THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
Editors:
T. Fanning
J. D. Lipscomb
Vol. VIII
Nashville, June 26, 1866
Number 96
THE CONSULTATION MEETING IN MURFREESBORO, TENN.
In obedience to an invitation of the Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., especially to the faithful in Christ Jesus, notice was abroad in the Southwest, to meet for purposes of consultation, quite a number of the laborers in word and doctrine and active brothers and sisters in the churches of Tennessee, and a few from Kentucky, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia, met at 10 1/2 A. M., June 5th, 1866, in the house of Christian worship in Murfreesboro, and continued their deliberations to the 13th inclusive.
Elder J. W. Hall, of Murfreesboro, presided, and brethren Dr. N. R. Baucum and Dr. J. S. Poyner, acted as secretaries. At the conclusion of the meeting, Bros. J. S. Poyner, W. H. Goodloe, and T. Fanning were requested to make such a report as they might deem proper and useful for publication.
By invitation of the church at Franklin, Tennessee, a consultation meeting was appointed to convene in the Disciples’ meeting-house of that place, on Tuesday, October 9th, 1866, at 10 1/2 A. M.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING
1. NAMES OF BROTHERS AND CONTACTS REPORTED
The following names of the members of the Churches of Christ were reported, as in attendance in consultation, and hundreds of others, particularly of Rutherford and adjoining counties in Tennessee, were attending, part of the time, merely as interested auditors:
- Elder John W. Hall – Murfreesboro
- Elder W. H. Goodloe
- P. C. Gloabey
- R. A. Hall
- S. J. Graham
- W. D. L. Ward
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- Dr. M. Ransom
Murfreesboro. - H. B. Jordan
… - W. C. Cook
… - S. H. Singleton
… - W. B. Jones
… - F. D. Craig
… - W. M. Hoover
… - J. B. Ferrell
… - O. S. Harding
… - D. W. Henty
… - W. T. George
… - W. B. Lewis and wife
… - Sister Lizzic Lillard
… - S. M. Singleton
… - E. C. Brown
… - H. M. L. Johnson
… - N. R. Hall
… - J. C. Hall
… - David Hamilton
Thompson’s Station, Tenn. - Dr. E. Thompson
… - R. B. Trimble
Beech Grove, … - Thos. J. Shaw
Lynchburg, … - W. D. Carnes
Manchester, … - J. L. Sowell
Philadelphia Cog’… - A. B. Davis
… - M. N. Moore
New Hermon, Tenn. - J. M. Pickens
Tuscumbia, Ala. - T. Fanning
Franklin College, Tenn. - N. Fuqua
… - Wm. Lipscomb
… - David Lipscomb
… - J. C. Sewell
Beech Grove Cong’n, … - Jas. E. Scobey
Silver Springs, … - Dr. J. A. Anthony
… - Jno. Logue
Suggs’ Creek, … - Jno. W. Richardson
Rock Springs, … - Jno. D. Richardson
… - Elder Reos Jones
Smyrna, Maury County, Tenn. - I. N. Jones
Liberty, Marshall County, Tenn. - J. Boung
Antioch, Rutherford County, Tenn. - R. Jones
… - Eliza Jones
… - B. J. Furter
Nashville, Tenn.
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- S. E. Jones
Nashville, Tenn. - P. S. Fall
Nashville, Tenn. - J. S. Poyner
Smyrna, Rutherford County, Tenn. - J. B. Wright
Union, Pettis County, Mo. - Elder C. M. Day
Corinth, Todd County, Ky. - T. J. Webb
Corinth, Todd County, Ky. - Elihu N. W. Smith
Jonesboro, Ga. - W. W. Carter
Bowling Green, Ky. - L. S. Barrett
Franklin, Tenn. - Robert Moss
Franklin, Tenn. - Sisters Harriet Baugh
Franklin, Tenn. - Mary Craig
Franklin, Tenn. - Henry Ragsdale
Franklin, Tenn. - Cunic Moss
Franklin, Tenn. - Dr. David Adams
Pine Apple, Ala. - W. W. Nance and Daughter
Cageville, Tenn. - A. Conley
Cageville, Tenn. - J. H. Armstrong
Cageville, Tenn. - Sister M. J. Hall
Cageville, Tenn. - B. F. Bond
Jackson, Tenn. - E. G. Sewell
Owen’s Station, Tenn. - O. T. Craig
Owen’s Station, Tenn. - C. G. Hurt
Owen’s Station, Tenn. - H. Zellner
Knob Creek, Tenn. - Seth Sparkman
Boston, Williamson County, Tenn. - S. C. Sparkman
Boston, Williamson County, Tenn. - H. R. Moore
Salem, Franklin County, Tenn. - J. A. Sidener
Columbia, Tenn. - R. Fugitt and wife
Woodbury, Tenn. - John Hill
Lavergne, Tenn. - Samuel Metcalfe
Abingdon, Va. - L. F. Nevill and wife
Union, Rutherford County, Tenn. - W. Whitson
Union, Rutherford County, Tenn. - B. F. White
Union, Rutherford County, Tenn. - Samuel Winston
Union, Rutherford County, Tenn. - W. G. Brandon
New Hope, Cannon County, Tenn. - Lewis Jetton
New Hope, Cannon County, Tenn. - Thos. Stalker
Hartsville, Tenn. - J. C. Claxton
Cross Roads, Bedford County, Tenn. - Smith Bowling
Cross Roads, Bedford County, Tenn. - C. B. Darnell
Cane Creek, Marshall County, Tenn. - Sister America Davis
Lebanon, Tenn. - James Metcalf
Louisville, Ky.
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PURPOSES OF THE MEETING EXPLAINED
Brethren W. H. Goodloe and T. Funning, by request of the presiding elder, made brief statements in regard to the objects of the meeting. The present situation, destitute and distressing, of the brethren generally in the South, was presented as sufficient reason for holding frequent meetings for purposes of consultation. Upon this, as upon all practical questions in the progress of the meeting, the Scriptures of truth were freely cited. Solomon said, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Prov. xi: 14). Again, it is said, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.” (Mal. iii: 16).
These brethren maintained that the Church of God is Heaven’s appointed agency for the salvation of the world, and that we have no other organization for Christian labor; but for the purpose of harmonious action, it is proper for the people of God to take frequent counsel together. The disciples have been deprived in the last few years of the benefits of the Union by a merciless and fratricidal war, and should not only be considered a privilege, but also a duty, for the brethren to assemble from different sections, and tell their wants and the wants of their associated, and determine, if possible, what means of temporal and spiritual aid can be made available.
At the suggestion of Brother Goodloe, recalled C. L. Day, W. W. Carter, J. B. Wright, J. N. Pickens, and T. Funning, J. W. Richardson, R. B. Trimble, and W. D. Gurnes, of Tennessee, were requested to present suitable subjects for examination. The meeting then adjourned to 2 P.M.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
At 2 P.M., the brethren again assembled, and the following subjects were presented by the brethren elected for the purpose, viz.:
- Church Organization.
- Christian and Church Cooperation.
- The State of Christian Union.
- Church and State Relations.
- The Rights of the Body of Christ.
- What Leads to the Best Union?
These subjects were taken up in their order, and each received such attention as the brethren who took part in the deliberations, considered important for practical purposes.
Brother W. D. Gurnes spoke at considerable length of the destitution.
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of himself and others in consequence of the war—that the hard earnings of his life had been wantonly destroyed, and even thousands of dollars had passed from him by the hands of robbers; but no hint, murmuring, or complaint was uttered. God had preserved him in health, and he was able to work for the Lord in order to do good, and he had no other object in view. The Christian style maintained throughout was exceedingly cheering to all whose eye was fixed upon the Heavenly reward.
The venerable Nathan W. Smith, of Jonesboro, Ga., gave a pretty full account of the poverty and spiritual destitution of the people in his State, but seemed to rejoice in what his brethren’s sufferings, and spoke in the kindest terms, especially of the activity of Brother D. Lipcomb and others, in seeking aid from relatives and friends of humanity in Tennessee, and Louisville, Ky., in his family and the destitute of his section. He delighted not to dwell upon the temporal wants of his countrymen, but was more than willing to give his remaining energies to the spiritual relief of his people.
Brother Doctor Adams, of Pine Apple, Wilcox County, Ala., also made a pretty full statement in reference to the wants, temporal and spiritual, of his State; he presented a very plausible plan for educating the destitute of his section, by combining skill, capital, and labor. He was listened to with marked attention, and all the brethren bade him God speed in every small work.
Several inquiries were made in regard to plans of raising means to send the Gospel to the destitute, and the deliberations of the brethren closed by an address from Brother Charles A. Day, of Ky., in which he doubted if the brethren employed the means in its best sense. To him it seemed the same as if the only idea expressed was limited. He had thought that the world was employed to realize all the agencies to accomplish good in the earth.
The meeting then adjourned to Thursday morning at 8 o’clock.
On Wednesday evening an extended discourse was delivered by Brother N. W. Smith, upon the nature of Christian suffering.
Thursday morning, June 4th, the brethren met at 8 o’clock, and the meeting was opened by prayer from Bro. Charles. Several addresses were delivered by the brethren, urging the necessity of bringing all our means to bear upon the cause of truth. As to the special character of the meeting, the brethren agreed to suspend judgment until other matters proposed could be determined.
2. CHURCH ORGANIZATION
The examination was opened by Brother Hanning, who maintained that…
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE
A Church of Jesus Christ is organized the moment the members, the instruments of action, are brought together. The members are the proper agents for all the service of the body. He called attention to the fact that preachers frequently speak of organizing churches, or rather, of establishing them. By appointing what they call officers therein, and argued that no service done in the church, however noble it might be, could be denominated organization. He read the passage in which the Savior said, “On this rock I will build my church,” and stated that so soon as the three thousand disciples were added on the day of Pentecost, they were denominated the church (Acts ii: 47). He illustrated the subject by the birth of an infant, and argued that the moment it comes into the world, it is as perfectly organized as it ever can be.
He was followed by Brother W. D. Carver, who continued the general conclusions at which Brother H. H. Hargis had arrived, and made various remarks to elicit, if possible, more light on the subject. Brother R. D. Trivett then treated the subject more fully by reference to the birth of the infant, and maintained that members could neither be added or taken from the body, and it remains perfect; but at birth the body is weak and needs milk, and not strong meat in order to its growth.
Brother Goodloe intimated that while these things are to be taken for granted, there is serious difficulty in regard to supplying officers for the church. He wished to know if there is no difference between bishops and deacons and other members of the church? In answer, Brother Carver read many scriptures in relation to churches and their officers, in reference to which he took most of his conclusions for another time.
The examination was resumed by Bro. Pickens, of Ala., who seemed to take the ground that elders, bishops, and deacons must necessarily be selected from the church, and that their selection and ordination constitute them officers in the holy.
Brother Trimble followed, taking the position that the members, by virtue of their selection for a time, give evidence of their fitness for every department of labor. The examination of the subject was continued to Friday afternoon, June the 6th, and many of the brethren participated in the proceedings.
Finally, it was agreed that Brother Fanning should read the Scriptures on the subject, and others should present difficulties, with the view of ascertaining if there is power in the world of God to bring all to the same mind.
The original position was repeated, that the man may number or possess all that is acceptable to God, but not in the Lord Jesus Christ. The statement was made that he is brought into the same of the Father, Son.
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and Holy Spirit, and give themselves to one another, they are, to all intents and purposes, members in particular, of one body, and that they are at all places, where they assemble for spiritual edification, the properly organized Churches of Christ.
The first age of the church in which were extraordinary gifts was denominated ITS MYSTERY, in reference to which the following Scriptures were read, viz:
“For as we have many members in one body (our natural body) and all the members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” — Romans xii: 4-5.
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they members, yet but one body.” — 1 Corinthians xii: 12-14.
“And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” — Colossians ii: 19.
It was maintained that these Scriptures taught that God placed the members in their proper order in the body, as eyes, ears, feet, hands, head, and so forth, that all members of our natural bodies have their proper office, and also, the members of the body of Christ are to learn their proper position, and labor in it.
Brother Funning also read,
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, (putting the saints in their proper place in the body) for the work of the ministry, for the edifying (building) the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive: but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying (building) of itself in love.” — Ephesians iv: 11-16.
It was agreed that these Scriptures set forth the following conclusions:
- That these extraordinary powers were necessary in the church till all came to the unity of the faith.
- That this unity of the faith was attained when the testimony was completed in the first century.
- That from that date the members of Christ were no longer children, but were competent to speak the truth in love and grow thereby.
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Paragraph 1:
It is stated that the body is capable of making the weakest increase, and by the grace of God given it, is able to build itself up in love.
Paragraph 2:
In reference to officers, it was mentioned that all take their designation from their labor. For instance, one is called an evangelist because he evangelizes or announces the glad tidings; another is called bishop, or overseer, because the Greek word denotes an overlooker; another is styled minister, deacon or servant, because he administers to the needy; another is called elder, because of his greater experience than the younger; and another is styled peacemaker in consequence of his success in making different brethren one. It was denied that there is any such an office in the church, conferred by election, consecration or otherwise, save as it is manifested by work, just as Phoebe was called servant, not because she was elected and ordained to an office, but because she ministered to the poor of her church. (Rom. xxi: 1)
Paragraph 3:
On this subject, the following scriptures were read: Acts 13:1, to show that Paul and Barnabas were not made, or ordained, to be preachers, by fasting, prayer and the imposition of hands; but in preaching, they were superintended to a different avenue of labor.
Paragraph 4:
Acts 14:23 was read, to show that Paul and Barnabas did not impose their hands upon seniors to make them seniors, but they were previously elders, and this congregation was merely a statement of them devoting their time and energies to the oversight of the flock.
Paragraph 5:
Finally, on this subject, all admit that when it is necessary to have the whole time of any member or number of members in any church in a special work, the scriptures require that he or they should be consecrated to that work by prayer, fasting and imposition of hands. In conclusion, the brethren came to unity upon every point discussed, and the best of feeling, of course, prevailed.
CHRISTIAN AND CHURCH CO-OPERATION
Paragraph 6:
Bro. E. G. Sewell, at the suggestion of Bro. W. Lipscomb, was requested to read the Scriptures on the subject of cooperation. It was shown that the members of the church are exhorted.
Paragraph 7:
The fifteenth chapter of the Acts of Apostles was read as evidence that churches may cooperate with each other in settling controversies.
Paragraph 8:
Brother Sewell read Rom. X:26. “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem,” setting forth the practices of churches in whole sections of the country, cooperating for the relief of the suffering.
Paragraph 9:
First Corinthians xvi: 1, was read to show the authority by which the churches acted, and the manner of raising funds for useful purposes. Each member was to lay by in store, or bring into the treasury on each first day of the week, as the Lord prospered him. The eighth chapter of 2 Corinthians…
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Corinthians was read as evidence that a brother “Whose praise was in all the churches, was chosen of the churches to travel,” etc. From these Scriptures all were perfectly satisfied that the primitive churches did separate as churches, and with Divine sanction, to advance the cause of the Savior, and that God recognizes no other organizations for the execution of His service to this day.
Indeed, it is evident that other organizations, such as Temperance Societies and Missionary Societies, have no authority to perform service for the churches, and that they cannot do so without taking the place of the churches and becoming substitutes for the congregations of the saints.
Saturday, the 9th, was wholly devoted to the subject of cooperation. In the afternoon, Bro. F. A. Fall, of Nashville, gave a very excellent address on the subject, in which he took the very high ground that the respective Churches of Christ are the sole instrumentalities for the legitimate service of the Father. He quoted the passage that the “Church is the pillar and ground of the truth,” (1 Tim. 3:15), and, indeed, God’s light here in the world.
On Lord’s day, June 10th, the brethren occupied the Methodist and Presbyterian houses of worship, in addition to their own. Large audiences were in attendance, and the speakers seemed to have but one object in view—the glory of God. The fruits of that Lord’s day’s labor will be seen in other times. A more single-minded and earnest collection of preachers, we think, we never saw, and we doubt if clearer-minded and more faithful ministers of truth can be found.
On Monday, at 3 P.M., after speaking some time in conversation regarding the cooperation of Christians in accomplishing the purposes of the Lord, the brethren proceeded to briefly examine…
4. THE HOPE OF CHRISTIANITY
All seemed perfectly satisfied that the belief of the truth in the words of the Spirit is the only hand capable of uniting and holding the people of God together.
Various statements were made by the brethren, setting forth the mutuality of the wisest men of each to construct a creed, system of divinity calculated to unite the people of God in the service required. There was not a joining note in all that was said on this subject.
5. CHURCH AND STATE RELATIONS
On this subject there was no formal announcement. A few passages of scripture were read, such as “My kingdom is not of this world,” and so far as it could be ascertained, it was the general conviction of the brethren that the safety of the cause of Christ demands that Christians should not regard themselves as the originators, defenders, or executors of the governments of earth. Indeed, all seemed very firm in this belief that…
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Instead of the saints attempting to direct the world-powers, they should “touch not, taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the using;” further than to pay their taxes and pray that such rulers may have place as will allow them to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty.
6. TRAINING IN THE CHURCHES AND THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH
The greater part of Monday and Tuesday was devoted exclusively to the subject of training the members of Christ’s body and the proper education of the rising generation. In these matters, the older brethren, especially, took very deep interest. Most of the speakers attributed the deficiencies in the churches to a failure of the pastors of congregations in teaching the second lesson to the converted. The Savior ordered that “all things whatsoever he had spoken unto them,” should be rightly understood in order to their observance.
In this department, it was generally admitted that we had been derelict, and it was urged that a more formal instruction must begin in the churches before Christianity can occupy the position intended by its author. It was conceded that Christians, heretofore, have permitted the influence of what is usually termed the governments of the world to have so absorbing and controlling an influence, that the spirit and practice of religion have been well nigh kept out of sight. A round of a hopeful character was said on this subject as any other during the meeting. It was regarded by all as entirely suitable for contemplative labor.
Not only was it considered detrimental to the cause of Christ, and, of course, personally reflecting, for Christians to give their time, talent, energy, and money to the prince of this world, in entangling themselves with what are generally called civil affairs, but that the modern habit of Christians conforming to the world, in devotion to the customs and practices of the age, is well calculated to destroy all respect for things spiritual. In this connection several of the more thoughtful brethren alluded to the custom in society of originating plans like “penny collections,” “lottery suppers,” dancing parties, societies—missionary and others, as well calculated to obscure Heaven’s entire machinery in doing good. In this most humble and sincere manner, the brethren were urged to do all things of a religious character, “in the name of Jesus Christ.” The right of Christians, blessed with earthly means, to spend thousands of dollars to gratify the flesh, while multitudes are perishing for bread, was deemed criminal.
On this subject, 1 Peter 3:3 was read, “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banqueting, and abominable idolatries.” These “excesses of the Gentiles” were among the professed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, were re-
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The examination of training in the churches having been concluded, the subject of the education of the youth committed to the care of the saints was taken up with an earnestness seldom witnessed. Brethren Carver, Goodwin, Adams, R. G. Sewell, J. N. Jones, Pickens, and others addressed the brethren and friends present, with unusual anxiety, and even pathos. The main point in each addressed was, that the hope of the world is involved in the proper education of the rising generation. The defects of educational systems, and probable alternatives were discussed and expressed. Prompted reference was made to the instability of human governments, and the insecurity of wealth, and the certainty of ultimate approaches, which, they said, must be the education which the speakers, intelligently and honestly, are qualified for, to prepare the reverses of the world and making themselves useful to man.
Brother Adams, of Ala., availed himself of this opportunity to lay plans, so far as he had matured them, before the brethren in the colored states. Brother Goodwin spoke in much earnestness on the same subject, and urged that a speedy effort should be made to set up institutions on the plan suggested.
Brother Carver, while he exceedingly doubted the practicability of such institutions to the extent anticipated, wished to throw no obstacle in the way. He dwelt a considerable length upon the necessity of, at least, one class school in the south, and expressed the firm conviction that if a single institution of the proper character could be established in the country, the valuable influences could scarcely be anticipated.
Brother Fleming was requested to submit the plan for institutions on an enlarged scale, so far as it had been perfected by the Trustees and friends of Franklin College. At the close of the meeting, all seemed well pleased with the plan, and willing and anxious to engage in bringing the contemplated institution into existence. Brethren W. D. Carver and P. Fleming were especially requested to make their arrangements as soon as practicable, to give their entire time and energies to the labor of establishing such an institution as had been described.
All other ministers of truth in the country were encouraged to contribute, so far as they could do so thoughtfully with their labors, in the vineyard of the Lord.
On the last question, “What lack ye?” the brethren seemed to think that everything that should or could be said had been anticipated.
CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER
In the judgment of the brethren relative to arrange the report, there has never been held in the country so large a meeting of so many earnest brethren. One evinced stubbornness, but all seemed to solemnly hold sacred obligations resting upon them to serve their generation. Not-
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Withholding the fears expressed in reference to sectionalism, there was not a continual or political remark made during the entire meeting. It is, in fact, the first meeting the reporters ever attended, in which the prominent actors seemed not to consider themselves their own, but entirely the Lord’s, and in which there was so marked brotherhood manifested towards all organizations and institutions save the Church of God. While, perhaps, no people on the earth have had more a stronger reasons for the warmest attachment for each other than the disciples of Christ in the Southern States, we rejoice in having nothing political or sectional to accomplish, but knowing our calling, our ambition, we trust, will ever be to labor solely for the good of humanity.
We wish not, however, to conceal the truth, which we pray may ever dwell in our hearts, that like most other animals of earth, we, too, feel in our souls the common promptings of patriotism, and deny not that our attachments are very strong for our own kindred and countrymen. Still, with men of every clime under the broad heavens, we will cheerfully labor, although in doing so, to promote the sacred cause of a common Christianity.
ANOTHER SUBJECT.
Brother Lincolns: I do not remember that I have ever seen more said in fewer words, and at a better time, than you have uttered under the question, “Can Christianity coexist with distilling and selling spirits?” Never have I seen the subject handled in more scriptural, logical, and unanswerable manner. Your remarks deserve to be circulated, and printed every week during the whole year. As you have suggested, let us try more of the same kind of reasoning on a related subject, if you are not too tender-hearted.
Without nearly every thesis and every argument you have raised with reference to intoxicating spirits, apply with equal truth and three, to the manufacturing, selling, and using of tobacco. When I ask this question, I know what I am doing. I know I am on the unpopular side of this question, but am I not on the safe side? Can it be that tobacco using, to the very alarming extent now practiced, even by the noblest of the pure and holy Jews, is not a sin? I know this: Will not your remarks on this question yield a discussion, as the “tobacco” I may meet with generally opposed, if I am from your side; but the abundance of opposition will, by no means, prove me in the wrong.
Every whistler lover in the land will think you a simpleton; so, every tobacco user may think the contrary. But right is right, notwithstanding all these things. Our cause is just.
Your first thesis is this: “The Christian religion is intended to elevate.”
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and purify the human race, repress and discourage wickedness, and every form and species of wickedness and crime, and to encourage purity of life, holiness of character, and the active performance of the duties and obligations of the Christian religion.” Is not this as powerful an argument against selling and using tobacco, as against spirits? What is there in the practice of selling and using tobacco to elevate and purify the human race? It is an insult to humanity, not to say Christianity, to undertake to deal a practice so filthy, as expending, and so demoralizing can, in any way, elevate or purify the human race.
But look at the next clause: “To repress and discourage idleness.” What a lady has with what power strikes the very root of my subject! Look at that group of tobacco-chewing, tobacco-humming louts, and tell me what there is in the practice to “repress and discourage idleness.” It would seem a Christian has only to reflect to see the utter disagreement of this practice with the truth uttered in this clause of your thesis. But let us take another look at this clause. Not only to “repress and discourage idleness,” but “dissipation, and every form and species of wickedness and crime,” as one definition of the word dissipation, “to scatter property in wasteful extravagance.” This meets the case exactly. If the selling and using of this deadly narcotic, in the manner at present followed, is not to scatter and waste property extravagantly, I am a stranger to extravagance and waste. Here, then, the thesis sustains me again.
But your thesis declares that the Christian religion not only discourages the vices that are mentioned, but it also says it is “to encourage virtue, purity of life, holiness of character, and the active performance of the duties and obligations of the Christian religion.” Here is another lovely device of tenos. “To encourage virtue, to promote excellence.” Would any man undertake to show any moral excellence in the selling and using of tobacco? I should like to hear what he would say. Where could he begin, and what could he say to show wherein its moral excellence consists? I can see none. If there is any, I know I would be glad to see it, if it is there.
Furthermore, it encourages “purity of life.” Freedom from all pollution, physical, moral. Is that free from all pollution of life which disgusts the same? It pollutes the dwelling, clothing, and the person, befouls and poisons the atmosphere, and drains the purse and pockets of the poor and the ugly? What philanthropist can find it in his heart to answer in the affirmative? Here, again, your thesis sustains me. But, again, it encourages the active performance of the duties and obligations of the Christian religion. How far, I would answer, to the extent of our ability. How many of our own brethren and sisters cut themselves off from the line of doing good, by their prodigality in the use of money, in which tobacco-using is predominant!
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preacher—would gladly help him, (poor fellow) but he is not able! But this same man is able to give from five to twenty-five dollars annually for tobacco, a most deadly poison. Ask such a one to take a religious paper, help build a meeting-house, and the cause of education, give to the poor, or aid in any other good work, he is not able. Let the bookseller come along with the Bible Union’s Testament, Anderson’s Testament, or any other of the thousands of good books with which the country abounds, and he is not able to get a single book; but let some stinking tobacco vendor come along with his plugs, his twists, and his sneezing powders, and immediately the jaws of the purse fly open, and out comes the greenback. Do such persons possess, in any very eminent degree, that religion which encourages virtue, purity of life, business of character, and the active performance of the duties and responsibilities of the Christian religion? Perhaps more at another time.
We cheerfully commend the foregoing to the consideration of our readers, with our hearty approval, save we do not believe the use of tobacco, in any and in all its various uses, is of so far reaching and fatal an influence on society and on the person so using it, as identified with the Lord’s. The use of tobacco, however, most certainly involves a principle that Christians should seriously study. We are the Lord’s and all that we possess. Have we the right to destroy our vitality and energy, and to spend our substance for the gratification of a morbid and depraved appetite? We are sure when Christians learn to appreciate properly their responsibility to God, that they will be guilty of no such indulgences.
FALSE PRIDE
I have always regretted that false pride could not be made, like theft, a criminal offense. It is the parent of about as many other crimes as any other vice; for such I hold it to be at least some kinds of it. Where it is a weakness, it is much to be pitied, and generally leads to impropriety. How many honest men have been made scoundrels by the false pride of a lavish wife and extravagant family! It is composed of ignorance, deception, and envy, and the world is full of it. So long as it operated upon individuals alone, it was a matter of trifling consideration, but strange as it may appear, its influence strikes at the very root of a virtuous and flourishing community. Like intemperance, it is assuming the shape of a emotional calamity, and merits the serious reflection of every good man. Thousands who have gone forth as armed knights upon a crusade against manifest evil, have in themselves been slaves to this insidious enemy. Self-love may prompt a man to do a good action, but false pride has never; it is incompatible with its nature. In our own country its mischief consists in making labor a degradation—almost as
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Disgraceful as a crime—thus striking at the very foundation of our prosperous condition as a people. Perhaps there never was an age where so much scheming was resorted to, to avoid hard work by men—no period that could exhibit so many Jerry Diddlers, cockneys, half-breeds, would-be gentlemen, cigar-smokers, tobacco-chewers, liquor-drinkers, gamblers, knaves, and blacklegs in brave cities and villages; there is an abundant crop lately of this worthless fry, with shoulder-straps on, and buttons, and pickpockets. To see them strutting and swaggering about the streets, you would suppose they had just swallowed a paunch, they are so stiff and straight. They ought to be denounced, detested and scorned by every honest person, as they would represent the pest of society. The rich man of today may be a janitor of tomorrow. Fortunes are staked upon the rise and fall of stocks, as upon the cast of a die. Cities are created fraudulently. In the morning eyes are cast upon the master spirit of enterprise, and the evening finds a disgraced man, within the walls of a prison. Ingenuity itself is thunderstruck at the countless methods adopted to retain soft white hands.
Why does this disposition so extensively prevail? Certainly not for the security of happiness, for it is fraught with patient anxiety—not for health, for it frequently enervates and destroys it. I think it is Sir Walter Scott who says no man ought to want in this country who can buy a hatchet and fell a tree; consequently, the remark being true, it cannot be from necessity. False pride whispers, it is not genteel to work. How powerfully it is illustrated, may be seen by a visit to our penitentiaries. Does the unsuccessful merchant make his son a mechanic? Very seldom. Does the professional man make his son a mechanic? Almost still. But does the fortunate mechanic make his son the guardian of clothes and calicoes? Why is this? Is a yardstick more honorable than a jack-plane? Is the goose-quill more honorable than the type? But unfortunately the absurdity runs further. Look back twenty or fifty years, and behold the hare-footed adventurer, at the present time rolling in wealth, or spending his annual income of three thousand dollars per annum in manufacturing ladies of their daughters? Does he teach them the usual rudiments of housewifery? Very rarely. Is it because the healthful exercise of domestic duties is so disgraceful? Oh no! False pride says it is ungenteel for ladies to work, as if it would tarnish the fair hands and delicate fingers that bring such sweat from the piano, to dust the gorgeous instrument itself. How extremely ridiculous is this imitative pride! Thousands of daughters, whose mothers have been raised in the kitchen, to cooking, washing and milking, and their fathers in the field and horse-stable, would feel insulted if asked if they had ever made and baked a loaf of bread or washed out a pocket-handkerchief? They would rather prate about “good society,” “mixed company,” and the dignity and rich blood of their ancestors.
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few years more roll round, and the thrifty, but imprudent parent dies, and then comes the scramble for some ten or twelve divisions of his hard-earned estate. How small does a large fortune appear when apportioned to numerous heirs. The daughters must, of course, marry a gentleman of the above description, or a butcher, or a shoemaker, for pride dictates such a marriage; and the gentleman must, of course, squander her patrimony in gambling and other dissipations. And what has such a parent bequeathed to his country? Children raised in idleness, without the stimulants to add one iota to the general, substantial prosperity of the community. Can there be a doubt but what honest labor is becoming daily more and more stigmatized and disgraced?
A growing, aping imitation from the cellar to the garret—spirit or dress, show, fashion and extravagance in all classes of society—to indulge in which, the most unprincipled, and lewd, and vicious practices are resorted to. Let it proceed with the same rapid march that it has commenced, and in a short time it will be a stigma to earn your bread by the sweat of your brow. Infest the country—the far-off, with the same poison that flows through your large cities, which are the fountains of corruption in all countries, that you will make the country of Washington and Franklin parallel to that of Montezuma.
With us labor is everything. It is more precious than the mines of Mexico—more valuable than countless wealth—more honorable than the garter. It is not only the foundation, and the main arch of our confederacy. Unite it with education, and they form a tower of strength upon which our liberties may remain forever. The precious metals of the earth may exalt a man to the highest altitude of transient glory, but, like the brilliant phenomena that illuminate the heavens, they dazzle but for a moment, and as in the case with Spain, sink into darkness and gloom. Not so with the other glory; it is centered in the earth, and we behold it in the strides of internal improvement, the success of invention, the perfection of mechanical skill, and the inculcation of those exalted moral principles which give durability to our institutions, and raise mankind in their own nature and existence. Industry is the grand lever upon which this nation must depend for its continued growth, and indolence does not more retard its usefulness than does pride to drag it into disrepute; for as the turning of a simple valve makes powerless the mightiest engine.
J. C.
CLOSING EXERCISES OF FRANKLIN COLLEGE AND HOPE INSTITUTE
The session for 1845 and ’46 of the above schools, will close with suitable public exercises on June 28th, 1846, and it is earnestly hoped that the Trustees, patrons and such friends of education as can conveniently do so, will attend.
T. Fanning.