Litchfield enquirer., 1839-04-11
[BY REoUEsT.]
From the NeaD- HdUen Microcosm.
A NEW SnctETr

A NEW SOCtETGs
One afternoon few weeks since, while
I was OH a visit to friend in neighbor-
ing town, gentleman called to invite US to
be present at the formation of benevo-
lent society. Sc neW society,"" said my
friend A. ga mcac society well--thank
heaven shall not live in the next century.
By that time, men will perform every NOR
al duty only through the agency of the
committees of benevolent associations -
One must needs be omnipresent TO attend
the meetings of the societies already in ex-
istence-and could remember the names
Of all to which belong, should be able
to congratulate myself on memory sur
passing that Of Crichton."
Now, let no one suppose that my friend
| A. is an enemy to benevolent associations.
By no nleans-but he thinks that benevo-
lence at the present day, is quite too gre
ga,iOWs. He believes that the active ex-
ertions Of charity should spring from and
not supersede quiet reflection. And he
thinks, that the benevolence Of the age is
more remarkable for extension than depth.
Whether he is right in his opinion, l leave
| it for better and wiser men than myself 10
decide.
But to return to the new society. When
A. understood its object, he concluded that
| it was we'll to form one more society, and
we went to the meeting. When we reach
ed the church, We found about five hum
dred people collected, butthe exercises had
not commenced. In looking round on the
assembly, was amused with the diversi-
| ties Of expression in the countenances OF
those present. Some looked full of hope;
the faces Of Others wore lock Of fear and
anxiety. Some appeared as If deternin-
cd on opposition; while large number
showed plainly that they belonged to the
class Of persons who can never be accu-
sed of having any aim at ALL" and had
come to the meeting merely because 9th
ers came. The clergy and their families
looked extremely cheerful. No wonder !!
for they felt that the hour of deliverance
was at hand.
| About dozen speeches we're made.
cannot say that all who addressed the pub
lie assembly observed the golden rule for
public speakers, " never speak unless you
have something to say, and always stop
when you have donc"-but, on the whole,
the speeches were interesting. They
were tolerably short, and most Of them had
some relation to the subject in question.
No speeches were made to prove the cx-
istencc and prevalence Of the evil which
the society was designed TO oppose for il
was understood that no one had any doubts
on that point.
The first gentleman who addressed the
assembly. stated distinctly the object of the
proposed society. 1T is 10 be-" he re-
marked, can Anti.msddling SOciety.-
Those who join i, will be required never
to NEEDLE with the concerns Of others !;
and moreover, so far rs they can prevent
it, never to NEEDLE Without to use all
lawful means for the reformation Cor if
that fails, for the overthrow and conlusion)
of meddlers, and the suppression Of med
ding" He defined a meddler as " one
who attempts to regulate all the affairs of
the universe except his own"
Next, a pale, skeleton-looking young
man, spoke few words. He said that he
arose merely TO thank the benevolent indi-
viduals who suggested the formation Of this
society. He believed it would save many
lives. He remarked that he had been all
his life prey to meddlers, and had felt for
some time that he was Fastening TO The
grave, the victim Of these accomplished
torturers-but now he had strong hopes Of
life. Should this society flourish, he felt
that he might live many years, quietly abb
sorbed in his favore pursuits, without mo-
lesiation, without ever again being obliged
to address his prosecutors in the language
Of Job, "Oh that ye would altogether
hold your peace, and it should be your
wisd6m." He said no more. have dis.
covered, that he belongs to that class which
meddlers take the higbes. delight in perse-
cutting he is an author.
A clergyman next arose, and said he
would make a tew remarks. He groaned
inwsrdly, for remembered the clerical
meaning Of the word few, and felt sure that
patience was to have its "perfect work."
1t was even so. He gave an account Of
the origin Of meddIing. and sketch Of its
history to the present time. He remarked
that, to give a complete history Of med
ding, would be almost the same as TO give
a history of the world, and therefore he
should not attempt it.. MeddliDg," he
observed, +" originated, wonderful TO relate !,
10 Heaven. The first meddIer was Satan,
who has ever since reigned Prince Of med.
dlers. He persuaded some Of his com
panions to join meddling society; after
wards. when the world was created, he
tempted Eve to become Q meddler!" The
good minister went on, giving an account
Of various eminent meddlers-but must
omit great part Of what he said. / will,
however, give my readers his remarks on
the testimony Of the apostles, in regard to
this subject. "The evil existed in the
time Of the apostles, and they have testi-
fed against II. There are some Of PaUl's