Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-09-12
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CONSTITUTION ron A NEW SOCIETY,
lDrsra ~ y Eid. X. ~ ISturPsrLl

llTeHa ~ - 1sta n -. -Netrporal
While 80 many Societies are formed.
and so much pains taken to difuso the
principles Of christianity. and 10 improve
the morals Of mankind abroad, It'll consi.
dersd a subject Of deep regret that ,.ere
should DO no Society formed whose aim
and object should be 10 correct and reform
their own individual vices. Or in other
words. while there is so much pains is-
ken By the numerous Societies, ADD By
benevolent individuals 10 cast the mote
out OF their neighbours eyes. there should
DO SO little pains taken FIRST TO east the
beam GU, Of their own eyes. Physician
heal ftysey is an sdmonition coming from
the highest authority; and 1t 10 humbly
conceived that il 10 as applicable 10 the
Scnbes and Pharisees Of the present gen
Grafton o. II was 10 those who were CO.
temporary with the Son Of God on earth.
Would the numerous Societies and zeal.
Gus individuals who are so bus:lv ens aged
10 moral'zing aud christisnizing Others.
manifest an equally laudable zeal 10 ex-
aiming their own hearts. and correct.
ing their own erTsrs. how much more
like real christians would they act: would
they quit ying. slandeIing ani defaming
and lay aside all guile aud ny pocrisy, aud
practice themselves what they proles,
10 be teaching others, ia how much more
favorable ligh. would they appear TO ell
really good men
Ia tae, were . society for self-exani.
na:ion formed, and rendered o. popular
~ our Temperance and other kindred
Societies are, it is believed il would 20
fer towards trsuquiliziug the agiiaisd eie-
menis Of society at large. and We should
have less running TO aud fro as mendi.
cants. and FAR less standing on the corners
Of the streets and thanking God that they
were not like other men. The following
constitution therefore for such a society
IS respectfully offered TO the public
article !. This society shall be de-
nominated the Self Examining Society.
aud shall be composed Of members Of
both sexes, whose head and whose hrarts
are susceptible Of moral improvement.
Article ,. The object Of this society
shall be, that while " NAV see all Others
fiul,s, We shall endeavor 20 feel and COR
rect our own.
.frt. }. All the members Of this soci-
ETY. shall be vested with full powers and
privileges 10 attend 10 their oWn concerns,
aud they shall consider il their duty TO
study and mind their own business and
let other peoples business alone.
.fTt. 4. This society shall never ap-
point any presidents, vice presidents.
secretaries, delegates. spies or committees
50 manage their concerns, nor TO watch
over aud make reports Of the misdoings
Of others, until such work OF charity
eAall have been commenced and approxi-
mated 4 completion at homo.
.Hrt. 5. There shall be no public nor
private meetings Of the members Of this
society for the purpose Of transacting bu-
siness as society. or 10 hear lectures de-
liveTed before them; but it shall be the
duty Of each member 90 meet himself a.
lone every day and listen TO the lecture
OF bis own conscience.
.fIt. q. There shall never be any
funds raised oy this society by means OF
hired soliciting or begging agents; nor
by subscription, donation or bequest for
the purpose OF defrAying the expense of
the society, nor for the purpose Of eircu-
laiing self examining tracts or self exam
ining almanaes, nor to pay any lawyer or
minister for delivering lectures before US
10 convince Us how much easier II is TO
examine others than it is to examine our
selves.
.7ri. Z. All the members Of this socie-
ely shall pay due regard to temperance
IN eating aud drinking, and in every thing
else; but they shall be !heir own Judges as
90 what they shall eat. what they shall
not drink, aud where Withal they shall be
clothed: while gluttony. drunkenness and
tight lAcins shall be left to the cravings
of conscience and the consumption, with
all the popular reproach they so richly
deserve, without the benefit Of clergy
or The votes and lectures Of Temperance
Society.
.7yt. 8. The members Of this society
shIll call every thing by iis proper name:
they shall not put bitter COR sweet nor
sweet for bitter. nor call for vinegar hen
they mean rum; nor for cider or beer
when they mean French brandy or gin;
nor shall a0y grocer, merchant or inn-
keeper put new wine into old bottles: nor
french brandy al the back door for the
uss add benefit Of temperance euslo-
msEs.
.frf. 8. All Ire members Of lhi, socie
~ shall deal truly openly and hoborably :;
and all who DO oiherVise shall be deli.
vered over to the fellowship and conf.
denco Of religious and political swinGlers:
and any grocer. merohan, or innkeeper
who shall sell preparations OF vhlskey Tor
Malaga OF Madeira wine, or for 81. Crojx
rum, shall be excluded from ell society
excepting iha. OF the Temperance Society.
INT. 10. All tho member Of THIS SO.
Getty shall be allowed full liberty 20
drink coffee or tea; cold water or hot va.
ter. bstlsrmiIk or lersonsde, take snuff
smoke or chew tobacco. just ~ their fan.
cies may lead them, provided It DO no:
OdenHVe to the eompaay they are 10.
.4rf. II. This society shall be and
Esmaia separate and distinct from ell
other societies il shall form no lig,ous
party IN politics nor noliitcat Marty uode,