Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

It is admitted by a learned and judicious crític, that "nothing is by any means trifling, or lightly to be valued, when it is considered that upon a combination of minute excellencies, and an observance of trifling decorum, depend the perfection of moral character, and the happiness of social life." Truly; for a greater than this man hath said, "for every idle," trifling and unmeaning "word, that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words shalt thou be condemned." Matt. xii. 36-7.

But beware, Friends, if you do not bring God into your lawful and honest occupation in life, however trifling it may be, is there not a danger of falling into Satan's snare, and into the general lax morals and indifferency of too many professing Christians? And of bringing a reproach and disgrace on your beautiful and most holy profession, as extortioners, monopolizers, regraters and forestallers, and then, at last, like one of whom I am frequently upbraided, terminating in "swindling bankruptcy?" Oh, that these things were not already published,-not in Gath, one of the great cities of the Philistines, famous for having given birth to Goliath; and told in the streets-not of Ascalon, another great city of the same people-but alas! they are published in our holy land, and told in the streets of our most renowned cities of L----p--1 and L--d-n! Here the veil is taken off for my hand! Ah, my dear Friends! did I not feel it incumbent on me thus to write, not only as the present age demands it, but it is for the good of nations yet unborn; I could gladly, like blessed

Shem and Japhet, of whom it is said, they "took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father: and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness."* O, that you could partake of this nocturnal exercise while I pen this! But sweet sleep, soothing slumber, I make no doubt, has overtaken most of you by this time.

However, whether man or woman will look to the Spirit of God to guide them in all the concerns of their lives, or not, his word is true, and will be to everlasting."The just dealings of the righteous shall be as clear as the noon-day;" and "the hidden things of darkness shall be brought to light;"— even in the most "trivial concerns of life."-I have the documents at hand, which I could produce were it necessary. I have often witnessed them.

66

The proverb that "when the devil catches a man idle, he generally sets him to work," is said to be every day exemplified by the inhabitants at the Cape of Good Hope. (Barrow's Travels in South Africa.) They are active only in mischief; and crimes against morality meet with applause, if the end be successful. A man who in his dealings can cheat his neighbour, is considered as a slim mensch, a clever fellow. Even stealing is not regarded as criminal; truth is not held as a moral virtue; and lying passes for ingenuity.", I hope, that "fruitful settlement," will, one day, ere long, be truly," the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE;" and if not under the immediate

* Gen. ix, 23.

guidance of the present missionary, I trust the Great and Good Spirit, accompanied by his word of truth,will lead them into all truth; and give them a hope, sure and stedfast-a true and living faith, which worketh by love to all mankind.

But as it respects my own country:—it is said— I am vouched by persons whose veracity I may rely upon-that it is particularly proverbial in Yorkshire, of your Society, that they will not swear but lie abominably!" This, I know from a child, was always said of the dissenters in general. But ah, Friends, what would your worthy predecessors, Fox, Barclay, Penn and others, say to this, if they were now living, whose veracity was proverbial?

Lying and pride seem to have been the first sing which came with man into the world; and in all probability they will be the last sins which shall be destroyed in man. These are no trivial sins. I dread them-I hate them-I fear a lie, and know its consequences—and I trust I have truly repented of them.-May we never more hear of such preverbs!

I am aware of the inconveniences and severe trials many conscientious servants, shopmen, journeymen, and others labour under in this matter. It is not unknown to many teachers of the people, how common it is for servants to have to deny their masters and mistresses. For instance, to be enjoined to say "they are not at home," when in fact they are at home; and as a certain modern critic defined these phrases, they mean, "at home, and more domestic than usual!" I have often had this painful

trial; and although my dependence for my daily support, and that of my dear wife and children was on such a situation, yet, I desire to acknowledge here, God's grace was sufficient for me; and I bore my testimony against such customs. And it will not be saying too much, that it was, in part, on this ground that I lately gave up business as a master.

I did not, however, expect to be told, by an esteemed member (now elder) of your Society, that the minor scruples of conscience must give way to the major duties of the concerns of life-self-preservation, and family obligations, or words to this effect. I wish to guard the sincere believer against this latitudinarian spirit in respect of religious scruples of conscience; for, if this principle may be acted upon, away go all patient sufferings for conscience sake; yea, even truth itself. Hence, the horrible doctrine of "expediency," so much revived by great names!

I feel willing to embrace the opportunity thus to enlarge on this "trifling" subject at the commencement of my work: for if "books, like companions, are productive either of much good or much evil;" to prevent the latter, as it respects myself, I can most cordially adopt the well-known motto,

"Aught in malice set not down."

And also in the words of the wisest man that ever lived (Christ incarnate excepted), I desire that my reader may "buy the truth and sell it not."

It is a judicious observation of "the Polite Philo

sopher" (annexed to Chesterfield's Advice to his Son) to his readers, who have been many of them accustomed to think politeness rather an ornamental accomplishment than a thing necessary to be acquired in order to an easy and happy life, that they may "from thence pay less attention than my instructions require, unless I can convince them that they are in the wrong. In order to which, I must put them in mind, that the tranquility, and even felicity of our days, depends as strongly on small things, as on great: of which men may be easily convinced, if they but reflect how great uneasiness they have experienced from cross accidents, although they related but to trifles; and at the same time remember, that disquiet is of all others the greatest evil, let it arise from what it will."

I am no great admirer of the works of this celebrated writer, the late Lord Chesterfield, so called; but, if the above proposition were acted upon, I believe it would produce more persons of "Honorius's" stamp, than the polite philosopher is aware of. And although "Garcia" (with whom he is contrasted) has his decided preference, because, forsooth, "Garcia acquired a handsome estate in the country," and by his polite flatteries, "rose to the possession of an office which brought him in a thousand pounds a year salary, and nearly double as much in *perqui

* "Candle-ends and cheese-parings," I suppose this great man must have in view ;---" bottle-day," or " pitcher-day," as one of the King's servants once observed to me, where I was engaged opposite the palace. If I am not quite correct in my description, my reader will excuse it, as I quote from memory, and it is now some years since.

« ПредишнаНапред »