The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-15
[From The American Churchmanl
Insure I'm the World Mutual Life Insurance
Company New York.
A SACRED DUTY.

Company New York.
SACRED DUTY.
s'Men should often be put in remembrance to
take order for the setting Of their temporal es-
tates, ,ohiLst they are in hedEl."-Ordrs for the
Visitation Of the Sick.
We fear that 8 large majority of the clergy fail
in fulfilling this branch OF duty. We do not alludo
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
We do not believe that it is possible for us to
say anything new upon this subject.
Although, however, VIC can say no more than
has been already SAID, and said better, by many
good, if only, by agitatng tho subject, and pre-
senting it to some, perhaps, who have never yet
given it much, any, serious consideration.
And it is subject, which comes very legitimate
ly within the scope Of a Religious Paper; inasmuch
as it runs parallel with Christian duties OF the first
importance.
For We hold, that there is no social duty of
greater weight-none, which is more strictly bind
ing upon every head OF household-than that Of
not or the but Gr the
the Providence Of God, look up to him, for sup
port and protection. ,,....-s......
And we think that wo have st. Paul with us,
where he says: any provide not for his own,
and specially for those OF his own house, he hath
denied the. Faith, and is worse than an infidei."
Happily, however, it is so ordered, that in al or
dinary cases, the natural impulses Of feeling and
affection, in this matter, run parallel with the de-
mands of duty. So that-at least, as regards
care for the prospective interests Of ones family,
which involves the Principle of Life Insurance-if
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 ,consideraton-or, having been considered,
and perhaps determined upon, it has been put
aside frem time to time; and so the duty still re-
mains unperformed. -, .f.''''.'.'
But is not delay, in a matter Of such extreme
importance, in ase!f cransasol' How terrible
must be the self upbraidings Of q man, who-weh
knowing that o mortal illness oyertaking him, or
fatal accident Detailing him, in depriving his wife
and children of their natural protector, would at
the same time, cast them, penniless and imp; o.
vided for, upon the cold charity Of selfish world
and CONSCIOUS, too, that at small sacrifice, he
might have provided for such contingenoy.f,,ds
hanaseg dying ,oiL his duty undone r fn"
childrenI Gladly Would he lay down his life for
those objectsof his tenderest affection, il, by 30 do
ing he might Sut secure them from utter poverty
and desolation' But lis TOO late! Gone-never
to return-is th opportunity OF saving them from
the misery of depondence-and, it may be-of
punching ,oant! Z.
This is an Argument which oil can understand;
and which, therefore, can reach the hearts and
consciences OF all fte..' '...I - o.. :.
| We have said thus much upon the subject, be-.
cause we conscieniously believe tho practical up
plioation of the principle Of Life Assurance, to be
ono of the chief sodal mercies which the love of
the GREAT FATHER has conferred upon us;-bo-
cause we believe that the wel-established Institu
lions which develops and apply the principle, are
among the greatest, md noblest, and most bene-
icient, Of all Christhn charities-the direct and
legitimate out-growth Of tho Christian Faith.
And as such, We propose, in afuture number, to
commend them to dlcloSses Of our readers, with
especial reference tho clergy Of the parishes; en-
deavoring, at the sane time, to meet certain con-
scientiots objections, which some good. but, we
think, mistaken persons, have entertained against
them.
J. ALFRED CAY General Agent, Office in rear
Elmore Insurance Company, Law Range. ..-o,