New-York daily tribune., 1843-01-03
The Csersy-The Rich.

ot = Iiue SoSiaI OtucE upon eartn, IN winch tie
principles of truth ard justice and harmony
which exist at present only in Religious Hops and
Aspiration-will be realised practically in the AZ
fairs Of men7
The aim of Christ was universal brother hood
of Mankind, in which all the ensrgies OF the Race
would be directed 10 their Moral and Physical elc.
vetion, individually and collectively; and the one
supreme object, now incumbent upon his true fol-
lowers is the practical realization of this sublime
object
Chris, held up to Humanity the Idea ofa true So
cisl Existence, which had been lost and forgotten
during ages of carnage crime and brutal degrada-
sion, and he laid down the conditions which should
be fulfilled and the moral laws which should be
| followed in order to attain the reality.
The duty of the Christian World, as we con-
ceive, has been to discover organization of So
ci-ty, in which those laws can be obeyed and prac-
ticed, and made the governing principles of hu-
man existence, an (Which would be the realization
of the divine SOCIAL IDEAL of Christ.
The oversight, rather the one-sided view
which it strikes us, has prevented the Clergy and
the religious World generally from seeing the ne
cessiy of great and practical changes in social and
political affairs, and the importance of securing to
Maukind happiness and prosperity upon EARTH has
arisen from their exclusive hope and aim FOL
spiritual salvation, the entire neglect OF TEN,
poraL salvation They have taught the world ,ha,
s. ritual salvation was alone essential, and tha,
temp l'oral things were unworthy, and to be des'
pissed They have viewed this earth as the +" enc
my:s lana through which man had to pass to eb-
tain eternal life, and have looked upon the prcpa.
,ion for it as the exclusive End of human exist.
encc. They have overlooked the important fact,
that tenn ooral destitu,on brings degradation and
moral depravity, and in neglecting and dcspisng
temporal rings, and the affairs Of this world, they
have not perceived tae great truth that man mus;
be lifted out of the abyss of ndigence aad igno-
rauce in which he is now sunk, and elevated to
high state of worldly comfort and Of knowledge,
before he can be the noble intelligent and truly
lisisus being which they desire to make him.
five examine Religion and Morality in prac-
,cal point of view, is it not evident that false
system of Society must exercise a prejudicial and
debesinr influence upon iheml How can we ex
pect truth, justice aud honorable dealing TO be
praeticed by men, when all the business and indus.
trial relations of Society produce distrust and
seIfshness, and lead to disregard to the sociul
ties and duties, and the practice of injustice, fraud
and falsehoodl What efec. can be expected from
moral exhortation and the preaching of good pre-
cepts, where the daily practice of the world
invites-nay, almost cempels their violation7
None and reason and true and enlightened re
gion teach US that we should strive to introduce
truth and justice into tho business affairs of meR-
into the transactions of commerce and industry,
and so organize those practical departments OF
Society that honesty will be the true policy, and
the practice of just principles made both easy and
honorable.
It strikes us as the most evident of facts, tina,
no great spiritual Improvements and moral eleya-
ton can take place in Society, unless they pre-
ceded by social Or practical improvements; and il
the Clergy ace this fact as do, should they mol
take an active part in the great work of Social
Reform?
THE RICH, who live in thoughless luxury and
selfish ease, may desire change in their cendi-
ton and existing arrangements of society, and
without true and strong sympashes for their poor
and suffering fellow creatures, may disregard their
claims upon them and heed not the appeal Of hum
BILE poyerty-and yet the Rich should on their
own account aid the cause of Social Reform, and
desire the establishment of true Social order in
which all may be elevated and made happy.
The Multitude who pass their existence in indi-
gsnce and q never-ending round of toll, may long
for change which will relieve ihsm of want and
bodily .ufferiuga, but the Rich should aspire after
an exemstion from The killing ennui, monotony |
and the numerous moral ills which now oppress
them in spite of afiuence and physical comfort
and the desires Of both Rich end Poor only bs |
satisfied ia system of society based upon unity Of |
interests, attractive industry and state of genera
prosperity and intelligence. We ask how can the |
higher and more influential classes expect, for ex
ample, to be freed from physical debility and dis
case SO long as Industry repusnans and degrading
and to escape thousand frighttul calamitiRs, mis-
fortunes and concentrations, when poverty, crime
villainy and degradatoE exist below them anc
form the whole ground werk of Society,", The |
history of the world shows that in proportion as
ths Masses have been elevated, the condition Of
the Rich has been improved, and they will, &c
cording 10 law of Social Progress, only enjoy hap
pinesss when they have done their duty towards
the poor and helpless millions OF Mankind and
raised them out of their misery.
The Poor have neither knowledge nor power TO
enable Them TO aid the cause of a Social reform
tie Rich have both, and these advantages have
= x',tl