This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ... IV. ONENESS IN REDEMPTION I Affirm once again that it is impossible for us to conceive of the life of society or of humanity apart from the law of solidarity. Let us take a few illustrations, and first from the most simple and primitive form of social life--the family. We will suppose two men, both born to ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ... IV. ONENESS IN REDEMPTION I Affirm once again that it is impossible for us to conceive of the life of society or of humanity apart from the law of solidarity. Let us take a few illustrations, and first from the most simple and primitive form of social life--the family. We will suppose two men, both born to sorrow, inheriting from their parents unsound constitutions, a sullied name, and the results of years of sin and improvidence. Arrived at man's estate, the one says, "Why should I be responsible for a position in which I never placed myself? Why should I bear the burden of faults in which I had no part? Why should I not have my due of freedom and independence?" Acting out these principles, he casts off his family and repudiates his name. The other accepts his lot; and bowing under the burden laid upon him, he shares with those belonging to him the hard-won fruits of his honourable toil. Now I appeal to the judgment of my readers: Which is the nobler man? Unquestionably, he who obeys without cavilling the law of solidarity. If our hearts could hesitate a moment, mere reason would tell us, that without this law families could not exist; for the family is not a collection of persons who agree to sit round one hearth and eat at one table; it is not a commercial company, which may become bankrupt or dissolve partnership in critical times; it is a moral fact that cannot be repudiated, a living body, every member of which is bound to guard the life and honour of the whole. Let us rise a step higher. Above family is country; I picture to myself a country compromised by a rash and wrongful policy. The hour of peril has struck; the land is invaded by foreign armies. Here again are two men. One says, "What have I to do with this cause, which is none of...
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