Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-04-18
From the Ladies' Book.
Conformity to the world.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

The incidents am about to relate
are. in some respects, so near the ex-
act truth, that might write over them,
as do some conscientious s'story" wri-
tiers. if such there be, "founded on
fac..'' However, ! believe ! will not
do this, as am so much in the habit OF
" drawing upon my imagination for
nv facts" that shall gain but little
credit for a single attempt to make 1t
appear that am scrupulous in regard
to these matters. The readermust p Pc,
expect fine plot; if he does he WIN
be mistaken. | am not good az plo,,
ting. The truth wish to teacii WIN
be clearly apparent, and that must
suffice.
Mr.. Shaw and Mr.. Graveman were
members of a certain denomination,
which can boast of as many worthy
and truly pions members as any other
sect of Christians, and of quite as many
black sheep. They were both engaged
in the wholesale grocery and flour BUSH
ness. One of them, Mr.. Graveman,
held an official station in the church,
He was what was called class-leader,
.al Esslins the Importance of his sta
ton, assumed what to him seemed
necessary sanctimonious exterior. He
was scrupulously plain in his own dress,
and strictly required his family to alb
stain from all the yanities Of this wicked
world.
As member Of the church, among
members of the church, Mr.. Grave
man stood high. AS business man,
he was known as one Of the closest of
bargain makers-too close to be always
an observer of the golden rule. Pro-
verbal on the one side for exemplary
piety, he was proyerbial On the other
side for selfish love of gain. He old
not take his religion into the world, for
he could not sec that ii had any BUSH
ness there. Religion was for the Sab
bath, and had relation only to acts OF
worship. The faith must be sound, the
external observance rigid these at
tended to, and the man was perfect
Christian. He could do no wrong.
Mr.. Shaw, on the other hand, while
he was in degree blinded to the want
of true charity US exhibited in Grave
mans ordinary business intercourse
with society, by the glare OF MS plety,
was himself very different man.
Conscious of the hereditary evils OF
his nature, TOO many of which actual
life had confirmed almost into habit,
and sincerely DESTROYS to rise above
them, he was really what the other
pretended to be-humble minded
Ana vet there was no parade of hui
NIFTY IN the external. He rarely took
anactiye part in the affairs of his church
though anxious Tor her prosperity, and
ever ready to devote to herhis worldly
goods or his tune when called upon to
do so.
In his family, he acted the part Of a
wise husband and father. While Mr.
Graveman assumed an austerity Of
manner, and nirpci with the frost o.
rebuke every little blossom that began
to open its leaves on the tender plant;
that were springing up around HIM,
Mr.. Shaw warned them into life and
beauty by his sunny smile. To one
there was a sin in bright ribbon, q
beautiful dress, bow or flower; the
other saw in all external loneliness
whether in forms or colors, the good
things of God, and he used them, and
permitted his family to use them with
grateful acknowledgements to the Givel
Of all natural as well as spiritual bles-
sings. He Disseminated between the
use and abuse, and while the use was
made primary, the tendency to abuse
was carefully restrained.
"Brother Shaw" said Mr.. Grave
man to him one day, with an abrupt
manner and captious voice, "you will
ruin your girls"
81 hope not. What is the mat
Ter ~
"Yos dress them too gayly."
al let my wife attend to all that
She knows better than | do what is suit
ed to them"
.sYour wife. we1ld you let your
wife throw them into the1dock if she
thought it suited them / am plain
spoken man, Mr.. Shaw, as you know,
and my position in the church requires
me to speak plainly aud warn you
now, as in duty bound TO warn an er
ring brother, that if you do not lool
better to your children, they will grow
up and become carnal minded insteai
1 of lovers of truth. They will go gu
into the world and be lost the enem
If mankind viii claim them as hi