The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-04-25
RELIGIOUS.
PUBLISHED By REQUEST.
From the Charleston Observer.
RROTUERLY KINDNESS.

Christian lnulCu aPp'"'N
than when it is exhibited as family.
In a family is to be seen an interest ami
mating as by common spirit the whole
bodv-one head uniting all the members.
The same hopes, fears, and DESIRES i'm
parting common character and drawing
a separating line between them and stran-
gers.
Now if this be lovely. it is on account
of the peace and union supposed to dwell
within the circle-a casual observer sick
with the disgusting turmoil which is now
agitating the elements of society in the
world, delights to think that there is a
spot where the reign of harmony is unbro-
ken-he looks to his home as the tempest
tossed mariner looks to the haven as re-
fuge; but should he find there friends diVi-
ded, brothers bearing the suspicious look
and scarce suppressing, if they make ef-
fort to suppress the envenomed feeling to-
wards each other, his heart will sicken in
to disappointment. Now the Christians
earthly home is the Church-a type of his
future and eternal home-where no root
of bitterness will spring up to trouble him.
nor any enemy appear 10 mar his peace.
Truth, however, obliges us to state that
the weary soul is often disappointed at
finding rest at home. 1t ought not to be
the casc-but how frequently do we see
discord usurping the place of love-the
professed followers of our Master viewing
each other with the aspect Of enemies
and instead of expressing good wishes,
taking pleasure in speaking evil of fel-
low communicate. These arc spots, which
it were to be wished for the honor of reli-
gion, never appeared to mar the beauty
of the Church. But while facts are, as
they are, truth requires the statement
a regard for the Church's holiness demands
that the statement should not be withheld
Knowing the tendency on the part of the
Church to err in point of brotherly kind
ness, propose to furnish, in this essay,
some medilations on the force of the Apos.
tolc exhortation, "Be kindly affectioned
to one another"
In the present paper, I design simply to
consider the meaning of the exhortation,
and probably in some future numbers
shall extend my remarks, SO as to take in-
to view the motives TO the performance of
so important Christian duty.
Love is simple difficult to defne-And
simple emotion, like any of the operations
of the senses, to be explained, must be
illustrated. Perhaps we come sufficiently !
near to definition, when we say, that it
is principle which will lead us to delight
in the happiness of The object beloved.
God having the best right to our affec-
tions, is to be loved supremely-all other
objects that it is proper to love must be
held in subordinate esteem. As we are
inclined to love ourselves Best
self-love must be so controlled, as to be
the measure of that affectionate regard we
pay to our fellow.men. We arc bound to
love our neighbors as ourselves.
This universal charity is to be bestowed
upon all men, no matter what may be the
difference of their situation in life from
our own. We are bound to treat them in !
all respects as we would wish to be treat
ed if we were to change places with them.
The golden rule which our Saviour has
given us, when properly understood, and
rigidly acted out, will secure, without
destroying any of the social relations
respect to superiors, condescension to in-l
feriors, affability to equals, and justice to
all. It will do more-it will recognize
neighbor's right in one brought up at
distance from ourselves, and will make |
humanity paramount to prejudice. 1t will
disarm enmity by the performance of the
Offices of frienship, and unite the whole
human race in the bond of brotherhood
This law, however, does admit, that the
strength of our affections should be pro-
portioned to the nearness of the beings to