Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-11-05

false marks on merchandise, the false adver-
tisenents, and other mixed deceptions, which
are no less hated of God than those false bal
ances with their false weights which Holy
Scripture has declared to be 9 an abonination
to the Lord
lt has fostered the most irrational outlay
In shops, dwellings, dress, equipage, and en-
tertalnment, exhibiting an extravaganza suf-
fclent to provoke sarcasm, did not sorrow for
the loss OF Christian and republican simplic-
ity preclude ether emotions.
1t has produced combinations by means of
which the cost of food has been unreasonably
increased, to the great injury Of those who
were In moderate circumstances, especially to
the poor, and this has incurred the guilt of
extOrtion.
1t has filed society with luxurious sensu-
aiism, which has already gone far to curse
the youth of the land, who were growing up
under its influence.
1t has engendered monstrous spirit of
peculation, destroyed much of our faith in
Legislative virtue, produced horrid progeny
of fraud among men holding public and pri-
yate trust-and by these means, has eaten as
canker into the very heart of public conf
dence
1t has trampled on that sacred law, which,
by enjoining religious rest for body and
soul, aims to cool down and keep cool the fe-
verish spirit Of gain; making many of the
great corporations which are the carriers of
the land, agents of great mischief, and suf-
ferers from "a great punishment.
But why enumerate all the evils which the
craving for speedy fortune, under the name
OF enterprize, has brought upon our day, and
upon every other period when it has ruled the
traffic of the world. The question is whether
tod is not at war with any system which pro-
eeeds upon principles and involves consequen-
ces so offensive to Him, SO nexious to the in
dlEldual and to society? And to this question,
beloved brethren. you know well there can be
bat one answer Verify, there is Il God who
Judgeth in the earth" Can any one fail to
see his majestic Jurisdiction in the means bv
which he has made this madness of men re-
coil upon them, and forced c0vetousness to be
It's own punishment? In the very heart Of a
land abounding with the elements of wealth,
he lays his hand upon it, and locks it up for
a season. By,a touch of his finger he affects
the securities of property until they seem to
crumbie. The air is thick with the dust of
falling and fallen fortunes. Where is now
the wise man, where the secure and boasting
man who presumptueusly thought that our
material prosperity was beyond reach? God
has brought to nought the understanding of
the wise. lie has defeated their counsels at
every point. At a time when men slept"
the moth has frayed, the rust has eaten, the
thief has stolen. In this catastrophe. the in.
necent indeed have suffered with the guilty.
81 much the worse for the guilty. The inno-
cent shall have their compensation in spiritual
good. But what we would ROW have you OBJ
serve, is the simplicity of the methods by
which God has caused a spirit of fear and
distrust to demolish the towering fabric which
but a little while ago seemed so stable, and
called forth so much boasting. When God
wills, the building shall cease to fall.
Meanwhile, Christian brethren, we pray
you to stand still and ask the meaning of the
catastrophe. But more especially, we com
mend you to consider how far any of you, by
free and bold speech, enforced by a wise and
consistent example of moderation and integ
rity IN your plans of business. can aid in re-
constructing the edifice of public and private
credit upon Christian principles. Now is the
time to attempt this difficult but necessary
task. Keep yourselves unspotted by the base
practices which we have held up for your
warning. Utter your remonstrances against
them. Rather suffer the martyrdom Of Chris
tian poverty, than consent to countenance the
least departure from the straightforward paths
at integrity. Honesty in all things is one Of
the great wants of the world at this moment
Now is the time for the Church of Christ at
least to set her mark upon all shams and lies
and frauds, however cOnsecrated by usage
Let her pupits lift up the voice of warning,
and let her tribunals arrest and discipline the
least violation by one of her pledged subjects
of those laws of God which enioin honesty in
word and deed.
But, we beseech yeu TO remember also that
a legal integrity may be preserved, and We
an absorbing leve of gain eat out the spiritual
life of the soul. We solemnly counsel you.
brethren, to let your moderation be known
unto all men. BE content with the calmly
gotten fruits of a steady but temperate activ-
ity. God has often written for our instruction
his estimate of the mere riches of the world.
He is enforcing his lessons at this moment
Crave not a condition of which the dangers
are more numerous and greater than the
pleasures Rather recall the sad history of
multitudes who furnish US with d memorable
comment on the warning of Him who never
spoke an idle word, and said, " How hardly
shall they that have riches enter into the
kingdom of Cod