ORGANIZATION OF SOCIETY
BY TOLBERT FANNING
This is an age of speculation and experiments. Few, indeed, if any, admit society is what it should be. Politicians and statesmen charge others with error, but will not the best of them, contend they are infallibly right. It is not a difficult matter for religionists to specify the errors of their neighbors, but I know no church sect or community, without fault. The Savior said in reference to the woman, “he that is without sin let him cast the first stone;” and if the same principle be observed, no individual or church should dare assail others. When Luther charged corruption on the Catholics, Pope Adrian confessed the sins of his people, but neither did the charge nor admission prove Catholics or Reformers to be in the right. It is an easy task to show either real or imaginary objections to Philosophy, Government or Religion, but it is not so easy to present a better system. While, then, there is no organization of society admitted perfect, a discussion with regard to improvement, will ever continue an important theme; and if, by accident, a little speculation, or even experiment, be indulged, I see not how any one, in the absence of positive testimony to the contrary, should oppose.
There are many points of momentous consequence, connected with the improvement of society, which are being elaborated throughout the world. Jesus Christ came to our earth to perfect society, and either his religion is incapable of accomplishing this desirable end, or it is but little known by the present inhabitants of the earth. In saying this, I yield to no spirit of despondency; neither do I have a contemptible opinion of my fellow-creatures. That there are churches of God in the world, I hesitate not to affirm, but that there are any churches as perfect as they might be, I suppose no one will argue.
The cause of the present evils in society is not for lack of honesty, or desire to act always correctly; but the fault is in the disorganized state of religious society. I do not say, there is no organization, but my argument is, it is perfect. In the present No. I will endeavor to point out a few of the evils of the best Christian Society, and in future, I will promise remedies, which if not satisfactory to others, are to the writer at least.
1st. At present, Christians do not consider themselves and all they possess earthly, the Lord’s; but men act for themselves alone, as if they expected to stay here forever. Fortunes are collected, and instead of being appropriated to the cause of the fatherless and widow, and the distressed of every order, they are squandered by the wicked, in fleshly indulgences. The principle of regarding the welfare of others as well as our own, is measurably forgotten. Too many live for self and die unregenerated.
2d. God originally had governors and the governed in his church; but every man in this day follows the even tenor of his own way, rejoicing that he is in “a free country and can do as he pleases.”
The religion of lithe mass is a wild, and reckless democracy. The idea of submission to rule, in the church of God, or to one another, is scarcely mentioned. It is said “there are no children of this age,” but all are of full age from the cradle, and few indeed, if any, need the instruction of God or man.
3d. The Bible inculcates the separation of Christians from the world; but now all the fashions of the world must be practiced in the church. Gaiety, show, jesting, violence, tattling, backbiting, slandering, witchcraft, hatred, emulation, strife, railings, drunkenness, show parties, dancing, parties, laziness and impudence, are favored by all orthodoxy, and every one who approaches orthodoxy.
4th. A knowledge of God’s word, was once necessary to be a good Christian; but “away with the word of God” now; religion is picked up in some mourning altar, or consists in joining the church. It is lamentably true that too few study the Bible as a daily exercise, and fewest love the words of the Spirit.
5th. The doctrine of the Bible is that Christians should “do their own work,” and thus learn humility and dependence on God; but it is now a disgrace for fashionable Christians to be seen toiling in obedience to God for bread.
6th. Finally, it is the doctrine of the Scriptures, that Christians should, in fact, constitute churches, and take cognizance of each other in all things; but it is too frequently the case, that every one goes his own way.
Christian Review January 1845 issue 1