The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-11
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH II, 1886
BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATIONS.
CONCLUDED,

Now, we ask with all affection, that such
would pause, examine again the motive by
which they are led TO act, and the influence Of
ther conduct upon others, remembering that
none sheuld live exclusively for themselves.
Frequently, we know, that some Of the iastilu-7
tions we have named, have for their leaders
men whose lives have not been such in reie-
renee 70 stability and good morals, as 10 inilu-
ence others to trust their example, though ID
some particular il may be good we may
here modestly remark, it would De well icr
those who have been wanting with regard 10
stability Of character, in changing their course
At any time, (though the change may be q rea-
sonable one, and promise good, not 10 be too
prominent (or forward as il is said) Let others
who have been long and welLtried go forward.
We do know men who profess Christianity,
and who remain members Of churches, the
conduct Of whom is very Objectionable in many
particulars, yet this is no valid objection to
Christianity itself. The Bibleis the Christians
chaxts i i = plain one, and as private judg-
ment is the the right Of man, if he mistake the
road, Of refuse 10 walk ia it, he is accountable,
and if not called TO account by the society in
which he holds his membership, he will have
TO give an account at higher Tribunal.
We have known members of benevolent
associations who were very loose in their mo-
rails, and acted contrary to the obligations they
had taken upon them, but does this 60 10 say
that the institution itself was bad? We think
not we look at its principles as they are to be
found, its constitution and rules, and at the
conduct of The institution as such, acting un-
der those rules; and even ii case should pre-
sent itself, lnone such, however, have ever
fallen under our observation where whole
society, belonging to one of these establish
lments, should agree to trample down rule and
order, and live as seemeth to them best, either
in Christian community, or in beneficial
association, this would be no argument
against the Institution itself; every thing may
be. abused, if the mind be unenlghtened, or
in the churches, acting against the morality Of
the Bible, expelled. We have known men
in The benevolent associations to which we
have referred, expelled for their immoral con-
duct, and If they are dealt with according to
their rules no man can live an immoral life
and continue a member, any more than he
can a member of Christian church. We
have thus spoken what we know, and bear
testimony TO what we have seen, and we come
to this conclusion, that while we are not to go
n. L. IL SILL
with any association to do good.
The fact is, we believe that men who do not
Christianity may perform duties
which Christians neglect, and Christians may
.becomesa Incorporate in their zeal for Christian
faith as to overlook Christian works Let eve
ry man know, as he may know, and every
man acknowledge, as he ought to acknowledge,
tina, Christianity has given the influence which
operates TO the performance of good works,
though they may be performed by bad men.
Let Christians learn that it is their duty to fol-
low men, if men cannot be brought to the
truth, carry the truth TO them where they are,
it you can do it without compromise. ,f
We should regret 10 learn that any member
of any of the institutions Of which we have
spoken, should contract the habit of using in
toxicating drinks and live an immoral life, die
under the influence OF delerium tremens, and
be buried with all the ceremony and respect
Of member who was in good standing. We
should regret that any member Of any Chris
tian denomination should disgrace his profess
sion. and live in violation of his obligations.
II Christians, everywhere, will discharge their
duty, the necessity will not exist for the insti-
t1tions we have noticed-,hey will inspire be-
nevolence, with faiih-and If these institutions
will, in moral point of view, live up TO their
obligations, then il will be known that they are
OF God.
Three benevolent institutions, with which il
is our privilege TO be acquainted, have for their
object nearly the same views; they may differ
somewhat as to form and ceremony: they are
all intended to lessen misery and increase hui
man happiness. Two of them are temperance
societies on the Total Abstinence principle, ex-
pressed tthe other temperance society on the
same principle, implied. Christianity en-
braces them all-- Christians are among them
all--even though all may not embrace Chris
tanIty in all its porfs