BEECHER ON THE FAULTS OF SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4271, 27 November 1874, Page 2 (Supplement)

BEECHER ON THE FAULTS OF SOCIETY.

All nations consider the people of all nations conceited. The truth is that there is considerable conceit at the bottom. To have a good opinion of ourselves is to take the first step towards advancement. I propose to talk to you to-night of the faults and foibles of society, and to point out that there is ample opportunity to reform some abuse, or to point out some improvement on what is now regarded as perfection. The relation of good health to society as well as industry is not always fully estimated. No community can afford to have many sick people among its ranks. It is a poor investment. Weakness is just as great a burden as sickness. A sick man either gets; well or dies, but weakness is a chronic annoyance. No man who is weak, be he ever so capable of great efforts when well, can perform good work. The people of a great city cannot afford to have a portion of their citizens living well while the great bulk of the population are dwelling in hovels. The second element of waste which I shall speak of is ignorance. By this I do not mean those who cannot read and write. I have seen men who could read and write—aye, and cipher — who were profoundly ignorant Some are troubled about their pedigree. For my part, this does not disturb me at all. I have no prejudice against the animals. I would just as lief know that I am descended from a monkey as not, if the line could be traced far enough back to satisfy me. What is more worthless, or even more helpless, than man when- he is born ? It would be an honor to begin as high up in the scale as a calf. By an ignorant man I mean one who is born an animal, grows up, and always remains simply an animal. Great mistakes are made in the choice of trades or professions. I know it to be true of the ministry. When men are called to preach some are always called to hear them, and when no one does como to hear them, after a fair trial, it is a pretty good evidence that they have mistaken their calling. I would next refer to the waste of lying, considered in the light of political economy. If we can't trust or believe any one but ourselves, industry is clogged'. in every branch. Anything which weakens, public confidence weakens society. I cannot pass over even the gigantic wickedness of our Government in printing lies by the hundred thousand. I would next refer to the burden of war. I hold that many wars are inspiring, and that a nation often comes out of war better. ■ But this is not the rule. Twenty-one thousand million dollars of war debt overhangs the Christian nations of the globe. Do you wonder what makes Communism ? Where debts are infamous they never will be paid. The devil can't tax me for vice and not hear about it. The three classes: whom to blame for this more than all others are the rich, the cultured, and the religious. They draw back from the duties of citizens, and then complain that the politics of the country are in the hands of the low and unscrupulous.