Holly Springs gazette., 1844-03-30


OWE no MAN ANY THING.
From sermon on this text. by Rev.
John II. Brooke, Rector of Christs Church
Cincinnati, we select the following passa-
ges
The debts forbidden by the text, are al
those which in themselves violate the law
of love, OF directly tend TO such violation.
Many debts ofthis general description we
may classify after the following manner,
w. Debts If triUftI aeslg-debts Of
arqrici0ns syeculqtj0A-dsbt Of ran5ty-
aaL dsBIs a. imprudeHce. Aud doing so,
VIE shall OF course be compelled TO leave
much space to be filled by your own refiec-
lions.
J.. DsbLs Of lciHfaI dishonesty. BY such
ve mean pecuniary obligations entered IN
o with no setlled intention to discharge
tasm or without the probable means OF satis-
tv.ug them 10 contract debt with 20
serious intention OF paying It, IS pialn IN
-iltiou of the commandment Thou shalt
ra. s.aal and the man who does not de-
serve to be- placed on a footing OF moral
honesty with the common ielon.-Nor IS II
much less d.shoncs: to iucura debt without
lae probable means of meeting IT,
D. Dtbs 0F GrJrjcl0aS SPccUtatt0R-Dy
speculation. we mean any bargain or con
tract ju which the chances, humanity speak
lrz. ara against success, or even where the
Ir0Jabiluies are nearly balanced. To pro
.lre tile Endorsement Of a neIghbor to en-
gage in such q venture. or even risk our
own myaus 10 10 when we are IN debt, so rs
u leopard theiutertst ofcyednors--Is wrong.
his violation Of the law Of love. IL is not
doing unto others as he would they should
Io unto him. For 10 hazard the property
afano.hrr IA a speculation without his full
knowIgdee and consent, is as contrary e
sound principle rs II would be 70 take III:
funds 10 gaming table, and there Tist
t1em for our own uvaricIous gain. Fer al
speculation IS but a species OF gaming /
produces and fosters the same restless, unea
sv. Iusalatible SpiTll-a spirit which can II
no wise be harmouizcd with the temperat
benevolent spirit of the Gospel IL IS ad
.ui.ted hat in all active commerce. ther
must De more or less OF risk aEd conscqueL
loss But there is fair line OF deuarka
t.0n, between virtuouS commerce and vi
cIous speculation, or bet geen Iudiclous IN
ycs,mcnls aud hazardous experiments.
9. Ds5is Of raHiiy. BY which, we meal
debts contracted or maintained for the SAX
o.. vain shOw-or 10 crafty what IS calle
Iu the scriptures the lust Of the eye and th
pride Of lr..l How far opulent Christian
may indulge themselves in such things a
splendid mansions elegant furniture an
costly apparel we do not undertake 10 dt
tcrmne. But whatever may be said OF tn
use of such Iuxuries by those who have am
pie means, the use ofIhem by persons Of lin
Red resources, is clearly Indlscreet An
when il either compromises or seriously en-
dangers the interest Of creditors. II is an ag
sravaled trespass upon the principles OF tn
text,
Dsbis of impradsAcs. BY imprudence "
DO not mean that error in Judgment TO whicI
the best men are liable, and cannot be meas
uIed by any moral rule but error arising
irom The want Of proper care or due corslde
ration. All such inconsideraleness in pc
canIary affairs has the nature of sin. Blu
here, under this head, we shall find many
huIts which so lean 10 virtues side'-tha
i wall be difficult to summon up courage 4
Ieprove them.-For there are many impru
dent debts, proceeding from generosity o
disposition. or an impulsive henevolence
which we find i hard TO condemn, ever
"heTe It runs into excess.
Obligations ofthis sort, frequently occur u
commercial communities, where indorse
ments or surety ships are common. Bu
whenever. by such Endorsements man se
I'ously endangers the interests ofthird pal
lies, or even the welfare OF his own tamil
ne oHends against the rule Of the text. w
grant that Endorsements. suretyships an
loans fairly rank among Christian charities
alh that they ought not in all cases TO b
summed, by those who are engaged
worldly affairs. Nay, such obligations al
H0i only among the neighborIy rcciproc