The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-13

SsPROPER INCENTIVES TO ACTION
S>The intellectual faculties Divine wisdom has
implanted in man show that they were given
him for high and noble purposes. These ia
cultes give that dignity TO man that elevates
him above the brute creation. The general
life and action Of mankind appears, however,
to be contrary to the original design of the
Creator. The multitude seem to live to luxu-
riate in the qualification Of their sensual pro-
pensi,ies. They live to have their existence
crowned with personal success.
But the course which the majority take is
not the criterion by which independent men are
controlled. The temperance man, for instance,
is not governed by the opinion Of euery body.
His conduct is based upon principles, Prin-
ciples in themselves as powerful as truth itself,
and as philanthropic as the suferings they al
leviate and the miseries they destroy. Their
guide is the infallible rule Of right Here is
displayed great and grand system of univer-
sal benevolence. Any actwhich tends to self
aggrandsement or selfn,erest, is forbidden.
This rule requires us 10 do good to all men, as
we desire them in return to do towards us. In
this system is the foundation oftotal abstinence
principles, and the motive to action for all dis
interested and humane men,
The organization Of society is that Of fra
ternity. He who lives and acts contrary TO
such an organization, would be willing to break
the bonds Of social happiness and trample un-
der foot the great constituent Of our Union.
"peace and good will" Still we know there
are such. There have, at all times, been men
who, by their desire for rivalry, have filled the
world with chaos and enmity. There have
been men who have exuI,ed upon the battle
field amidst the din of arms and the loss of life,
| at victories which alone benefited them. The
plains of Pharsalia overfowed with the best
blood of Rome, and the city itself presented. in
the weepings of the bereaved, one scene of de-
ISOLATION and horror All, too, caused by the
rivalry OF two ambitious men. Some are led
blindly on by the bewitching appearances of
fortune and power. They think the highest
point OF man IS ambition to be 10 revel in those
objects which to human sight have the air Of
pride and glory. Some to gain reputation.
while they are upon earth, will, when public
| calls are made upon their benevolence "pour
out their money like water" or engage In
public operations, which, IN themselves, are
philanthropc, to get the name Of the liberal
and the good Some, yea many, live, dispens-
ing for the sake of filthy lucre, misery and wo,
by selling intoxicating liquors
They are content to gid that abused mont.
tor. conscience, under the plea that their traffic
is licensed by laD, forgedul that God "seeth
not as man." and that his laws are correct
laws by which we are TO be. Judged and hu-
man laws are often wrong forgetful that the
blood of many of their customers may then
be found upon their skirts. Yes, there arc
men who live and act in this business. deafen-
ing every moral sensibity, and needless OF the
thunder heard upon Sinai. Thou shalt not
kill" and sec daily inscribed, as it were, upon
every drunkard, ".No drtn.kard shall inherit
the kingdom Of Heaven' o! the awlulness
of the rum-seer at the judgment
Such are some Of the unworthy motives by
which many are governed. But those who
act from the desire 10 benefit themselves and
their fellow men at the same time, are those
who form blessings to society The man who
stands before the world pleading It's best well
fare has satisfaction in feeling that his life
has been of some service. Conscience bears
testimony that he is using his faculties in the
way they were intended to be used and the
commands Of God to do good are by him full
filed Here is reared monument of glory
as durable as philanthropy. Men, in their
different occupations, may be the admiration
OF a nation but unless their actions are prop
er and from unselish purposes. they will soon
sink into oblivion. Too little regard has been
paid to that heroism, if may so call it, which
dspenses blessings upon the poor, succors the
needy, and assists the unfortunate. But a
brighter day is arriving, As We advance in
knowledge, virtuous actions are rising in inn
por,ance, But far better would il have been
| for the world, if men would have acted from
correct principles. VIGEs.