by Amigo.
Originally published in Howitt's Journal (William & Mary Howitt) vol.1 #13 (27 Mar 1847).
The Scripture speaketh not in vain in saying that "the love of money is the root of all evil," for there is not an evil under the sun, to the commission of which men are not prompted by the love of money; and yet, notwithstanding all the light on this subject given in the Scriptures, and confirmed by general experience, Men everywhere are occupied in the constant and keen pursuit of wealth, and the prime object with the many is to obtain it, and to push their families forward in the unhappy race of avarice and aggrandisement.
For money, men sacrifice domestic comfort, health, character, and even hazard life itself; for it, they are guilty of fraud, deception, and robbery.
For money, they sacrifice friendship, gratitude, natural affection, and every holy and divine feeling. For money, man becomes a creeping, crawling, obsequious, despicable creature, instead of walking erect as the offspring of God. Mammon and Manhood are incompatible.
Why all this-anxiety about money? why this constant fever, this pushing and driving in order to obtain it? even because men form a false estimate of Life and its elements. "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." He who would Live must stir up the divine fire that is in him, to consume selfishness, and to dispense light and heat to all around. Money he may seek in moderation, as a means, not as an end; and in order to preserve his manhood, he must learn to practise self-denial and economy, and to be contented with small things; above all, he must remember that God has set honour upon labour, by appointing man to live by labour; labour is truly honourable, and however mean the occupation may be, if honest, it is never disgraceful.
Instead, therefore, of sinking Manhood in the pursuit of Mammon, by creeping, crawling, and bending to every one whom you may imagine can help you forward in the race of worldly advancement, stand erect, determine in the strength of God to be a Man, to buy the truth at whatever cost, and never to sell it for any price; to labour at any work if needful, to speak what is in thy heart, and never to creep and crawl and mutter. God helps those who help themselves.
Stand upon thy Manhood in the world, not upon thy Mammon; stand upon thy own character and upon thy own estimate of thyself, made in all honesty, not upon the opinion of others. Be afraid of Sin, but never shrink at misrepresentation, or at contumely, or contempt, or poverty. Why should you be afraid? Life is in thyself, and thy enjoyment should be unapproached and unapproachable.