We apprehend that the trae use
of Sooiety is not sufficiently under
stood i that the chief benefit whioh
it ie intended to oonfor, and the
chief danger to which it exposes us,
are seldom weighed i and that errors
or orude opinions on these points
deprive he of many benefits of our
social connections.
It is plain that the better we un
derstand the trae use, the ohief ben
nt, and the chief peril of our social
principles and relations, the bettor
we shall be prepared to judge of as-
sociations whioh are offered for our
patronage. Society is chiefly im
portant as it ministers to, and calls
forth, intellectual and moral enercrv
and freedom.
Its action on the individual la
benefioial ia proportion as it awak
ens ia bim a power to aot on himself,
and to control or withstand tha so-
oial influences to whioh he is at first
subjected. Sooiety serves us by
furnishing objects, occasions i
Materials, excitements, tbroueb
which the whole-soul may be
brought into vigorous, exercise i
may acquire a consciousness of its
free and responsible nature i may
become a law to itself, and may rise
to the happiness and dignity of
framing and improving itself with
out limit or end.
