazard.-And the result of aII this labor and anxiety is to confirm his children in sin, and tO seal their everlasting destruction. This is indeed sowing the wind and reaping the whirl- wind
 apprehend iha, facts will bear me out abundantly tn the assertion, that wealth does not generally prove a blessing, but rather calamity.
 The family in tho enjoyment of a com- fortable supply of their wants, are far more safe against the sorrows of this life, and the sorrows of the life io come, than the family surrounded with opulenee. The prayer of Agur was consequently prayer dictated bv sound wisdom Give me neither po- verty nor riches
 Dec;sioa of Charocter. r.-True decision is as distinct from stubbornness as light is from darkness. Decision is founded upon knowledge; it is guided by enlightened reason. Where duty does not forbid, it is as yielding as the air; the slightest wishes of friend may bend it-it will even anti- cipaie friends desires, and gladly yield to afford qualification. But when duty is concerned-when conscience speaks with her imperative voice, the everlasting hills are not more immoyable. No blandish- meDts can eniicc; no arts can intimidale. A world in arms cannot change the inflexi- ble purpose of the soul. It can no more