The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-13
From the american Churchn,an.l
Insure In the Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany, New York.
A SACRED DUTY.

"Men should often bo put in remembrance to
take order for the setting Of their temporal es-
tates, aotilSt they are in heaAh."-0rders for The
Visitation Of the Sick.
We fear that large majority Of the clergy, fail
in fulfilling this branch Of duty. We do not allude
to the fact now, however, for the purpose OF find
ing fault with our brethren; but only in order to
justify ourselves in bringing the subject of Life
Insurance into our editorial columns.
We do not believe that it is possible for us to
say anythingnew upon this subject.
Although, however, we can say no moro than
has been already said, and said better, by many
others-still it may be in our power to do some
good, if only, by agitating tho subject, and pre-
senting it to some, perhaps, who have never yet
given it much, if any, srious consideration.
And it is q subject, Unch comes very legitimate
ly within the scope OF Religious Paper; inasmuch
as it runs parallel with Christian duties OF the first
importance.
For we hold, that there is no social duty of
ing upon every head Of a household-than that Of
providing, not merely for the present, but for the
prospective and possible needs, Of those, who, in
the Providence Of God, look up to him. for sup
And we think that we have st. Paul with us,
where he says:-'tlf any provide not for his own,
and specially for those OF his own house, he hath
denied the Faith, and is worse than an infde."
Tim. V. 8.
Happily however, it is so ordered, that in all Or
binary cases, the natural impul.es Of feeling and
affection in this matter, parallel with the de-
mands of duty. So that-at least, as regards
for the prospective interests Of ones family,
which involves the Principle Of Life Insurance
the duty be neglected. such neglect will be found
to arise in vast majority Of cases, not from want
Of natural affection, nor from any doubt about the
incumbent obligations; but simply, from the fact
that either the matter has never been taken into
serious considcration-or, having been considered,
and perhaps determined upon, it has been put
aside from time to time; and SO, the duty still
mains unperformed.
But is not delay, in o matter Of such extreme
Importance, in Itself cr,nanol' How terrible
must be the self upbradings Of man, who-wel
knowing that mortal illness overtaking him, or a
fatal accident Detailing him, in depriving his wife
and children Of their natural protector, would, at
the same time, cast them, penniless and unpro-
vided for, upon the cold charity of selfish world
and conscious, too, that, at small sacrifice, he
might have provided for such q contingency finds
himself dying ,oits his duty undone!
Dearly the unhappy man loves his wife and
childrenl Gladly would he lay down his life for
those objects of his enderes affection IT, by 80 do
ing he might but secure them from utter poverty
and desoation! But il is TOO totei Gone-never
to return-is tho opportunity OF saving them from
the misery of dependence-and, it may be-of
punching soant!
This is an argument which all can understand;
and which, therefore, can reach the hearts and
consciences Of all.
We have said thus much upon the subject, be-
cause We conscientiously believe the practical ap
plication of the principle of Life Assurance to Be
one Of the chief social mercies which the lovo Of
the GREAT FATHER has conferred upon us;-be-
cause We believe that tho wel-established Institu-
tions which deveope and apply tho principle, arc
among the greatest, and noblest, and most bene-
fcient, Of all Christian charities-tho direct and
legitimate out-growth of the Christian Faith.
And as such, we propose, in @ future number, to
commend them to all classes Of our readers, with
especial reference to tho clergy Of the parshes en-
deavoring, at the same time, to meet certain con-
scientious objections, which some good, but we
think, mistaken persons, have entertained against
them. ...
J. ALrREp CAY, General Agent, Office in rear