The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-01-25
laislflla!kons.
The Power of Association. e. I

= 81.
The Power of Association. ~
Man is eminently sociaEm ii his nature. His
inclinations, no less than his interests, powerful
ly attract him to hisieIlows. True, there are:
those, with human form and features, who stand
aloof from society and, wrapt in their own COM.
temptible selfshness, pursue the journeytof life
las solitary travellers. But these are not men,.
/ They have not the spirit of men. They have
Ilostthe better instincts Of our common nature.
They belle all the nobler attributes Of their spe-
cies. At best, they are only the exceptions which
serve to illustrate and confirm the general prin-
ciple. Everywhere and ID all circumstance even
in the earliest ages and rudat tribes, men have
leagued themselves together IN various compacts; !;
sacrificing, without a murmur, their indiyiduali-
sty, to ensure associate effort in aggression or de-
fence and, especially in the civilized state cheer
fully sainquishing powers and privileges guaran7,
tied to; them by the laws of nature for the re-
lation Of subject, citizen and disciple because
| they Lave ascertained that union Of forces is.
necessary in any great achieyement that CON,
eertedsa and, systematic action gains dyantagesI
whichFhe most vigorous individual efforts could
never secure. g stssssSS
Thislis principle Of universal applicability.
Whatever the enterprise, aUnion is Strength, y
The showers descend to the eafth in separate
drops innumerable, and so gentless their infu-:
ence that it only beauties the face of nature; I
but one half those drops, united, will form a
torrent which shall burst through the granite
mountains, desolating the landscape for hum
dred leagues. "Spread out the thunder,n says,
| int IN
lullaby for children; pour it forth together, in
one quick peal, and the royal sound shall move
the heavens" An army, with catered forces
and no concert Of action, would be ntterly inefis
cient but, combined under proper; Officers with
definite object, and concentrati0n of lower
they might subdue cities, subver empires and.
convulse the world. The primitiye Christians,
"were of one heart and one soul and SO faI =
was the triumph of their cause, that the
had scarcely fallen asleep, when Christ as-
cended the throne of the Casars soon
as its disciples lost their original nifty Of in
terest and unity of action in Hftless specula-
tions and uncharitable dispute [he Church be-
came comparatively powerlea The advantages
already gained were forfeited and the moral
1 world began to retrogade wards it former
shaos.
In every work of BENG Hence or charity, as.
Esociation develops our efgies and resources,
and aids us in their pE(per application. Con-
certedeffort enlarges sphere of influence, and
increases our individtal efficiency, Should every
man remain isolated, and act Independently Of
the rcst, though Hefm each heart, and strong
eaah bAad, sbleI sratiyely, would be their
influence, and Niger the result. But let all
unite in fratern5 compact, coalition Of love {;
let them mingle 1eir councils, concert their ar
rangements, and sact Systematically and harmo-
niously together md their blended wisdom and
energy, prompted ~ loveand guided BY Heaven,
shall bless mani till the millennium.
One obvious Eantage of this law of associa-
ton, is it's ada Stion to deveope the better sym
! pathies of the 6uman soul. Who that has felt
the value Of Gend-tbat has participated in a
brothers Joy, wept out his woes into broth
er's bosom, caV il to admire this feature of its
influenced It ings home to his heart, in all
the freshness q heir moral power, the eternal
i obligations of d herly kindness and charity
BY cemented fhdships, and community Of
sentiment, and &he frequent interchange of
thoughts, and 81 consequent development of
social qualities, itStends obviously to the i'm
Provement OF enafac by Ine force s oL Oh mum aan
! oers' ana tne lnhue2ss OF example ana tne CON
taglon o, united y R2ses' anu tne auglnen.aIos
et lnoi'idual resPons i.y IL SUITS 10 grea1 anu
generous enterprises Ike the dinerent Parts OF
well-constructed AZ yell regulated machine
4 all move in harmony gch acting upon the other
and the great whole ding to one beneheent
result lhe nash ol 1e eye Einoles anotner'
tear tne voice OF lies nnos l au ecno( III tne
! O'-. ,00>,-.sO''