The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-05-03
Living Beyond our Means.

FOR the sake OF appearance, to
keep up display and make figure in
the world, multitudes adopt the vicious
habit of spending more than they
earn. Pride and fashion exercise a
merciless despotism over their purs-
es. The rich in their abundance do
not feel the burden, but when the some.
thing rs attempted by those in 1noder
ate and humble circumstances, then
"comes the tug of war;" In order to
ape the attitudes Of wealth, they ex-
haust all their resources, and ev-
ell strain their credit till it is perfec-
tlv threadbare.
There is much in the habits and
customs of society furnishing strong
temptation to this course; yet it is Il
serious evil. 1t is not right rs be-
tween man and man; it is an extrava-
gance that carries in its train pccu-
mary injustice. He who lives beyond
hs means must supply the deficiency
from the pockets ofhis neighbors, very
often upon the strength of deceptive
credit. His very display gives him
an appearance of affluence that mis-.
guides the Judgment of others. EIe
knowingly passes himself Oft for more
than he is worth, and what is this but
species Of fraud?
There is Of course an end to this
habit, somewhere, the commercial rep
utation of the Individual must finally
be swamped by the number of his
unpaid Indebtedness; yet the whole
process is one Of dishonesty, even be-
fore this catastrophe reveals it. No
Christian ought to be guilty Of it. He
not only disgraces himself thereby, but
also jeopards the reputation of religion
among men.
1t is moreover a very uncomforta-
bic habit. He who lives above his
means, generally owes more than he
can pay; and the farther he goes, the
worse he makes his condition. lie
becomes stereotyped borrower; pays
one debt 6y contracting another, has
a great many debts to pay-little, pet
ty, annoying bills scattered in all di.
rections, which he does not know how
to meet. They are constantly haunt
ing him with the unpleasant clamors;
they sacrifice his reputation, and give
the community the just impression that
he is poor pay-paster. All this
must be source Of great inconveni.
ence and perplexity, far too great
to find an adequate compensation in n
little meaningless parade. 1t would
be far wiser, involve much less fric.
ton of tho nerves, to shine less and en-.
joy more
The temptations of the habit are
both numerous and dangerous. 1t
tempts man to sacrifice his sense of
honor, to place light estimate upon
his word, to be easy in promising, and
very slow in fulfilling. His moral
principles become loose, and pass into
the state Of decay. His wants bribc
him; and he is likely, under the plea of
necessity, to do what under other cir
cumstancns he would not think of do.
ing. Sometimes he is led to con.
tract debts, and then move away, leav-
ing them urseltl ! and unpaid. Per-
haps nc runs his Il in one place till
lie runs it out; and then does the same
ting in another, till he finally
runs himself out.
t1e is tempted to acts of mcanness,
not to say dishonesty such a doaging
kis creditors, and making promises
Yai u lie docs no: seriously expect to
fulfil t.!a yir;aa IS a.waya t&2ad and
s:.aiaed ~ h!s pylda an TIRE oae Aani,
and tie inCvnverieHccs Of his ez.gava.
car-a ~ .le o,te-. n~,i Snt,raa~ ,he