Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-07-30
THE LAW OF LOVE.

during its world pilgrimage, have often
been bestowed by those who were poor,
both in money and intellectual cultivation
Among those doners, particularly remem.
Der Woodworking uneducated mechanic,
from Indiana or Illinois. lie told me .ha,
he was one of thirty or forty New Eng.
landers, who, twelve years before, had
gone out to settle in the western wilder.
hess. They were mostly neighbors; and
had been drawn to unite together in emf
grafton from a general unity Of opinion on
various subjects. For some years previ-
Gus, they had been in the habit Of meeting
occasionally at each others houses, 10
talk over their duties to God and man, in
all simplicity Of heart. The library was
the gospel, their priesthood the inward
light. There were then no an,i.slavery
societies but thus taught, and reyerently
willing to learn, they had no need OF such
agency to discover that it wus wicked to
enslave. The efforts Of peace societies
had reached this secluded band only in
broken echoes, and non.resistance socie.
ties had no existence. But with the vol.
ume Of the Prince Of Peace. and hearts
open to its influence, what need had they
Of preamb,es and resolutions.
Rich in spiritual culture, this little band
started for the far west Their inward
homes were blooming gardens; they made
their outward in the wilderness. They
were industrious and frugal, and all things
prospered under their hands. But soon
wolves came near The fold, in the shape Of
reckless, unPrincipled adventures; be-
levers in force and cunning, who acted
according to their creed The colony of
practical christians spoke Of their depre-
datons in terms of gentlest romonstrance.
and repaid them with unvarying kindness.
They went farther-they openly announ-
ced, You may do US what evil you chose,
we will return nothing but good" Law
yers came into the neighborhood, and Of
Tered their services TO settle Disputes
They answered, awe have no need Of
you. As neighbors, we receive you ia
the most friendly spirit but for US, your
occupation has ceased to exist" "What
will you do, if rascals burn your barns,
and steal your harvests 2" awe will re-
turn GOOD for evil. We believe this is the
highest truth, and therefore the best expe-
diencyw
When the rascals heard this, they con-
sidered il marvellous good joke, and said
and did many provoking things which to
them seemed witty. Bars were taken
down in the night, and cows let into the
cornfelds. The christians repaired the
damage as we'll as they could. put the
COWS in the barn, and at twilight drove
them gently home, saying, '.Neighbor,
your cows have been in my field. have
fed them we'll during the day, but would
not keep them all night, les. the children
suffer for their milk"
If this was fun, they who planned the
joke found no heart TO laugh at it. By
degrees, visible change came over these
troublesome neighbors. They ceased to
cut off horses tails, and break the legs Of
poultry. Rude boys would say to young
er brother, Don't throw that stone Bill
When killed the chicken last week, didn't
they send it to mother, because they thought
chicken-bro,h would be good for poor Ma
ry? should think you'd be ashamed to
throw stones at their chickens" Thus
was evil overco me with good, till no, one
vas found to do them wifu injury.
With delighted reverence, listened to
this unlettered backwoodswon, as he ex-
planned his philosophy Of universal love
% What would you do" said |, "if an
idle, thieving vagabond came among you,
resolved to stay, but determined not to
work ?. awe would give him food when
hungry, shelter him when cold, and al.
ways treat him as u brother" Would
no, this process attract such characters p
How would you avoid being overrun with
them % "Such characters would either
reform, or not remain with us. We should
never speak an angry word, or refuse to
minister to their necessities; but we should
invariably regard them with the deepest
sadness, as we would guilty, but beloved
son. This is harder for the human s,ul to
bear, than whips or prisons. They could
not stand it; am sure they could not. II
would either melt them, or drive them
away. In nine cases on, Of ten, believe
it would melt them"
| Eel. rebuked for my want Of faith, and
consequent shallowness Of insight. The
hard-handed laborer brought greater rich
es to my soul than an Eastern merchant
laden with pearls. Again repeat, mon.
ey is not wealth.-.Mrs. Chiid
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