Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-09-16
Published BY reques! Of sereral gf our readers
CONSTITUTION
OF TIE
SELF-EXANIINING SOCIETY.

AMONG the many societies established in
our country to extend the principles of Chris
tianity, and to improve the morals Of the
community at large, it is q subject of real
regret, that while SO laudable zeal is man
ifes,ed, and SO much pains tuken to remove
the mote from our neighbor's eye, there is
no society formed, no pains taken TO induce
men 10 cast the beam out Of their own, or,
in other words, society whose end and aim
shall be to examine our own hearts and lives,
and see il we ourselves are not guilty oil
some habits and vices that need reform,
which are equally as bad as those which We
are so ready 10 discover in our neighbors.
This Society, it would seem, ought TO take
the lead Of all others, and it should be The
first object Of our exertions to suppress our
own fcllies and vices" Physician heal thy.
SELF" is ar admonition from the highest au.
thority, and is as applicable 10 the Scrbes
and Pharisees now as it was eighteen hun.
dred years ago.
Did the members Of our popular societies,
as well as Others, take half the pains to en-
anime themselves, and correct their own
faults, that they do TO hunt up and expose
the faults and lollics Of others, how much
more like Christians would they ac,? How
much more peaceabls would be the condi-
ton of every community and neighbolhood.
And were Society for Self. Examination
once Instituted, in this or any other place,
and as popular as our Temperance Societies
and many others now are, how much run
ming 10 and fro, of numbers standing at the
street.corners +" thanking God that they are
not like other men," ready 10 denounce their
fellows for single offence, while they at
the same time, are guilty Of many acts
more criminal in the eyes Of God Of Charity
and forgiveness.
In consideration Of the above, the follow
ing constitution is given for the good OF the
"whole people,"
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE l. This Society shall be known
by the name Of the .'Self. Examining Socie-
ty,' and shall be composed of all parties,
sex and color capable Of moral improvement.
ART. 2. The object Of this Society shall be
while we see others faults, 10 feel and cor.
rect our own. To suppress all manner of
deceit and hypocrisy, SANDER ard dcfama'
ton, back.biting and evil speaking, which
all tends to injure, or deftaud our neighbor
either Of his peace or property.
ART. 8. This Society shall be independ-
emit of all other Societies: cach member shall
be vested with full powers and privileges 10
attend TO his own concerns, and lot those Of
Others alone. No Presidents, Vice Presi-
dents, Secretaries, Spies, InfOrmers, Commit
tees, shall ever be chosen by this Society 10
watch over the conduct Of others, or make
reports Of their neighbours misdongs, until
such work Of charity shall have begun at
home.
ART. S. There shall be no public or pri-
vale meetings of this Society, on any ap-
pointed days, to manage their concerns or
hear lectures delivered before it, bu, it shall
be the duty Of every member to meet him
self alone every day and listen to the lee
turo Of his own conscience, keeping the
Gospel as his guide.
ART. 4. No money shall be raised from
time 10 time, for funds to support this socie-
ty OR to circulate Self Eyamiug tracts, or pay
Ministers or Lawyers, FOR delivering address.
es TO convince US how much easier it is TO
examine others than it is TO examine our.
selves.
ART. 6. Every member Of this Society
shall pay due regard to Temperance. in eat
ing and drinking and everything else. But
he shall be his own judge what he shall eat
and drink, and wherewi,hal he shall be
clothed; while Glullony, Drunkenness,tght
lacing and bustles, shall be left TO the snaw-
ings Of conscience and consumption and
ridicule, with all the reprcach they deserve,
ART. Everything shall be called by lis
right name; men shall not put bitter for
sweet nor sweet for bitter, nor call for beer
when they want rum, nor cider, nor wine
when they mean brandy or gin. And no
inkeeper shall put new wine into old bottles
of French Brandy iorthe use Of his temper
ate customcrs-and no grocer or merchant
shall sell preparations Of whisky for Nal.
aga or Madeira Wine, or St. Croix rum.
ART. S. Every member Of this Society
shall be allowed to drink lea or coffee, cold
water or hot water, buttcrmilk or lemonade,
MS It suits him best, or to chew or smoke
tobacco, or to take snuff, when not offensive
to the company he is in, without being en-
communicated from the society, or to tho
buile,ing of the cold wuler pharisees. -
ART. Q. No member Of this society shall
SET himself above his fellows, aud establish
his character and consequence by backing
h;s npiuhbor's name. thinking to make his