REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. FIRST PRINTED IN LONDON, 1773. CHAPTER I On loving our neighbours as ourselves. WHEN We love the Lord with all our hearts, and his creatures in his love, we are then preserved in tenderness both toward mankind and the animal creation; but if another spirit gets room in our minds, and we follow it in our proceedings, we are then in the way of disordering the affairs of society. If a man, successful in business, expends part of his income in things of no real use, while the poor employed by him pass through great difficulties in getting the necessaries of life, this requires his serious attention. If several principal men in business unite in setting the wages of those who work for hire, and therein have regard to a profit to themselves, answerable to unnecessary expense in their families, while the wages of the others on a moderate industry will not afford a comfortable living for their families, and a proper education for their children; this is like laying a temptation in the way of some to strive for a place higher than they are in, when they have not stock sufficient for it. I feel a concern in the spring of pure love, that all who have plenty of outward substance, may example others in the right use of things; may carefully look into the condition of poor people, and beware of exacting on them with regard to their wages. While hired labourers, .by moderate industry, through the Divine blessing, may live comfortably, rear up fami lies, and give them suitable education, it appears reasonable for them to be contented with their wages. If they who have plenty, love their fellow-creatures in that love which is Divine, and in all their proceedings have an equal regard to the good of mankind universally, their place in society is a place of care, an office requiring attention, and the more we possess, the greater is our trust, and with an increase of treasure, an increase of care becomes necessary. When our will is subject to the will of God, and in relation to the things of this world, we have nothing in view, but a comfortable living equally with the rest of our fellow-creatures, then outward treasures are no further desirable than as we feel a gift in our minds equal to the trust, and strength to act as dutiful children in His service, who hath formed all mankind, and appointed a subsistence for us in this world. A desire for treasures on any other motive, appears to be against that command of our blessed Saviour, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth." He forbids not laying up in the summer against the wants of winter; nor doth he teach us to be slothful in that which properly relates to our being in this world; but in this prohibition he puts in yourselves, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth." Now in the pure light, this language is understood, for in the love of Christ there is no respect of persons; and while we abide in his love, we live not to ourselves, but to him who died for us. And as we are thus united in spirit to Christ,, we are engaged to labour in promoting that work in the earth for which he suffered. In this state of mind our desires are, that every honest member in society may have a portion of treasure and share of trust, answerable to that gift, with which our heavenly Father hath gifted us. In great treasure, there is a great trust. But the laborious mind wants rest. A pious man is content to do a share of business in society, answerable to the gifts with which he is endowed, while the channels of business are free from unrighteousness, but is careful lest at any time his heart be overcharged. In the harmonious spirit of society "Christ is all in all." Here it is that "old things are put away, all things are become new, all things are of God," and the desire for outward riches is at an end. They of low degree who have small gifts, enjoy the help of those who have large gifts; those with small gifts, have a small degree of care, while those with large gifts, have a large degree of care: and thus to abide in the love of Christ, and enjoy a comfortable living in this world, is all that is aimed at by those members in society, to whom Christ is made wisdom and righteousness. But when they who have much treasure, are not faithful stewards. of the gifts of God, great difficulties attend. This matter hath deeply affected my mind. The Lord, through merciful chastisements, hath given me a feeling of that love, in which the harmony of society standeth, and a sight of the growth of that seed which bringeth forth wars and great calamities in the world; and a labour attends me to open it to others. To act with integrity, according to that strength of mind and body with which our Creator hath endowed each of us, appears necessary for all, and he who thus stands in the lowest station, appears to be entitled to as comfortable and convenient a living, as he whose gifts of mind are greater, and whose cares are most extensive. If some endowed with strong understanding as men, abide not in the harmonious state, in which we «love our neighbours as ourselves," but walk in that spirit in which the children of this world are wise in their generation; these by the strength of contrivance may sometimes gather great treasure. But the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; and if we gather treasures in worldly wisdom, we lay up "treasures for ourselves ;" and great treasure managed in any other spirit, than the Spirit of Truth, disorder the affairs of society; for hereby the good gifts of God in his outward creation are turned into the channels of worldly honour, and frequently applied to support luxury, while the wages of poor labourers are such, that with moderate industry and frugality they may not live comfortably, rear up families, and give them suitable education, but through the straitness of their condition, are often drawn on to labour under weariness, to toil through hardships themselves, and frequently to oppress those useful animals with which we are entrusted. From age to age, throughout all ages, Divine love is that alone, in which dominion has been, is, and will be rightly conducted. In this the endowments of men are so employed, that the friend and the governor are united in one, and oppressive customs come to an end. Riches in the hands of individuals in society, are attended with some degree of power; and so far as power is put forth separate from pure love, so far the government of the Prince of peace is interrupted; and as we know not that our children after us will dwell in that state in which power is rightly applied, to lay up riches for them appears to be against the nature of his govern ment. The earth, through the labour of men, under the blessing of Him who formed it, yieldeth a supply for the inhabitants from generation to generation, and they who walk in the pure light, have their minds prepared to taste and relish not only those blessings which are spiritual, but also feel a sweetness and satisfaction in a right use of the good gifts of God in the visible creation. Here we see that man's happiness stands not in great possessions, but in a heart devoted to follow Christ, in that use of things, where customs contrary to universal love have no power over us. In this state our hearts are prepared to trust in God, and our desires for our children and posterity are, that they, with the rest of mankind in ages to come, may be of that number of whom he hath said, "I will be a father to them, and they shall be my sons and daughters." When wages in a fruitful land bear so small a proportion to the necessaries of life, that poor honest people who have families, cannot by a moderate industry attain to a comfortable living, and give their children sufficient learning, but must either labour to a degree of oppression, or else omit that which appears to be a duty; while this is the case with the poor, there is an inclina |