Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-10-14
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD.
BY r. S. ARTHUR.

Mr.. shaw and Mr.. Graveman were
members Of a certain denomination which
can boast of as many worthy and truly
pous members as any other sect of Chris.
tans, and ofquiie as many "back Sheep
They were both engaged in the wholesale
grocery and -four business. One OF them,
Mr.. Graveman, held an official station
called class leader, and feeling the i'm.
poriance Of his station, assumed what to
him seemed a necessary sanctimonious
exterior. He was very scrupuIousIy plain
in his own dress, and strictly required bis
family 10 abstain from all yanities of this
wicked world.
As a member of the church, among
members Of the church, Mr.. Gra,eman
stood high. As business man, among
business men, he was known rs one oft he
closest bargain. makers-too close 10 be al.
ways an observer Of the golden rule
Provorbial on the one side for exemplary
plety, he was proverbal on the other for a
selfish love Of gam. He did not take his
religion into the world, for he could not
see that it had any business thcro. Rei-
gion was for the Sabbath, and had rea-
ton only to acts Of worship. The faith
must be sound, the external observance
rigid these attended to and the man was
perfect Christian, he could do no wrong.
Mr.. Shaw, on the other hand, while he
was in degree blinded to the want of true
charity as exhibited in Graveman's ordina.
~ business intercourse with society, by
the glare of his piety, was himself very
different man. Conscious Of the heredit.
ary evils Of his nature, too many OF which
actual life had confirmed almost into habit,
and sincerely desirous TO rise above them,
he was really what the other pretended 10
bo-hum5le minded. And yet there was
no external parade Of humility. He rare
ly took an active part in The affairs of his
church, though anxious for her prosperity,
and ever ready 10 devote 10 her his world
" goods or his time when called upon TO
do so.
In his family he acted The part Of a wise
husband and father. While Mr.. Grave.
man assumed an aus.erily of manner, and
nipped with the frost of rebuke every llt-
tie blossom that began 10 open It's leaves
on the tender plants that were sPtnglng
up around him, Mr.. Shaw warmed them
into life and beauty by bis sunny SMILE
To one there was sin in bright ribbon, a
beautiful dress, bow or flower; the 9TH
er saw in all external loyeliness welher IN
forms or colors, the good things OF God'
and he used Them, and permitted his lam
ilv 10 use them, with grateful acknowI'
odpments 10 the Giver Of all natural as
we'll as spiritual blessings. He dIScrlm,
mated between the use and the abuse; ana
while the use was made primary, the len
dency TO abuse was carefully restrained
"Brother Shaw" said Mr.. Graveman'
one day, with an abrupt manner ana a :,
cautious voice, "you will ruin yourglrls'
81 hope not. What is the matterl"
q "You dress them too gaily."
81 lei my wife attend TO all that. she
trows better than do what is suited 10
"Yopr wiel Would you let your wife
throw them into the dock if she thought II
suited theml | am Plain.spoken man. e
Mr.. Shaw, as you know, and my PoslI!on
in the church requires me to speak pam,
ly: and warn you now, as in duly oouIu
10 warn an,errng brother, that u you iS1 GT
not look better TO your children, 'ney VIII VIII
nv W." It..oo,,,o On rnol minded instead
oflovers of truth. They will 60 out inc
the world and be lost the enemy oil man
Kind will claim them as his own"
"You are very serious Mr.; Groveman Grave!
bu, for my life can see no danger. =,
aNo dangerl" Bless me- is IS there sreI,' ne
danger in dressing up "a child IN nowe,, nov. !,
and ribbons and all sorts oil gew'gam9 ., y
turn her head and a make a ioo' VI "e'
"a thing which do not do" j.,
"Allhough you permit your vile 10 u
it." :. A. III,
,tN1o nor doeo nv wife do II. MY chi