The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-01-15
For be oadis Sentinel.
ON SOCIAL


ed 10 the professed followers Of Christ, which If
to, will give occasion to the q weaker
for stumbling, and to the world for
blasPheming and reproaching our holy religion.
Iallude othe practice of attending social par
ties, and have thought that a few remarks on the
evils connected with them, addressed to chris
tiaus of every denomination, will not be amiss.
The manner in which the parties Of Cadiz
have been conducted, has given rise TO many Sc
we're animadversions against both the ministers
and members of the churches, who attend them,
by the world, and | think too justly. The ques-
ton is not, are social parties wrong, by no means:
for | fully believe they may be conducted SO as
10 be profitable to those who attend-but it is
the manner in which they are conducted that
makes the wrong-and | will specify a few things
in which think wrong consists,
think it wrong for ministers and members of
the church 10 encourage the Extravaganza usu-
ally attending them, in the quantity Of ~luxuries
provided by those who can afford them, and Of
lCA ny OthCio WIN SahillOt pditSui"'s ""NH
there are poor families destitute, and benevolent
objects suffering for want of the money spent in
getting up these repasts. 1t is quite a common
excuse given by these very individuals when an
object of charity asks aid, 81 cannot afford it,
times are so hard"
l think it wrong for christians to spend SO
1900. e d.. .:uo -, A. al !, ILIor o,I foet
ing usually done at these parties, and where the
Lord Jesus Christ appears to be entirely exclu-
ded. How many parties are conducted with
prayer or praise or even religious conversation?
think it wrong to encourage the selections
usually made-when some worthy persons are
passed by because they are not fashionable, 9th
ers because they do not make parties and return
the compliment, some because they do not be-
long to our circle, and others again, because it
won't do to have every body, whilst some are Sc
lected who have no other qualifications, than the
ability and disposition to return tbs favor.
In this way the following scriptural %injunc-
tons are %entirely overlooked or disrcgarded,
to wit: when thou makest a dinner or a
supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren,
neither thy kinsman, nor thy rich neighbors; lest
they also bid thee again, and a %recompense be
made thee. But when thou makest feast, call
the poor, the manned, the lame, the blind and
thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recon-
pcnso thee; for thou shalt be rccompcnsod at
the resurrection of the just"
l think il wrong for christians to attend " hou-
ses of feasting," while there are so many " hou-
ses of mourning" and so many calls for aid and
sympathy from the sick and dying,
think it wrong for christians toletthese parties
take the place of more important duties. How
oElo1 is it the case that a temperance meeting,
or u prayer meeting is broken up, for want Of
the presence of those who have to attend a par
ty at Ar. - or Mrs. - for fear of Offend
ing &em, as they have given the invitation fire.
q%uontIy, and something hindeycd from attending
before.
In view Of these things, are not ministers cs-
pocially--and members of Chrisl's body under
special obligations to ~discountenance any, and
every thing, that has the appearance Of evil?
are they not bound to depart from all iniquity? ~
They should be lights TO the world; they owe ii
to their Redecmer, to the Church, to each other
and to the world. IF they expect to exert any
influence on a wicked world, they will do so.--
Jesus Christ when on this world, visited the poor,
and ate with them, and identified himself with
them. Should not his professed followers do
so likewise. Query--If Jesus Christ we're liv-
ing in Cadiz as he lone in Nazareth, would he
be invited TO certain parties? The manner in
which his poor disciples are treated is a sufici-
ent answer.
was deeply impressed few days since, at
the carelessness of the professors of religion,
and the distinction made in society in Cudiz. A
poor man lay on his death bed, surrounded by a
distressed and helpless family, but few TO com.
fort them, and pour into his wounded spirit the
balm of consolation. Where was his pastor?
He might have been absent from the village, or
he might not have known his condition, or he
might have been at some social party. Suffice
it TO say, he was (peThaps unintentionally) absent
from the bed of the dying man. But the poor
man died, and the hour appointed to convey him
to his last resting place on earth, arrived; but
where were the members and ministers of Christi
body? The funeral had to be delayed some
time, waiting for assistance 10 carry him to his
tomb--there were no ministers tc walk in from
Of the funeral procession, and very few of the
protested members of the Church TO follow hi:
remains to the silent grave.
In nonclueion I will osl, sbo,,IJ no, Lo,o.L-