The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-07-28
H

Reform.
This is most emphaticalIy the age OF
reform, We are mad for improvement,
from the tie of cravat, or the pattern of
bonnet, up to matters of morals, politics
and religion. The world is full of reform
societies, and each member is bent on re-
forming everything-except himself
The history Of the reform convention held
at Rutland, is especially interesting to the
student of human nature. Almost every
evil in society was fiercely denounced, but
give these apostles Of reform power to root
out the evil, and they would intiict death
wounds on all that is true, noble, gener-
Gus and pure. Their motives may be
good, but practically they are allies with
the whole Satanic school of libertines and
outlaws. In the name of .'human rights"
| the most rampant of these reformers
would overthrow all law-thIs accom-
| plish the very thing which the felon de-
slres. In the name Of religion they would
destroy III the institutions of Christianity,
tat its spirit and essence might be more
visible and effectual, thus practically join
ing hands with the atheist. In the name
of chastity, they would abolish the holy
vows of marriage and substitute "attrac-
tons instead, thus doing in the name of
morality what the licentious do for the
satisfaction of SHINING. Impelled by mo-
tives of good, perhaps, they are effective
helpers of the devil. in the work of de-
stroving the faith and conscience Of the
world.
! Hawthorne, in the character of Hol-
lingsworth, has shown the danger of being
reformer by profession, and adopting
phiIanthrophy as trade. With noble
soul. a great, generous heart, and an hon
est purpose, he pursued his own adopted
reform with such zeal that he lost all
broad and inspiring views Of truth, his
heart became ossitied, Iris sympathies
gradually were narrowed down, until at
last from very sense Of duty lie became
fiend.
There is another class of reformers.
more conservative, who trust a great deal
in organizations, speeches, and regalias
Of this class are the various secret orders
of temperance societies. They doubtless
accomplish good, but too often their work
is mere surface work. A drunkard joins
the Templars" or the ''Sons." We say
he has reformed. 1t is not so. A reform
alton has become possible, perhaps proba-
| bic, but not certain. 1t takes time to re-
| form, or form anew such a man--to build
up habits Of sobriety and industry on the
ruins of shattered manhood. The swear
er may leave off his profanity, but he has
not reformed until there is formed in his
soul such reverence for the Supreme
Being that he will fear to trifie with his
holy name.
1t is easier to destroy than to build up.
The true reformer is the one who builds.
Ifmy character is depraved, and my life
is faulty, you Will not ieform me by con
tinually pointing out those faults, but by
yourself living such life that I shall be
shamed and reproved by the contrast.
Doubtless there is good in reform that
is wholly external, and leaves the heart
untouched, but at best it is incomplete.
True reform is coincident with religion,
and reformation is seen in completeness
and beauty only when a human soul has
surrendered itself to obey the bchests of
conscience and the laws Of God.