, 1842-09-17

approves Itself to his intelligence
that which approves itself to his in
teillgence, his conscience, his heart
that whsch answers the deep want
IN hlssS4pl, and of which he has tn,
witneeg y his own inward and out
ward experience. All other parts O
his those which he takes or
blind tiuSt, and in which he sees m
marks of truth and divinity, do hin
little or no good. Too often they dc
him harm, by perplexing his simple
reason, by substituting the fctions
and artificial systems Of tneoloeians,
for the plain precepts of love. and
JUSTICE. and flial trust in. God. As
2nsSsItwas supposed that religion
SNpeHt lt the void by laying re.
siGainis, awakening fears, and acting
a part Of the system Of police. SO
long il was natural TO rely on authori.
ty and tradition as the means Of its
propagation; SO long it was desirable
to stiae thought and inquiry on the
subject. But now that we have
learned hat the true office of reii.
gi6n us to awaken pure and lofty
sentiments. and to unite mar to God
by rational homage and enlightened
love. there is something monstrous in
placing religion beyond the thought
and study Of the mass Of the human
race.
| proceed TO another prejudice. 1t
is objected, that the distinction in
ranks is essential to social order, and
that this will be swept away, by call
ing forth energy Of thought in all
men. This objection, indeed, though
exceedingly insisted on in Europe,
has nearly died out here; but still
enough of it fingers among Us to de-
serve consideration. 1 reply, then,
that it is a libel or social order, to
suppose that it requires for its sup
port the reduction Of the multitude
of human beings TO ignorance and
servility; and it is a libel on the Crea-
tor, 10 suppose that He requires. as
the foundation Of communities, the
systematic depression Of the MAORI
ty Of his intelligent offspring. The
supposition is too grossly u%nreasonas
bic, to>monstrous, to require labored
refSatrsr.T see 40 deed Of ranks,
for social order or for any 9th.
er purpose. A great variety OF pur-
suits and conditions is indeed TO be
desired; men ought to follow their
genius, and TO put forth their powers
in every useful and lawful way. |
do not ask for a mnnotonous world;
we are far too monotonous now
The vassalage Of fashion, which is a
part Of rank, prevents continually
the free expansion Of mems powers.
Let US have a greater diversity of oc-
cupation. But this does not imply
that there is a need Of splitting socle-
~ into casts or ranks, or that 4 GER
tain number should arrogate SUPERIOR
tv, and stand apart from the rest of
men, rs a separate ace. Men may
work in different departments of lie,
md yet recognize their brotherly re-
alton. and honor one another, and
loId friendly communion with one
lno,her.. Undoubtedly, men Will
as friends and common asso-
those with whom they sympa-
hize most. But this is not to form
.ank or caste. For example, the in
elligent seek out the intelligent; the
those who reverence God
But suppose the intellectual and rell-
,ious to cut themselves of, by some
,road, visible distinction, from the
est of society, TO form 4 clan of
heir own, to refuse admission into
houses TO people Of inferior
and virtue, and 10 dImin-
sh, as far as possible, the occasions
f intercourse with them,-would
Iot society Use up as one man, a.
'ainst this arrogant exclusiveness?-
md il intelligence and piety shall not
the foundation, on what ground
hall they who have no distinction
ut wealth, superior costume, richer
quipage, finer houses, draw lines a.
ound themselves and constitute them
elves a higher class? That some
hould be richer than others, is natu.
al, and is necessary, and could only
e prevented by gross violations of
icht. Leave men to the free use Of
leir powers. and some will accumu-
tie more than their n%eighbors. But
, be prosperous is not to be superior
nd should form no barrier between
len; wealth ought not to secure to
ls prosperous the slightest conside-
ltion. The only distinctions which
,ould be recognized are those of the (
,ul, of strong principles, of incor-
integrity, Of usefulness, of
cultivated intellect, ~offdelIty in seek