Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-11-18
The Political Economy of Religion.

Suppose we have a little talk about
politicaI economy, and then apply some
of its principles to religion. Certain
men have tried all along to test religion
bv- geology, and astronomy, and bl-
oIogy; let US try our hand in this new
field and see what there is in the doc
trine of values as applied to religion.
The question is not how much religion
YOU can buy for a dollar, but 1t is a
question Of values nevertheless. A
common and fair maxim is that the
value of anything depends upon its
cost; or, to get still further back, IL
depends upon productions, and, IN
general, exehangeable value depends
upon the labor necessary to produc-
ton. For example, air has no ex-
changeable value, because it costs
nothing. The water in the Ohio river
costs nothing, and has no exchangeable
value; drink, all you want of It,. But
when YOU mix a little spirit Of corn
with it, or pump it up into the reser-
voir and distribute it through the city,
then it has a value, because labor is
involved. Another element of value
is in relation to the supply. More
valuable, if scarce; less valuable, If
plenty. True of almost everything
but brains and religion. When the
wheat crop is very large, the price of
-four goes down; when Strawberries
are scarce, you must pay more and eat
/ less.
But there is a value besides ex-
changeable value which can not be
measured by the dollar. 1t is intrinsic
value, or the value of use. You can
not sell bushel of air for cent, but
what will you taketolet me put glass
globe, that holds about a bUshel, over
your head, and tnen pump all the air
out of it? Take, why it would take
your breath away, and take your life.
So air has a value, though no ex-
changeable value.
Well, with these thoughts in our
minds, let me as k, what Is religion
worth? You may divide this question,
if you like, into what is religion worth
to mankind, andwhat is religion worth
to you, and we will consider the latter
question. 1t is question of value.
| Let me ask, then, what does your re-
ligion cost you? The plan or saliva
| ton is a free gift. Think Of that,
/ Sln0ST.- n pIeS6uJ Vi nOLnC III
heaven-"a house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens" But
how much do you value it? 1t is the
pearl of great price, and you must, in
one sense, make an exchange of values
to purchase it. You must give up all
unchristian indulgencies and pleas
ures; you must work for it all your
life; you must give a life of self-denial;
give up your peevishness, and any one
who undertakes to make an honest
payment will find it is not an easy
bargain, but he will find it very profit
able. For "godliness is profitable
unto all things
Christian, let me ask you what you
have given up that you had when you
were yet sinner? Ali the cost of
religion is great in an honest bargain,
but its value cannot be told, because
the investment reaches on into the
other country, and we are heirs to an
inheritance which is incorruptible,
undefled, and permanent. Study the
value of your possessions and make
good your title deeds. Give no mort
cages to the devil for worldly consid-
erations or for pleasure. May God
help US.
As our stream of life is widening
In its nearneSs to the sea;
May our faith and hope grow brighter
In the bleSsedneSS to be.
&c. s. Judd.