The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-12-09

II
it. A man may, for instance, contract
debt, which is not to be paid for three
orsix months. 1t is not now due, and
consequently he does not now .'owe' it
IN the proper sense of the term. But the
principle involved in the passage would
require him to meet his obligation ex-
actly at the time when it falls due; and
consequently to contract the debt, if he
did so at all, and to make all his arrange
ments accordingly. 1t would then re-
qulre great care at the commencement,
and at every stage of the proceeding.
Whilst therefore the precept sowe no
man any thing does not necessarily for
bid credit founded upon a secure basis,
it would undoubtedly, in its legitimate
operation, do away with much of the
present credit system, and abolish the
unnumbered evils that follow in its train.
And whilst it becomes the creditor at all
times, and especially in times like the
present, to exercise all due forbearance,
every man ought to feel that there is a
solemn duty resting upon him, to make
every possible exertion, and to practice a
rigid economy and self-denial in order
to meet his obligations Of pecuniary ma
ture, as well as of every other kind.
1t may be appropriately remarked in
this immediate connection, that the prin-
ctptes Of tile Bible are evidently at war
ruth spirit Of hazardous speculation.
Such a course, viewed in the light of a
sound political economy, is unwise. and
In the end disastrous to the best inter-
ests OF the community. Brought to the
test of the infallible standard of rectitude,
1T is seen to involve sacrifice Of moral
principle. Now, it is undeniable that
there has been such spirit abroad in all
parts OF the land-and not least in our
own highly favored country of the west.
And it is equally NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
as we may to disguise the unpleasant
truth-that it has had much to do in
bringing upon us the reverses under
which we struggle. God in his provi-
dence has made this spirit of wild specu-
lation the occasion of its own fearful re-
buke. Since, then, the principles Of
Christianity, legitimately carried out,
would have prevented such hazardous
speculation, they would also have pre-
vented the evils that have followed in its
train. Instead of producing season of
inflated prosperity followed by cores
ponding season of depression, they would
have conducted the individual, the COM
munitv, and the country steadily onward
in the highway of permanent prosperity.
Christianity also promotes the .happi-
ness of the people, because IL establishes
the Home, with all its kindly influences
and endearing associations. The home,
in Christian lands, is very different
thing from the home in all countries.
whether ancient or modern, destitute of
the Gospel.
Christianity has exerted salutary and
powerful influence in the elevation of
Woman to her appropriate sphere in all
her relations as Mother, Wife, Sister,
Daughter, Friend. In this respect, the
Gospel has done vastly more than any
other agency to refine and elevate society
to promote the welfare and happiness
e !as nssa!s. gAEississ#aiaas iasrI;;;
tender care for the domestic relations,
and throws over them her sheltering
wing. In the home, as thus established,
the children are trained to useful mem
bers of society. Their education is not
merely intellectual it is also moral not
merely of the head but also of the heart.
Train up child in the way that he
should 60 !; and when he is old, he will
not depart from it," Without such train
ing, children will be liable to become
pests to society, demoralized and demon
alizing all that come within the range of
their influence. But with the training,
which the Gospel requires, and the Di-
vine blessing upon it, they will become
ornaments to the community, and useful
members of the body polite.
We shall not now speak Of the beneficial
results Of the School and Of the Church,
as institutions Of Christianity. Nor can
we delay to enumerate the asylums. hos
pitfalls, and institutions Of various kinds
founded in Christian lands for the relief
of the helpless victims of want and mis-
fortune. We must also pass by the
Christian Sabbath, with all It's moulding
influences and hallowed associations
Suffice, it to say that the Home, the
School and the Church, deeply imbued
with the spirit of the Gospel, exert a most
benign and salutary influence upon the
best interests of man, even for the present
life. Through these. and various other
agencies, and especially through the
agency Of the Spirit of the Living God,
Christianity tends to promote among
men all that is true, and excellent, and
lovely and thus to secure their highest
happiness. " Whatsoever things are
true" says an inspired Apostle, "what-
soeyer things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, what
soever things are of good report (; if there
be any virtue, if there be any praise ):
THINK ON THESE THINGS.
1tmight have been previously remark
ed that the Gospel catlttvates peace between
man and man-between state and state
between nation and nation. BY lis trans
forming power upon individual hearts,
and its general influence upon the com
munity If removes tha causaS of diSsen