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2B ~' , t: }. 1' 1 C · TH ~ · PR'Ao'ii" iO'NLI CHRIsTIAN.


Peace of conscience is a gem un valued ' by


the wise man, bought hy no price b l i ~ perpet.


lIal vigilance in hostility against sin, aDd sold ,


only by the' fool .


REVENGE.- Rr: I · enge is as incompatible wilh


II1Ippiness as it is hostile to religion. Lethim


whose heart is black Ivith malice, and studious


of revenge, walk through the fields while clad


with verdure, and adorned ~ ith flowers- to his


eye there is no heauty- ihe flowers to him ex­hale


no fi'llgrance: Dark as his soul, nature is


robed in deepest sable. The smile of heauty


lights not up his hosom with joy- bllt the furies


of hell ~ age in his hreast anrl renrler him 8S


miserable liS he would Wish, the object of his


hate. But let him lay his hand on his heart


and say,' Revenge, I cast thee rrorn me- Faiher,


forgive me as ' I forgive my enemies'- and


natllre aSSIlJllesa new and delightfill garniture.


Then ' iiJrllled, are the meads verdant and the


flo \ vers fragrant - ' then is the mnsic of the


groves delightful to the ell1', !, nd the smile of


virlllous beauty lovely to the sonl.


POWJ;: R OF WOMAN.- Whatever may be


the cllstom anrllaws ofa country, tile wOlllen


of it , I ecid ~ tlie morals. Free or suhjugated


the y reign, because ' they hold possession of


our' passions. But their iufluence is , lIIore or


le. ss salutllry, according to thede~ ree of esteem


which is granted to the~. Whether they are


mIl' idols , or our companions, courtezans;


sla\' es, or beasts ofburden, the reaction is com­plete,


anrl they make us such as : hey are them­selves.


It seems as if nature connecterl oQr


intelligence with their rligniry , as we connect


our happiness with th eir virtue. This, there­fore,


is a) aw ofeternal justice- man cann!> t


degl ' ade woman, withollt himself fi'lling into .


deg radation j he canno!, raise thein without


becoming better. Let us . cast our eyes over


the gloi.. te, an, lobserve tbose two great divisions


of the human race, the East and rhe West.


One half the ancient world remains without


progress, withollt thought, and I) nder the load '


of ' barbarolls civilization; wOlllen there are


sluves. The other'halfadvanc~ towards free­'


rlom and light; the women there are loved I


lind honored.-:. lfartill.


intended to reprove in his friend Martha, and


against which the apostles enrnestly admonish,


ed us, is, that instead ofeating: to live , too mao


ny live to eat. They make the gratification 01


the appetite'S and senses the end instead of the


means of life- the means to the better accom­plishment


of the high purposes, for ~ v h i c h the


soul WRS sent to tabernacle awhile in flesh. ­True,


otir creator, in the plenitude of his good.


ness, made the exercise of all the fimctions of


tlie hody pleasureable. BUl the soul was sent


upon earth, on a higher mission, than merely


to stimulate the body to the exe rcise ofthese


functions. These were ' iutendcrl to he only


th e organs of its communication with tlie ma­~


erial universe. Of cOUl'se,' I say again, the


body must needs be preserved in its health and


strength, that it may answer well the demands


I" ol" the soul. This ' is its only true use, its only


value. Arid the hody her- omes the worst ene­my


01 the soul, when ' i t~ l s u rps a higher place,


and claims to have its appetites and senses


gratified for their own sakes. The soul is


thus degraded, cast down, trampled under


foot; It is made the pimp and pander of the


hody- the servant of its lusts.


Truly hath the apostle said, " they that are


in the flesh"- WJRt live in and lor the gratifi- ,


cation ot the desires of the flesh.....:." cannot


please God.'" Nay more " to be carnally mind­ed


is death." ' Vho ' has not seen how true


this is? Who has not witnessed the deaden­iug


effects of sensual indulgences? How


slow are they, that are in the flesh, to engage


in any works of benevolence, and labors of


love! " The lusts of the flesh, and the Just of


the . eye s, and the pride of life are not of the


Father." These all alienate us from him, and


• alienate us fi'orri one another. They rlestroy


the harmony of'society, no jess than the peace


of the soul. ' I'hey enkindle in the bosoms. of


men th e fires of , envy, j ealousy, . uvarice and


re\' enge, aild thus' convert the earth, which


ollght to be helrlas a common inheritnnce, up­on


wh ich every man might sit u; lller his own


ville and fig tree, with none tomclest or make


him ati'aid, into a field ofstrife, oppression and


bl~ odsherl. ' . s . J. M.


For tit. Prac tical Christian .


contrary to the feelings ofthe carnal minrl. ' I


I would" wr~ te more on this interesting subject,


if! had room. May the spirit of Gorl strive


mightily with you and 0111' dear Brethren, to


keep you in the path - of duty.


I wish prosperity to the Practical Christian,


and intend to do all that is reasonable far me


, to do to circulate it. ' I am well pleased with


its contents. , JOliN CALKINS.


I Ud!' d, l ti~ ~~" tltti '~" ~"! hei fuorll'iiig dew


• H t l- . u r J H: · 1I ~ 1 -:, fod . l i ) Ji lf l .',~,-" "


Iq! J ' mH~: J ~ l' Ii • ' , I l ,: m~ e t gra n d question with me was- swill it do


for a little handful of men now to be­gin


to act upon the princjples of , non - resist­ance?


Will they not be crushed, and trod­den


under foot by wicked ~ en? W~ llld it


be best first to pull down all human govern­ments.


Iet them' have approximated ever so


' nearto the di vine '?


It was many months before I was able to


, solve these great and weighty questions, with " BUT ONE THING IS NF. EDFUL.", Luke x, 42.


any degree of satisfaction to my mind. Some commentators would have us Sllppose,


I did not feel satisfied with ( Ire views and that ' J esus ' meant, in these words, only to re-doings


' o f some who professed to be non - re- prove Martha's anxiety about the provision


sistants- i- and could not see the propriety of she sh~ uld make for the appetites ofher guests.


villifying all human governments and denoun - She was trouhling herself to prepare a variety


cing ali penalties of the law, as unjnstand ' JJ] ~ . of dishes for th em, when rone would lie


merciful, together with all corporeal punish- enough,


ment ioflicted by human beings, ~ This may have heeu, I believe it was, a part


Howerer, I resolved to lay aside all my pre- of his intention. Hilt I cannot think it ' was


conceived opinions of human governments, ' th'e whole, ' or the principal part of it. The


aml the opinions of others in opposition to hu- context certainly implies something more. c­man


laws, and have recourse to the scriptures And I suspect the corn rnon apprehension has


of truth ; heing desirous of having my mind been that our Savior intended to intimate that


influenced hy that wisdom which descenrleth the food of the soul- that' which nourishes


from above, whie!' l is , said to be " first pure and ' lllicl, ens in th e divine life, is alone or in


then peaceable, gentle, and easy to he entreat- the higbest senseneedful for us ; and that Ma­ed,


full of mercy and good fruits, without par- ry, . wh o was seeking that nourishment, should


tiality, and without hypocrisy." not be call ed away to nttend io mutters so un­,


The result ofmy enquiry is this; namely ': important ' 8~ Martha ', was cumbering herself


That Christ came into too world to show us with, '


the way to the Father hy his precepts and ex - These words, however, are all the more in­arnple


; 311,1 that no nne will everarrive at the struetive from the connection, in whi ch th ey


heavenly mansions, ' ever be permitterl to en- stand, " Ve ar e 110t authorizer! to . infer, that


tel' through those gates ' of pearl into the new Jesus m eant to reprove' a proper provision for


Jerusalem above, to walk the golden ', streets, the wants 01 the body. So long as we are


until he shall have followed the example of clothed in flesh, it is right; it is necessary, that


Christ in all things, being assisted hy the - spirit we take care of the flesh. Indeed the well


of Gorl , ( with the exception of work ing 11111' 8- being ofthe soul, here on . earth, depends much


cles), I therefore concluded that the works upon tile soundness and health ofthe hody. ­"


and words of Jesns would justify the answer- The ' 11Iws ofour. physical constitution cannot


ing of the first question, in th e affirmative.- ' he violated with impunity, any more thau th e


But I found it very difficult to bring flown my laws of 0111' intellectual or moral nature. ­carnal


reasoning in subjection to so humilla- !\ fUCD, very much of the misery, under'which


ling a position. There seemer1 to hang in th e the human faulily groans, is the effect of


mind for a long time a d istrllst in the provi- man's disobedience to these physical laws. - Ill


dence ' Of Gorl. Bnt by ' closely reasoning up- illu str: alion of what 1 say, I Ileed only point .


~ I on Ihe nature orthe £ llvlne ' goverument, as ex- ' y ~ u uttlie fuiil ;' tvhich ' irlteinperaiJce anrl g] ut­hibited


in the New Testament, I at length be · tony have wrought. ' Vho can deny or dOllbt,


carne satisfied that Gorl will tak e care ' of his that these Violations of physir: al law have not


' child ren, if faith fill, and will permit no more only filled the bodies of millions with wellk­evil


to come upon them,' than is necessary to ness and disease, hut have quenched th e holy


rliscipline them to dwell in the presence of sllirit in their hearts? It is one of the most


their Redeemer.; and that we ought not to be auspicious signs of th e times, that s~ milch at­concerned


lest God should let the wicked go tention has come to be paid to thi~ snhject; ­unpunisherl,


but believe that he is able to sus- that th e ' laws of health have heen so intelli­tain


his government- in his own w;' y. gently expounded, ancl so urgelltly pressed


I do 1I0t unrlerstand that God wo uld have upon the ohservance of 1111. Surely th~~ e is


his children allow/ themselves to be destroyed nothing in all ' this, w. hich Jesus wonlrl disap­by


idiots or maniacs. · Nor that you would prove. Far oth erwise. It is a precept of his


have them discard physical force or compul- religion, given by his chief apostle, that


sive means, to hring into subjection irrational " whethel' we eat or drink, ' or whatever we do,


beings, and children, that are not old ~ lOugh we should do all to the glory of God. " Now,


to be reasoned with, and be marie t9 nndel'- it is mad e pla in that they who drink . intoxica­stand


the divine~ governme'nt. Thus I have : ting ' driliks, , or feed on highly stimulating


given · you my views, ~ f1 s} lO, rt, of the first ques- foorl, or take undue quantities of sl\ Ch food as


tion. '. may be wholesome iQ'itself, are unfitting them­'


Vith regard to hllman' g~ verments, no selves for the work ofthe'Lonl. ' Bysodoing,


better than o~ rs in this couJltry, I do not feel they stup, ify their intellectual faculties, blunt


mIthorized by scripture or reason t6 pill them their lJIoralllffections, and provoke . the ir sen­down


any faster than I can builr! up ' the di · su1I1 appetites to repeaterl ex cesses; until, it


Vine. 1 wo~ ld no( say first ' to all hnllJRn g'ov- mny be, the gratification of t'; e lusts of the


ernments, bu~ lfup all your statute books, while ' fl. esh becon'ies the main purpose for which


the people are yet unwillln~ to follow the they live. Their stomach becomes their God.


meek and lowly J esus wlwlrever, he calls them. This may be true ofmauy, who have by their


J am fea rful of extremes. There is danger of exc esses outraged what are called the decen­bein


' g too dan. unciatory im~ finding ra1ilt ~ i t. h d ' esof life. In; leed it is an euq uiry " whi ch it


every law and penalty as unjust anel UlllllerCI- may be, well fOI' us all to press home upon'


ful. Whe~ eas, i think mllny of them , are' j ust , ourselves, whether ' too much of our time, anrl


llnd ~ erciful, when the criminal is taken.- too many of our thollghts al'c not rlevoterl to


Man can ' infticta merciful punishflJent, we " what we shall eat, and w ~ at we shall drink,


' o ught to believe, though not under the special and wherewithal we shall be clothed." Some


- direction ofGod. regard, I have" concluded, must he pairl to


It is with pleasllre I announce to you, that these matters; fOI' the health of the soul is in


1 am now able conscientiously rosubsrrihe to II: measure dependent upon the health of the


the principles of the " Standarrl," , according to body. But it is precisely for the sake of the


the constl'lJction which I give' of its language,' soul, that the body should bc cared for, prop­and


am resolved by the grace of God to unite - erly fed and clothed, and subjected to all the


, vith you heart and ' hand in the maintenance wholesome influences of air mid water, and


of these principles. Let us remember well, - exercise and sleep. In . this point of ' view, at ­'


t hat It is one thing to make a profession ~ t du- tent ion to our meats and drinks, and othel'


ty, and another to perform it; and that it will th ings that are salutary to our bod ies, heco'mes


be of ' litt le u~ e to make a declaration of duty, in' fact ~ p~ rt of the " one thing nee, jful;" for


unless we do in some good degree live up to whatever in any ' way promote?;' the health, pu ­it.


I am w! lll awal'ej Dear Br. that we shall l'ity , anr! life of the soul, is needful for ns in the


bring upon ourselves the scorn and ermity of highest sense.


the world, and that it requires a strong Rnrl But the woful mistake, into \ vhich men are


persev~ ring mind, to - maintain ' pr inciples so prone to fall, th)' errbr which J helieve . tesus


' HR. CALlrIN'S LETTER.


COMMtrNICATIcm7S.


Breast the wavevChristian,


. '' Vhen it is strongest;


Watch for ilay, Christian"


When the night's lon ge~ t :


Onward and onward still


: B ~ thine endeavor;


The rest that remaineth


W~ II be for ever.


Lift the eye, Christian ,


Just as it closeth;


' Raise the heart, ' Christian,


. Ere it reposeth:


• Thee from the I~ ve of Christ


Nothing shall sever;


!\ fount when thy work ~ s ' oo ne,


Praise Him for ever !


'. Fight'the fight, Christian,


Jesus is o'er thee:


' Ruu the race, Christian,


Heaven ' is before thee:


He, who hath promised


Faltereth never;


, T he love ' of eternity


Flows on for ever ,


. ( i:, · 1 '"[ 0 1. '" , liiP ctE:' I'RY. i'.,....' : I _ rt 7." ~ "':\~, · - u ·


' T- o' ; mitute our hl eooed Lord, "


And gladly copy all his ' nature pure;


To trust his every sacred word,


And thus ' a brightly shining croy'n secure.


Stanzas.


L et others strive for power and fame.


~ nd madly drench theebrth' in human gore;


' Be thine the belleI' , ' Dobler aim, .


To soethe the sorrows of the humble poor;


' T o - mark misfortune's wayward child.


And gently calm the deep afflicted breast,


To tame the wandering savage wild,


And give the ', Yeary, heavy laden, rest:


' T o bind the widow's hroken heart, '


' And kindly wipe the orphan's fa lli ~ g tear.


' To act a Howard's nobler part.


And still the lonely prisoners anxious fear:


ti t; ':> IiJi.. t Jh l h !- j, ~ rllt ", . na-. {'{ b i f. l.> qi. Jil ' J


L'l; qll.[ fl\ Is>" i0tJIIAYl1!, I{ JeJlr. 9WIIIW1WHI { a,~ I'rhJirl1.:


tia't\ lJlS~' 1Yle~ IH! Ii! l ; lR\ W~ 111I'lT~ lllefH , YM, m~ l ~~ I¥' ll / 1..


fu'Lfflul." il~~~ 1f..~~ IPr. np'\ lf, h~, y, I\ lI~~' ri" h in poetry,


otlwnn":'!~ hj~ Me. )~ uttfor, one, I call that good


poetr. l\,\ yhich speaks to the soul.]


BREA'ST THE WAVE CHRISTIAN.


S ~ uth Wilbraham, June 9th ,1840.


, Dear : Br. Ballou ;- '


' : I \ l\ Iy heart is swollen with


' the ~ ubject of divine th ings. I take - my pen to


: give ven tit{), my feelings, the wials and exeJ'ci- ,


: f! llS'ofmy mind,


At < the first reading of the " S'. andarrl '< Jf.


Pl'amDcal< Christianity," which : you alJopted- llS


, the ' mie of: your conduct. I ' saw , an evideRt


- mlmift.; stlltion ofhul'l1ility and lowly minded­'


llIIlll8l1I' I lf68d it < WeI' and over again, thoug11


. - l, oo", ld, f\ ot arlopt - every part of it among lhe


artldles, ot'my faith. Nevero1heless, I felt to '


, exclaim, sltrely the sribscribers to this " Stand­'


8rd" must ' have been comm'uning with JeslliS.


' T hey mu~ t have been sitting at the feet of their


Savior, ., and inquiring individually, II LO':" d


tehat wilt . qwu h< tve ineto do'! dlis cannot oe,


the production of a carnal mind. The spirit of


the Lord must have been in their' midst. I


' tvas , copJilr. WJlerl, moreover, to . congra tu lat e


yoo, iny ' B< i) l the anticipation ryf a time when


all'shallact ' ubtn the" principle · of non- resist­ajrl!~!;


1 ' ' Tk~ ldf\ ere wili be no more unholy


. · t ~ l n Jl t J ll a }\ Jl


contentmJls ana stgfes,- no more quarreling


in fami~ i' 8between hushand nnrl wife, father


and sort;! broth~ rsand sisters; no more exces-sl.


ve deSI.~~ lmfj J!,"" Il,' I: IJ'! aIth, Wh'ICh causes so , many


law. suits, such waste 01 time and of money,


ill1d all mannel"'' Of evil; 110 more hatred be­tween


neighbdn~ 1lneighbor, lying, deceiving


aDd cheating, !~ Wjg} ifalse oaths, nor ' ch81' g­es


againBl the right" lIlUSand innocent of taking


faIlle oaflhs, misrepresentation and deceit;


no m~,~" m~'~ n~~~ y, piracy~ f10r mnrder;


no more mlletKlg ot.. I! Qstile armIes upon the


batlll~ dlI1l; IiI. fo. MI; i~:: 4!~ rui: tion of thousands


addjl, ell8oillho~ ndslfy tbecrnel weapons of


, dea th j DO, bii~ p~ ft't\ l''$ Yd barmony shall then


dA. t. h h' 1~' h- rik'i' perva , rv-$ ~ r; I?, lft':'. " " r!,


Joyfu,_ IIIW.~ llIl'm.. fIl\! leDialday will then


lJave arrivtlli. v: ' l'bu. LilTdflwiII be king over all


the earth• . l TH& t;' O>"'~ h! wm thy converts,

Page 28 of Volume 1 from The Practical Christian 1840-1841

Ballou, Adin

1840