04 - The Importance of Religion to the Usefulness and Happiness of the Common People

CHAP. IV. The Importance of Religion to the Usefulness and Happiness of the Common People.

LET it be understood, that this expres­sion, the common people, far from implying the smallest degree of disrespect, is all along used merely to distinguish the persons here addressed, from those who, by their superior station, fortune, or influence, are, in common language, styled the great. But though neither the middle ranks of life, nor the lowest orders of society, are excluded by this general term of common people, yet the writer of this treatise hath chiefly in view that numerous and valuable class of persons who are employed as tradesmen, labourers, servants, domestics, or apprentices. For their benefit he hath attempted some de­scription of the nature and influence of real religion; and now he wishes to rouse their attention to this deeply interesting subject, and to recommend this religion to their choice, by such arguments as may be suit­able to their situations, and may come home to their hearts.

Know thyself, 0 man! and respect thy­self, are maxims applauded by the wise, and worthy the continual recollection of all. They are particularly applicable to you who are placed in dependent circumstances; and whose inferiority may often expose you to disesteem, and may sometimes endanger your undervaluing your own character. To promote this knowledge and respect, be en­treated to think seriously on the exalted powers you possess, and to look around with attention upon the station which you hold. In other words, view yourselves both in your personal and in your relative capacity. To these two points the reasoning on this branch of the subject shall be confined.

1. Then, think of yourselves in your personal capacity, as rational and immortal beings. However obscure your lot in life, you possess the same spiritual powers, are formed for the same noble purposes, and are called to the same exalted prospects with the most honourable or wealthy in the land. The lowest circumstances of service, or dependence, or poverty, with all their humi­liating and mournful attendants, can in no degree diminish the poor man’s intrinsic ex­cellence. He is the child of providence, the expectant of immortality. These honours his gracious Creator confers upon him, in common with the wealthiest potentate on earth. A wretched Lazarus, fed with crumbs from the rich man’s table; a blind Bartimeus, who sat by the way-side beg­ging, were as really the objects of divine attention, as Solomon, when arrayed in all his glory. Ye unknown, unenvied men, ye sons and daughters of poverty; ye are equally with others the creatures of God; formed by his power, sustained by his merciful visi­tation, and placed in those very circum­stances which his unerring wisdom hath judged most expedient. Therefore, as his rational and dependent creatures, you owe to him the daily tribute of supreme love, of grateful worship, of unreserved submission, and dutiful obedience. Ask, then, where is God our Maker, who gives us songs in the night? And what hath the Lord re­quired of us? Learn his character and his will: follow on to know him; and walk before him, unto all well-pleasing. As man is born to trouble, so they who move in inferior stations, are peculiarly ex­posed to numberless distresses; under each of these they require support and solace to their minds: but that consolation they can­not expect from the world. Small is the relief, and few the joys, it can impart to any. The little that it hath, is reserved for those in affluence and power; but it cruelly leaves the afflicted poor to weep un­pitied and despised. Not thus unrelenting and cruel is that amiable religion which de­scends from above. She visits the house of neglected cottagers. She revives the soul of the sorrowful, and imparts a glad­ness of heart which can only be understood by those who feel her animating presence. Nevertheless, she disdains to dwell with those who, however needy, remain unprin­cipled and impenitent; she enters not the habitation of those who are ignorant of God, who disobey the Gospel and love the dark­ness; she passes their dreary abode with just indignation; and leaves them a spectacle, to men and angels, of the complicated horrors of poverty and pain, when united with ignorance and impiety. Lay up, therefore, a good foundation for the days of darkness, by union and fellowship with that Redeemer, who giveth grace to help in every time of need. To you, equally with others, his infinite merits can extend; for your acceptance the blessings of his great salvation are held out; and for your conso­lation he proclaims, "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come, and take of the waters of life freely. If united to this compassionate Redeemer, and abiding in him, all the ways of providence towards you will be mercy and peace, and the severest trials in life will work together for your good. Blessed Gospel of peace, which turns darkness into light, and makes the valley of Achor, or trouble, a door of hope! Happy the be­liever in Christ, cheered with the presence of a friend, who is born for adversity, and who sticketh closer than a brother.

It is appointed for all to die, and after death cometh the judgment; and after judg­ment followeth the eternal state of existence. Whatever, then, may be the outward condi­tion, or the inward perplexities of any of the common people, they are daily hastening to immortal glory, or endless woe. That poor wretched profligate, who is clothed with rags, yet staggering with drunkenness; who hath brutified his senses by intemperance; who so daringly blasphemes his Maker, and so loudly implores damnation on himself; even he possesses an immortal soul, and soon shall he stand before the impartial tribunal of a sovereign Judge. 0 that he would consider his latter end; and would lay to heart, in the days of his merciful visitation, the things which belong to his everlasting peace! Yes, the servant, the labourer, the tradesman; nay, that needy, naked, hungry pensioner of the benevolent; each hath a treasure of unspeakable value to secure, or to lose: his soul is immortal, all his temporal difficulties shall soon be forgotten in the uninterrupted pleasures of heavenly glory, or the unutterable agonies of future wrath. This life is the only pe­riod allotted him to prepare for eternity: his season of grace is uncertain; his day de­clines, and his departure is at hand! What scene on earth is more affecting than the death of an ignorant, unprincipled, poor man, who hath toiled hard through life to gain a scanty subsistence, but never thought of an hereafter, who enjoyed but little comfort in this world, and is dying without any well-grounded hope of happiness in the next?

Ye children of industry and indigence, direct your attention to the representation now given: consider yourselves in your per­sonal capacity, inheriting like powers, and exposed to like trials with your superiors: the subjects of God’s moral government; journeying through a world of sin and mis­ery; possessing immortal natures, and daily ripening for an unalterable and endless state. If then there is a reality, a power, and a com­fort in religion; if it is productive of present peace, and can be advantageous to any of mankind, it must be of peculiar avail to you. You need its divine influence to regulate your affections, to elevate your desires, to dispel your fears, to purify your hearts, and to render you happy in God, independent of all earthly joys. You are capable of en­joying these influences, and of feeling their glorious power to keep from fainting in the day of adversity; and you are encouraged from Scripture to ask, and to expect more abundant consolations in Christ, than they who experience not the tribulations of life. Let religion then be the guide of your steps, and the solace of your minds. Choose this better part which cannot be taken away; prefer it as the one thing needful; delight yourselves in the Lord; abide in his words, and walk as he hath given commandment: then shall ye know, that Wisdom’s ways are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

"If thou criest after knowledge, and lift­est up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou under­stand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go; keep her, for she is thy life. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; exalt her, and she shall bring thee to honour. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; and shall deliver to thee a crown of glory." Prov. ii. and iv.

2. Let us next consider, that numerous class of men whom providence hath placed in inferior stations, as forming an important branch of the community, and connected with society by various relations.

Here a succession of interesting circum­stances present themselves to view; and the value of religion appears with peculiar lustre as happily calculated to render men upright in service-constant in conjugal life-dutiful children-affectionate parents-and use­ful citizens. To servants of every description, Chris­tianity addresses its exhortations with ener­gy, and affection: it cautions against mur­muring at the allotments of an unerring Father; it requires them to abide in their calling with the Lord: it gives them direc­tions for the regulation of their temper, words, and conduct; and it assures them, that by acting a proper part in their several departments, they shall shine as lights be­fore men, and shall adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour.

Many are their dangers, and great their need of intimate acquaintance both with the principles and the power of Christianity. Separated from the eye and care of their parents, they are entered upon an ensnaring world, are scattered through many families, and have many duties to discharge, many difficulties to encounter, and many tempta­tions to resist: nothing less than cleaving to the Lord with full purpose of heart, can pre­vent their wandering into those paths in which destroyers walk.

However unfashionable the opinion, yet it accords with Scripture and observation, that unfeigned piety is an essential requisite in the character of a faithful servant. Mas­ters can have little dependence on the truth and honesty, the temperance and sobriety, of any under them, who have not the fear of God before their eyes; who disregard his ordinances, or profane his awful name: such will feel but little restraint from the terrors of an earthly master, when tempted to false­hood, or fraud, or self-indulgence. Nothing less than the grace which bringeth salvation, can effectually teach them to deny all un­godliness, and worldly lusts; and to live so­berly, righteously, and godly in the world: and nothing but the love of Christ shed abroad in the heart, can constrain them to the performance of commanded duty; espe­cially of those necessary and self-denying duties which contradict depraved disposi­tions, and natural propensities to evil.

Most wise in its nature, and most bene­ficial for society, is the language of Scrip­ture to those under authority: "Obey them who have the rule over you; be clothed with humility; lay aside all wrath and ma­lice; put on the ornaments of meek and quiet spirits; be faithful in that which is least, and, in due time, God will make you ruler over many things; be diligent in busi­ness, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Religion requires them to resist the solici­tations of the wicked; to curb the sallies of passion; to beware lest they be overtaken by intemperance or impurity; and to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of dark­ness. It forbids their doing evil that good may come; and it charges them to speak the truth in love, and not lie one to another; to be sober minded, and not deal in matters too high for them; to do their own work quietly, and not stir up strife; to follow peace with all men, and that holiness with­out which none can see the Lord.

Such are the amiable counsels of our holy religion, such the character of upright ser­vants, and such the men worthy of being encouraged and employed. But where are such domestics, labourers, apprentices, and servants to be found? Alas! the conduct of the far greater part is in direct opposition to all these heavenly precepts. Unfaithful to their trust, deceitful in their words, dis­honest in their transactions, violent in their tempers, and sensual in their gratifications: they too often prove the ruin of companions, the disgrace of society, the dishonour of their friends, and disturbers of the families where they reside. Instead of rising into notice and esteem, or treasuring up for future support, they render themselves objects of public indignation, and involve themselves and their families in infamy and want.

Never will any effectual reformation, in sentiments or manners, be witnessed amongst any class of servants, until, through grace, they submit to the laws of God, and become Christians, not in name, but in heart and life. Other expedients for reforming them have been tried, but always have failed: and the experience of ages hath proved, that it is religion alone, when exerting its practical influence: it is Christianity, when experienced in its power: it is the Gospel of Christ, when known, loved, and obeyed, which inclines and enables dependent men, who earn their bread with the sweat of their brow; to labour without murmuring, and to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all honesty and godliness.

These remarks may be extended to ano­ther station of life, even more important than that of service. When persons have entered into the nearest and tenderest of all human connections, what can so firmly secure their conjugal fidelity, as the immutable bond of religion? or what can so effectually perpetuate their conjugal happiness, as that un­dissembled affection which the Gospel of peace enjoins and inspires? On the other hand, whence ariseth that domestic wretchedness, so often heard of in the habitations of the common people? Whence is it, that the closest of human ties, which hea­ven appointed as the perfection of human felicity, so often proves the fatal source of constant and increasing torment? The reason is, the married pair entered into that sacred relation untutored, unprincipled, and irreligious: and therefore continue strangers to that regard, constancy and happiness, which result from the united influence of piety and love. Adverse to piety, and un­influenced by love: oppressed with poverty, and soured by fatigue: the unhappy pair seek not to sooth each other’s sorrows, nor to promote each other’s comfort: but serve up every meal with unavailing complaints, and imbitter every solitary hour by mutual reproaches.

Behold we show you a more excellent way.-Say with Joshua, Whatever others do, as for us, and our house, we will serve the Lord. Learn of Jesus to be meek and lowly: delight yourselves in the Lord, and acknowledge him in all your ways; this will lighten the pressure of your poverty, will sweeten your converse, after the fatigues of the day, and will teach you to enjoy the bounty of your God, in the homely fare which your honest industry hath gained.

Many are the advantages of uniform godliness in the marriage-relation: it re­strains wrath and bitterness: it suppresses strife and contention; and its happy ten­dency is to deliver from evil and self-tor­menting passions. Nor is this its only aim: it is also productive of another effect, sin­gularly beneficial to society; securing a faithful adherence to the matrimonial vow, and guarding, by the most solemn sanctions, against all criminal conduct. The violation of the marriage-bed is one of the most hei­nous and most cruel of all transgressions: against none are the warnings of Scripture more frequent, or its threatenings more alarming. Nor doth it only forbid impure actions, but all lascivious language, all irregular desires, and all pollution of the mind. In the spirit of true benevolence, the sacred volume invites Christians to the calm tranquillities, and soothing joys, of domestic life; and, with equal ardour for their happiness, it deters from all those ap­proaches to vice, and all those criminal ap­petites and indulgences, which end in bit­terness and death. Let husband and wife receive these sayings, and though poor, be virtuous; though perplexed, comfort each other; and though toiling through life, live in love; and thus lessen, by bearing each other’s burdens.

Religion next addresses you as parents; and commands you to bring up your chil­dren in the admonition of the Lord. If you neglect this duty, you are murderers of their souls; nor will any inferiority of sta­tion, any multiplicity of cares, or any dili­gence in business, excuse that neglect. Solemn and binding were your engagements at the baptism of your children, to instruct them in the truths of Scripture: to restrain them from evil; to pray for them, and with them; to educate them according to their station; and to employ your influence, af­fection, and authority as parents, in pro­moting their temporal and spiritual welfare. Perform your vows unto the Lord: devolve not all the spiritual charge of your families upon pastors or teachers; nor think that their labours can warrant your omission of instruction, example, and prayer.

Such are the injunctions of religion upon parents; and hence its importance to society is manifest. Were the children of the commonalty trained up in the fear of the Lord, they would not, through life, remain cumberers of the community, troublers of God’s Israel, ignorant as the untutored Indian, and obstinate as the fierce barba­rian. But can it be expected, that parents will bring up their children for God, if they themselves are enemies to him in their minds; if, in this land of light, they are perishing for lack of knowledge; if, amidst the most plentiful means of instruction, they willingly sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death? Infatuated parents! pity the offspring which God hath given you; they grow up around your table as olive-plants; they cling to you with fond affection; they listen to your talk with admiring silence; they receive from your hands the crumb, and the cup, with eager gratitude; and their wishful looks, and unfolding powers, entreat your attention to their mind, and to their future usefulness. If no other argument could be produced for your walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, this one might rouse you,-the fate of your children; the danger of their perishing through your neglect; and the obligations you are under, to teach them the know­ledge, and fear, and love, of their Creator and Redeemer.

While religion, as a heavenly visitant, administers these wholesome counsels to the heads of families, she looks around upon their offspring with mildest countenance; and affectionately enjoins them to dwell together in unity, to obey their parents in the Lord, and to honour their father and mother, that their days may be long in the land of the living.

Another relative character which the common people hold in society, arises from their connection with the community; and the most effectual method of rendering themselves good citizens, and virtuous sub­jects, is by their becoming sincere Chris­tians. The gospel teaches them, that they are accountable to God for all their actions; that his word must regulate their measures in society; that, in the station he allots them, they must act with integrity and honour; and that with their conduct in life, is connected the prosperity or the ruin of their country. Let men, however needy or obscure, be habitually impressed with these laws of revelation: this will induce them to lead quiet and peaceable lives, to render tribute and honour where due, and to obey their superiors in the Lord. But if ever they set aside these divine laws, or consider their conduct in society as unconnected with their duty to God, separate morality from religion, or substitute the one for the other: then farewell all public virtue, tranquillity, and order: all regard to distinguishing privileges, all reverence for laws, all coun­tenance from heaven. These guardian an­gels will then hasten their departure from our once happy land: and leave an ungrate­ful nation to all the calamities of idleness, injustice, and oppression, to all the direful effects of divine indignation.

Know then your own importance, ye whom Providence hath placed in the inferior ranks of life. You are happily free from the vexatious toil of managing the national concerns, you need not perplex yourselves, or others, with visionary schemes of public government, and you would be but ill-em­ployed in attempting to alter laws, which the experience of ages hath proved to be wholesome, but you have far more impor­tant and honourable work to pursue: a never-dying soul to be saved, a family to rear, an example to set before many, and a Saviour to honour upon earth. Were the common people sincerely reli­gious: did they act upon the principles, and conformably to the precepts of Scripture: did they encourage, by their example, a spirit of sobriety, industry, and honesty: did they bring up their children in a reve­rence for the ordinances of God, and send them forth into the world fortified with the sentiments of revelation: who can tell what blessings they might prove to the places where they reside, and to the nation at large? nay, who can calculate how wide their usefulness might extend, and how long it might be perpetuated? Succeeding gene­rations might reap the blissful fruits of their piety, while their children’s children con­tinued to instruct their families in the hea­venly truths, and examples, transmitted from their forefathers. But if the general­ity of the common people degenerate into in­fidelity, licentiousness, and all immoral con­duct, the evil produced will be equally wide, and equally lasting.