Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-05-23
PAY YOUR DEBTS

Religion that does not make man honest is
good ior nothing. If man processes 10 be
Christian and defrauds his neighbor that mans
religion is vain. And he is dishonest who with
holds from another that which is his due, hen
1t Is IN his power to pay it.
we, In this country, have acquired bad name
abroad tor our State repudations, but 1t is not this
OF which we wish to speak just now. l; is of
the iaxness, not to cal) it by harsher name, of
many professors OF religion. who seldom or never
pay their debts until after being called upon again
and again, and perhaps finally being threatened
with suit at law. There are some such men in
almost every community.
we have one of these men now in our eve
HE'S very amiable, easy man, who never wish
es to quarrel with his neighbors, and is ALWAYS
willing to DO them favor when they are in want
OF help. But he never pays his debts, if he can
avoid II. His bills at the store, at the shops of
mechanics, perhaps for the food which he eats or
me raiment he wears, unpaid, and he feels not
the least computations of conscience on the SUBJ
Ject. lie prays in his family and in the social
meeting, and some people think that he may be
Christian: but men Of the world say that if he
would be honest, they would have better opinion
Of his religion
We see another debtor. lie has no objections
20 buying any thing that he can get upon trust;
he Will even subscribe for religious newspaper
or new edition Of The Bible, and make loud
professions OF his willingness to aid this objec
and that, but when called on to pay his subscrip-
ton, he is unfortunately just then out of money,
ne VIII certainly pay it in few days. but he is
no more ready month afterwards than he was
before, and he never intends to paw He pre-
tends nevertheless TO be pious man, but he de-
ceves very few.
Just now, we see another man Of this always
owing and never-payng class. Some time ago,
he contracted heavy debt, and he has never Vet
seen the time when he could paw the whole Of il
at once; and, therefore, he has paid none Of il.
HIS Income has been such that he might, with
little economy and much self denial, have paid
part OF The debt every year, and by this time
nave ex'nguIshed IT; bu. his conscience does not
seem to trouble him at all, although he Hpcs on
that which does not belong to him.
Men may sophiscate as they please, they can
never make II right and all the bankrupt laws i'm
the universe can never make it rigM for them to
neglect to pay their debts. There is SIN in this
hss'ec' as clear aud as deserving church disci-
pine, as in stealing or false swearing He who
violates his promise 10 pay withholds the pay
ment OF debt ,cheD At Ujf,,p Ills Do,cer 10
meet his engagement ought to be made to feel
That, in the sight of God and of all honest men,
ne is swindler. Religion may be a very COM
Portable cloak under which hide; but If religion
uoes not mako man Ideal JUSTLY it is no,
worth having.
Out what shall poor man do who is in debt
Lev MN work hard and pay it. Deny yourself
az the Injuries and very many Of the comforts Of
me- DC willing TO take an humble place in society,
-: ny Sour PIiue; I'm dress and style OF
living be as simple and economical as possible :
II necessary, live on bread and water, and labor
oilgeniy' until You satisfy the demands of your
last credtor: but never lay up cent of money
nor spend cent needlessly while You owe il to
another. We wish that this principle could be
tngrained into the hearts and consciences. al
least OF protesting Christians. There is loose.
ness on the subject in the church that is perlec,v
irreconcilabe with the law Of God and the main.
'enance of good reputation in the eyes of The
world. - "o
Let no man be trusted who neglccts 10 paw his
oeo,s. ~ misfortune has suddenly deprived him
OF the ability to pay, that is another thing but
oy MS conduct he shows that he has no dispo-
saon 70 meet his engagements, especially small
debts, let him not be trusted. He that is uniust
In little, will be unjust in much. lie ,cho de-
frauds '"H steal, and there is scarcely any difference
os.'oeen stealing and ,oiTuiy neglccting 70 dir.