The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-01-20
From the Cincinnati EpiscQpaL 0Jsrrcr.
DEBT:

DEBT:
Or THE MORALITY OF THE CREDIT SysrL II
II Sermon By The Rep. JOHN y. BROOKE, Rec
tor Of Christ Church, Cincinnati: WEED
AND WILSON, 1911.
! "OwE NO MANANY Rom. viii: 8.
The subject of debt is intimately connected
with the welfare of souls. Although Temporal
concern, it involves moral obligation, and as du
ty TO our neiglbor, it comes directly under the sec
ond table of The law. No subject, which involve
so much temporal interest, can be neutral in il
bearing on eternity. And minister of the Cos
pei no "walches for souls" cannot neglect it
without stunning to declare an important porto,
of the counsel OF God. plain exhibition Of the
truth upon his subject, is especially important il
Il trading community; where debt occurs so ire
qucny, and many adverse influences combine iC
loosen the morality Of pecuniary obligation.
Our text, "DWe no man any thing, WAS or
iginalIy addressed 10 prolcsscd christians. And
while in treating It, we shall cndeuvor to keep IN
eye to all Glasses, we shall not change lis muc-
date direction, For the decipcs of Christ, are
his own constituted cXempiars of sound morals
As we raise the standard of duty upon any subject,
among prolrssed christians, we tighten the cords
of moral obligation, which extend throughout the
community. aye are the light of the world
saith the Saviour 10 his dccip!es. And the light
of christian example, like natural light, is apt to
shine brightly and widely in proportion to its Gle
walton. Eu, low measure Of duty, or loose
practice on the subject oCdcbl in those who "namc
the name Of Christ" is SUE to be marked, and
seldom fails to bring heavy rcproach npon the
cause. No dcuht the censurc of the world upon
this subject, is often unjus, and cruel, For there
are many honest failures in business, which otdn-
airy prudence cannot prevent The very elements,
or other causes alike uncomfortable, may war A.
gainst mans interest and success. And in me-
ny instances, il we could look into motives, and
know all circumstances, we might find II uch To
cAcnuaie, if not to Justify. Nor is il ut all diff
cult to conceive of IN individual, sitting in the
miJ,, of his wrecked fortune, with n conscience
void of offence towards God and towards man.
FOR such We have nothing bu, sympa,hy-nol n
breath of censure. i,ut while christians should
disregard unus, ccnsu-e, and rather expect re-
proach as part f their heritage, the just blame
Of the world upon this subject is n shaft which
pcrccs the church. the my stical body Of Christ,
And lamcnlahIy do they err, we give occasion or
afford IN opening for such Il weapon. by directly
or indirectly violating the proccpi Of Irhclp'e Of!
the text, "owe no man any thing
Bu What is the true prlnll pie of the text? or
wha, does it prohibit 10 suppose that The 0pos-
tie meant to forbid all debt, would be unrcnson-
able and unscriplnraI. No well o'ganI2cd civil so
cirly has ever existed without the relation Of crcdi.
Tor, God himself recognized II IN the national
code which he prescribed for lil ancient people,
the Jews. And an attempt to abolish totally, What
is called the credit system, would be not only Il
material Interference with trade and commerce,
hu, it would be to break in upon some Of the best
charities of life. 1t would directly conravcne an
inspired precep, which reads thus, "Gwe To them
that askclh of thee, and from HIN that would Dor
row oithrc, tnrn moi thou away
But whlIc The text does prohibit every species of
debt, when duly interpreted by ether lights of scrip
ture, it certainly contcmpales such an obligation
as burden. never 10 be carelcssy or uscicssIy
assumed. Although 70, sin in ITSELF it is used as
the representative of sin. For we are directed
to pay, "forgive US our debts as VIC forgive orr
debtors" And even this meta phorical use Of ;he
term, carries with it some signn',ancc. here
the resources Of the debtor are ample, his debts
may be fairly rahScd among those 'oarrs Of 'n',
world which choke the word and render it unIru'!
ruI." And if his means be limited this care Is moi
only greatly increased. Int it places him. IN some
sense, IN the power Of the crcdror.a position ten
ding to produce that "ltar of man which briCgnth
A su"re.n Now 10 avoid as far rs possible, all
such cares. and fears, and snares, is certainly the
par, Of wisdom. And hence, we venture 10 lay II
down, as n general rule at least that christian is
most happy in his temporal affairs when he can
keep them squared rs literally MS possible with the
precppt Of the icAi, "UwC no man any thing. -
and other things being equal. that man is most
blessed who eau rae in the morning and say, not
in phlrsaical spirit, but with all the humility Of
n subject Of grace, "Iord thank thee that owe
no man any thing" But sach literal conformity
10 the text we grant is not often practicabe; es-
pcciy TO those who ARE engaged IN the acIivc
business Of life And where possible, ii nny not
be consistent with usefulness and duty. Even 20
such ndi, idunls however, the counsel Of the tex.
."lct yonr pccunidry obligations b" as few as pos,
,jjc, consistently with, nature IF your business
md your legitimate plans Of usefulness" Yea, in
his, as in other respects, "lci your moderation be
Known unto all men,
Bu, while there are many allowable debts which
christian may contract in moderation. the npos- /
lc appears in this passage to contemplate some
obligations rs blamcablc, not merey in
heir excess. but in their nature. And perhaps the
rest and ticSl interpreter Of the text may be found
N the second great commandment or The law CT
oye which stands in immediate connection with it. |
thus, ''owc no man any thing hut 10 love ore
mother" And Glove" saith the apostle in II
uhspqncnt verse, "workelh no i'll to his ncighhor.'
The debts forbidden by the text therefore, arc all
hose mtici ia themselves rioiaie Mc idw Of lore, |
,r dircctiy tent 10 such ciClaiion.
Many debts Of this general description, we may .
,lassiiy after the following manner, VIZ; DEBTS !
oF wiLfUi. risHoNEsrY--DEDTs or AvARi- I
,IOUs sPrCULATtoN-DE OF VANITY :
,Sp nERrs oF IiPRUDL"CE lie, Us amp.liv !
,ach Of these divisions. And in doing sn,we shall /
# course be compelled to leave much space 10 be
lied by your own reflections.
|. And first. If DEBTS OF wILLrvr DtsHoN- /
HsrY. Ty snrh wc mean pccunary ob'igallnns
entered into with no settled intention 10 discharge
hem, or without the probable means of satisfy ing .
hem. To contact deb. with no serious intention .
If ing it, il u plain infraclon of the command .
nent "'rhou shall not sica:' and the man who .
loes So deserves 10 be placed on inoiing Of NOR