The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-04-14
Business and Religion.

Young men, Just entering upon the
business of life, fthis article strikes your
eye, tarry moment, and read it.. Bust
ness and Religion? Do you understand
the intimate connection of these two
words? If not, let us consider them.
Suppose we should put the question
to an audience composed of such men as
many OF the business men OF this or any
other nation are. sWhat is the chief end
of business? what is the answer we might
naturally expect from almost any of that
audience? Would it not be, "The end
Of business? Why, the accumulation of
money, to be sure; to accumulate proper
ty. Acquisition; this is it."-And would
not the answer accord with fact? We
fear it would. The father too often ad-
vises his son, the merchant his clerk. the
tradesman his commissioner, the dealer
IN wares his pedler: make what you
can Lose no opportunity OF adding cent
to cent, and dollar to dollar his is
your business Be about it; see to it al
ways
What but this do you read in the con-
tinued strife of most ofthe business world!
In its watchings and wearyings, its ex-
pedients, achievements IN trade, its sue
cess in making the present gain an at
traction for the future; what but this IN
the main desire generally expressed, that
all will be well when the individual be-
comes wealthy! and what but this in the
homage generally paid in the heart to
mere property, when this property may
have least to do with riches that are of
more value than all silver or gold!
Now here is error of the most perni-
cious kind Such is not the just aim of
our eXertioEs, such is not the great end
of the business OF life. 1t is libel on
our nature seriously to pretend so. The
chief end ofbusiness is its moral, its re.
ligious end. We can come to no other
conclusion, if we consult the new Tes-
lament We never find an intimation
here that business and religion are dis
connected. Such was the idea Of the
Apostle when he wrote, CIV hatsoever We
do in word or in deed, do 1t all in the
name OF the Lord Jesus. Whatsoever We
do, do 1t heartily as TO the Lord, and not
unto men, knowing that Of the Lord We
shall receive the reward Of the inherit
ance, for We serve the Lord Christ" Nor
this his conception when he gave his
brethren direction to be "not slothful in
business, fervent in spirit, serving the
Lort'. The business OF life is blended
with the religion Of ii. 1t is to be pur-
sued not with the idea of accommodating
riches as an end; but with the conviction
that money is a means only. and truth,
honor, and integrity, the great ends
And there is noble field for the cult
walton Of these virtues in the life of ev-
cry business man. 1t is falsehood and
shame to pretend that men must be only
honest as trade and the time may admit,
when they pursue the business of life.
As well might We consider every calling
in lite game of deceptlon with our
selves and our race. No such thing. Let
the tradesman, let every man of business
remember, that business itself is one of
heavens ordinations to instruct US in
truth, goodness, benevolence. and that
eternal justice, which says to all, GAS
you would that men should do unto you,
do we even the same unto them; for this
is the law and the prophets"
Young man, consider this connection
of the business with the religion of life.
Never lose sight oft. So shall you gain
that treasure of heaven, which gold and
multitude of rubies' could not secure.
and which no vIcissituaes of capricious
or outrageous fortune can annul or des-
troy.-Gospel Truth.