Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-07-27
KeligiouS dRiatflIanp.
TIE Tenth COMMANDMENT.

TIE TENTH COMMANDMENT.
Thou shah not eoret Thy ncgLJors house, thou shalt
not ooret Thy naghjor's ,ri(e mar has maa-se,rant,
has maid-sercani has on, nor his ass, nor any
hing hatis hy neiSh5or's.'
Every precept Of the law to which have hitherto
adyeued, has reference only the eIicrnai can
duct OF moral agents bu, also the internal aotpes
or priHcipies from which tina, conduct proceeds This
is evident from the considerations already stated, and
from the whole of divine revelation and il is
in unison with the common sense OF mankind, that the
meut or dement, of any action is TO be estimated,
cordng the intention of the actor, and the DISPOSE
ton from which it flows That no doubt NAV remain
this point, the Supreme Legislator closes the deca-
logue with command, which has reference solely
70 the desires and dispositions Of the mind Thou
shalt not covet.' Covetousness consists in 1ordn
cdesIre of earthly objects and enioymens. THIS de-
sire, when uniformly induged leads to a breach of al
most every other precept OF the divine law aud the
OF than one-haf Of all the evils which af-
fict the human |, leads breach of the eighth
command, by exciting either to fraudulent dealings, or
TO direct ofthctt and robbery 1t leads to breach
Of the ninth command, by cheshng the principle of
fssehood which is implied in every fraudulent trans
action. 1t leads to a violation Of the sixth command,
by engendering spirit OF revenge against those who
sand in the way Of its qualification and by exciting
the covetous 10 the commission of murder, in or
der to accomplish his avaricous desires. 1t also leads
to violation of the seventh command; for, when one
coyets his neighbours wife, the step is, to en-
deayor TO draw her affections from her husband and
plunge family into distress 1t Also leads to a viola
ton OF the fifth precept of the law, only seels
the heau agans, those kindly fal affections which
children ough, exercise towards their parents but it
ercllcs them withhold from their parents when in
old age and in distress those external comforts which
arc requisite to their happiness and which it is the du-
y OF ateCtonae children TO provide. And, when Gov
eousncss has thus led the breach OF every other pre-
oeP OF The second table OF the law, it follows that all
ue preceps of the first table also virtually violated
For all the commandments OF the frs table are briefly
summed up IN this comprehensive pfecept--' Thou
&aIl love the Lord thy God with all thy heart > but il
obviously impossible, nay, it would be contradic
hon IA terms 10 suppose that supreme love to the Gre
alor can reside ia the same breast in which rnord'n
ale desire OF worldly enoymenis reigns uncontrolled
and ~ which love to man has no existence. SO tina
ooyegousness may be considered the great barrie
which separates man from his Maker, aud also ,h'
polluted ioriain from whence flow all the mora. abom
nations and miseries of mankind
The more obvious and direct manifestation OF Thu
principle is generally distinguished 10y the name of ac
s7ce, or inordinate desire Of riches And what
countless host Of evils has flowed from this unhaow
e. passion, both in relation individuals, families
10 nations, and the world at large Ia relation L
ihe avarioious man himself could we trace all the ca
ser desires, anXieties, peTpeyities, and which
Larass his soul the fraudulent schemes he Is oblge
70 con'oVe IA order to accomplish his object the mis-
cradle shifts 10 which he Is reduced 10 order kee
u2 Tie appearance Of common honesty, tie mass O
elulDA and the medley Of fAseaoods 10 whic
/ be is always obliged TO have recourse the numerou
csaPpoalnen,s 10 which his eager pursuit Of weli
o7aunually expose han, and by which his soul Is pier
eed - 9Th many daggers--We should behold
"TeeAed being the prey OF restless and conlendln
Passions, With a mind ful Of falsehoods dcceiiit
schemes, and grovelling affections, Ike cage foil
every guclean and hateful brd--a mind incapable
Aii 'auona. enjoyment Ia ths lie and entirely nca
f.ted o1 rs4sgng the no0ler eHj0ymens OF the .ii
70 caue. such - not only miserable himsel
p-i becomes a moral nuisance 10 the Dee. ghborloo
ARGUES hlm s,iuung tis own family Of - uecessaT
e4eus expressing the widow and tbs i4laeress e.
G1'+ag With insauable iaags eEoD house, lenemea
a1- patch OF land within h,s reach, huu,iag poor %,
is1-gaie debtors 10 jail setting sdui tie poor on
-'sl' from their long accustomed dwellings and pT'
N.s.s 20 TIE young and Ih1ugtiess picture wale
e BOY frequently copied oi ar immurla. mlut INNER
81 20 li.s Of TIE most degrading passions. OIL
.as-riug aud seulag the creature mote i4aa ID
''es'ai 100 "a blessed forever.
I1 itl@toH 10 large coulmI lii.es and nstiols. ID
f''e.4ag passion has produced, oa ar extensive sod
-@ most m,srh,eVols and deslfacuge ofiecls. D. b,
''-efel palaces churches, OF iesruiag, and y
'-'Aspe' O az i has polluted the courts Of lod,e