The word which is proceeding out of the mouth of God to Associationists
now, to all the true-hearted and brave and devoted and hopeful of them
is, "Union with fellow beings by usefulness is the very life of life."
Let patience have its perfect work. Let no man be so mean as to
emphasize the "If thou be," etc. Let no doubt enter from present
humiliation. Association is the divine form of humanity. So ends in
piety the first temptation.
Then the Satan of selfishness takes counsel of his cunning, and subtly
states a new suggestion. If Association is this glorious truth to
renovate the nations, then glorious should be its announcement; loud,
wide, startling, should be its call; sudden, as from the skies, its
appearing. Here on the pinnacle of the temple of peace (or of Salem),
shalt thou stand, and cast thyself down among the multitudes like an
angel. Some splendid boldness should introduce thy reign. Take no heed
of care and caution; count not the cost; risk all in a providential
career. Surely thou shalt be guided safe. God's angels will bear thee
up, that thou dash not thy foot against a stone.
O bragging, advertising, placarding, circular-scattering, auctioneering,
humbuging world! And you would thus prove Association to be also
a windbag and a lie! Just in so far as Association has been rash
and precipitate, and swollen with promises and dizzy in its towering
pretensions, it has been truly carried to the pinnacle.
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