No doubt can be felt as to the fact, that there are at present many
crying evils in all ranks of society--perhaps there never was a time
when more remedies were proposed. It is, however, a melancholy truth,
that the only remedy is too generally over-looked, or despised.
Remedies, selfish in principle, and selfish in their proposed end, are
held forth and confided in by those who profess to be Christians, and,
as such, dependent on the Great Head of the church. Man is taught how
to live in time, and to be wise for time; but it has become unusual
to refer to that fine old scriptural prayer, "So teach us to number
our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Indeed, the
wisdom desired by too many is that which is so forcibly described by
an apostle's pen, as "earthly, sensual, devilish;" not that wisdom
the attributes of which form the graces of man's new and regenerate
character, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to
be entreated; "full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy."
It is intended, in the series of narratives now advertised, to set
forth, faithfully and simply, the one great principle on which
Christians profess to act. This principle should never be lost sight
of, in any publication addressed by a Christian author to Christian
readers. "Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid," laid by
Infinite Wisdom himself--"which is Christ Jesus." My illustrations will
extend to every class of society; from the highest to the lowest. When
it is found necessary to introduce the subject of political economy, I
shall endeavour to give what seem to me the right views of the subject;
and I shall take care to show, that when political economy cannot be
identified with Christian economy, it ought to occupy a subordinate
place. If it enters society as the servant of Christian principle, it
may be very useful as a servant; but, if it is to teach a man to walk in
the counsel of the ungodly, to speak of its usefulness in a Christian
community is absurd.
False principles, however taking they may be, for a while, with the
ignorant, or with those who are not deep thinkers, can never stand for
any length of time; and as for the ungodly, we know _Who_ has told us
they are "like the chaff which the wind driveth away." I have undertaken
this work in a spirit of prayer to God for His assistance, and His
blessing. Many of my readers. I am sure, will unite their prayers to
mine, that it may be continued in the same spirit. Some few may object
to this address from a minister of Christ to a Christian community,
and say that it is according to the puritanical cant of the day. I
answer, that such cant (if mere cant) is quite as offensive to me as to
themselves; almost as offensive as the cant of ungodliness; but I cannot
forget those words of solemn warning, from One who, alas, is still the
despised and rejected of many men: "Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and
of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the
Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with
the holy angels."
The second number of "Social Evils," entitled "_The Lady and the Lady's
Maid_," will be republished about the 1st of February, 1834.
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