THE COMMISSION.
Yol. 2. NOVEMBER, 1857.
Ко.
5.
WHERE SHOULD RETRENCHMENT BEGIN?
Tlic pecuniary embarrassment, which
has recently overwhelmed the country,
will render the retrenchment of expen¬
ses in many families a positive necessi¬
ty. This necessity, in a moral point of
view, is not to be lamented. Long con¬
tinued prosperity engenders habits of
extravagance which are unfavorable to
tlio growth of piety, and of sound mor¬
als. There are occasions in the history
of nations, as of individuals, when God,
by his providence, teaches lessons of
moderation, economy and self-denial.
Wcehould thankfullyreccivc, andcheer-
fully practise these lessons. Such in¬
struction has been recently and impres¬
sively furnished by the financial crisis
which lias so suddenly involved many
families in perplexity and want. Re¬
trenchment, then, though not a pleas¬
ant, is, to many, an unavoidable and
wholesome' discipline.
But retrenchment, like any other du¬
ty, may be enforced in a right or wrong
manner- It may begin at the wrong
place. It may be carried too far in
some directions, and not far enough in
others. As Christians we should earn¬
estly, with a docile disposition and a
prayerful spirit, enquire how in this, as
in all other reforms, we may please and
honor God. Retrenchment must; begin
somewhere ; but where should it begin ?
The love of ostentation will say, Not in
dress or equipage — the fashions must be
followed — respectability must be main¬
tained — the social position of the fam-
9
ily must not be sacrificed. Appetite
replies, If retrenchment must take place,
let it not begin in the expenses of the
table. Luxuries cannot be dispensed
with; good wines, well flavored cigars,
and the finest quality of chewing toba-
co, are indispensable to the enjoyment of
life. The love of pleasure says. Any re¬
trenchment may be endured, that does
notdemandthe abandonment of parties,
balls, and concerts, and theatrical
amusements, nnd such like things —
without these life would be a weariness.
Covetousness answers, Let retrench¬
ment begin any where, and be pressed
in any direction, so that the hoarded
wealth may not be diminished, or its
steady increase may not be arrest¬
ed. But what says piety ? What says
enlightened conscience? The answer
is promptly nnd plainly given. Let
retrenchment begin in superfluities — -
in luxuries — in finery — in pleasures — -*
in the costly things which
needed for the health or contfoS^of
tlio body, the cultivation of the mind,
the improvement of the heart, or
the promotion of domestic happiness-;
but let it not begin in benefactions to
tlio poor, or in contributions for the
spread of the gospel. Yet there is danger
that, even among sincere Christians, the
work of retrenchment will commence,
and be most strenuously prosecuted, in
these, last items. Let us, Christian '
friends, examine this matter, so far as
it relates to missions, -with the Bible in
