Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-03
Communications.
WRITTEN FOR THE VERMONT PHDstx.
CHURCH F.1IRS .F.vD FBSTI-
wills.

The tendency of the age affords an ample
theme for contemplation to the thoughtful
moralist. The season for concerts, fairs,
festivals, donations, and numerous other
gatherings for every imaginable purpose of
charity, TO close observer, cannot fail to
show a large share of disguised scfishness
infused into this ostensible philanthropy.
When mention is made in the local press
of the unwearied exertions of fair women
and brave men, leaders in church fest-
and the aggregate amount realized is her
aided to their praise, we are too apt TO for
get that selfish motive or love Unpopular
ity may be tho moving cause of their ac-
ton, rather than pure disintercsted benev-
olence; and the leading lights in these en-
terprses expect an ample reward, aside
from the social benedictions so abundantly
lavished on the spot.
However these fairs and festivals for the
support of religious and benevolent enter
priscs may strike the popular mind, the
candid and thoughtful observer sees moth
ing in the result but a laXity of moral prin-
ciple that is ever essential to the best good
Of any community. Practses are not I'M
frequently resorted to for the purpose of
gain, that under other circumstanc es would
be considered crime and in direct viola
ton of the laws of the State. Whether the
modern practise of benevolent enterprise
is not sapping the vital principle Of moral
integrity, that is indispensable to the con-
tinucd growth and progress of our republic
and its free institutions, is n question of no
ordinary importance to the true philan-
thropist. Religion, too, may be despoiled
of its sacred power over the souls of many
who, ostcnsibly for the purpose of support
| ing it, may be induced to resort to means
entirely unwarranted by the divine pre-
ccpts of its Great Founder. And beside
the disparagement of the true principles o
the Christian religion, it is cultivating il
| the minds of the young the germ of selfish
ness, and a hope of obtaining some valua
BILE prize without paying an equivalent ant
| schooling them in games of chance, tina
| has proved the ruin of multtudes of prom
sng young men.
Practises tolerated by religious organiza
tons of whatever kind, afford a pretext t.
thoughtless youth to practise games o
chance in other forms, and not unfrequent
ly serve AS Il stepping stone to the mos
reckless habits of vice. 1t is lamentabl
indeed to contemplate the sad influence tn
numerous fairs and social festivals ar
working in the moral and religious feelini
of the mass of our people. In our feverisl
haste for wealth and popularity we are ap
to forget that the true guide to our useful
ness, as summed up in a staid and quie
phrase in an old catechism, ITO do my du
ty in that state of life in which it shall pleas
God to call me-" embodes the whole sprl
of individual worth, as well as a nation
greatness. Wordsworth, in one of his rich
est odes, exclaims: "Stern daughter of tn
voice of God, o, Duty!" And Tennysor
also, in his ode on the death of the Duke
Wellington, pays not less valuable tribut
to him that treads the path Of duty. II
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