Inequality of Individual Wealth

HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN DAVIS, GOVERNOR, HIS HONOR SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE HONORABLE COUNCIL, AND THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS, ON THE ANNUAL ELECTION, JANUARY 7, 1835. BY JONATHAN M. WAINWRIGHT, D. D. Rector of Trinity Church, Boston. BUTTON AND WENTWORTH, PRINTERS TO THE STATE. 1835. U.<^ /-t/?-r?'3J y^M' ■ ' 1 « ' ^^C^lU^^^ v> flkimmontDealt) of ^a8sac))usett8* In Senate, January 8th, 1835. Ordered f That Messrs. Willard, Gray, and 6. Bliss, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, and present him the thanks of the Senate, for the discourse delivered by him yesterday, before the Government of the Commonwealth, and to request a copy thereof for the press. Attest, CHARLES CALHOUN, Clerk, Inequality of individual weaUh the ordinance of Providence, and essential to civilization. SERMON. Deaterouomy, xv. II. THE POOR SHALL NEVER CEASE OUT OP THE LAND. From these words we must of necessity infer that there existed amongst the Jews a marked inequality in the distribution of wealth ; and moreover, that this condition of things was not accidental or tem- porary, but was to be regarded by them as perpetu- al. The same prominent feature being equally dis- cemible in our own and in all other communities of civilized men, two questions obviously claim our at- tention. First, is this distinction between the rich and the poor essential to the improvement and hap- piness of man, or may we anticipate its removal at some future period, and under some more favorable combination of the elements of the social compact? And again, if we cannot reasonably look forward to its removal, but are constrained to believe that it is a distinction arising out of the nature of man and the present order of God's providence, can such a con- elusion be adduced as an argument against the wis- dom and goodness of that great Being who created man, and hath determined the bounds of his habitation.^ Thus a very important and interesting subject of dis- course is suggested to us by the text, and one which I trust will not be deemed inappropriate to the pres- ent occasion.

I am aware that it is a difficult and delicate one to treat of, and also that it may require the intro- duction of topics not generally regarded as within the province of preachers of the gospel, [a] f As, however, the civil authorities of the State must be supposed to acknowledge the truth and excellency of religion, when they come up to the house of God an- nually, in solemn form, as the opening act of their ses- sion, it would seem to be a fit opportunity to exhibit religion in what may be called its temporal aspect, as advancing and sustaining principles essential to the welfare and happiness of civil society. This I conceive it does, when it recognizes and sanctions the principle of inequality in the distribution of wealth amongst men ; and when it declares, both in express terms, and by the particular duties it en- joins on the rich and on the poor, that this is to be acquiesced in as a permanent condition of society. But it may be said, that religion recognizes and * Acts, xvii- 36. t See Appendix. sanctions many other things, which, in the present advanced state of knowledge and morals, are either not essential to the welfare of civil society, or else are absolutely detrimental to its true interests ; as, for example, a kingly government, and the condition of slavery. It is incumbent therefore upon the ad- vocate of religion, who believes that the declaration of the text will remain true while this state of pro- bation lasts, to vindicate the Divine Benevolence in this respect ; and to show, that if it is ordained that the poor shall never cease out of the land^ it is so or- dained because such an appointment is essential to the true happiness and progressive improvement of the human family. This will be the object of my discourse, and I respectfully request for it the can- did and patient attention of this distinguished audi- ence. In pursuing my design, I shall, in the first PLAGE, interpret the broad assertion contained in my text, and suggest some important limitations that may be reasonably prescribed to it.

Secondly, I shall endeavor to prove that the in- equality of condition, which it implies, is essential to the political, the intellectual, and the moral and re- ligious improvement of the human race, and. Lastly, I shall point out how the more grievous and repulsive circumstances attending upon this con- stitution of the social state, may be meliorated, if not entirely removed. • I. The poor shall never cease out of the land. Is this declaration of the inspired law-giver, to be re- garded as exclusively applicable to his own country and people, or must it be extended to all nations, and to all future periods of time? We know that up to the present moment these words have been most truly prophetic of the condition of civilized man. Under every form of government, and in ev- ery varied state of society, distinctions, caused by the unequal distribution of wealth, have existed. Notwithstanding they have been often denounced as unjust and injurious, and efforts have repeatedly been made, both by legislative interference, and during the excitement of political commotions, to remove them ; yet all has been unavailing. Nor have we any reason to believe that this condition of our being can be altered by any exertions of man, his own nature remaining what it is, and the arrangements of Divine Providence, in relation to him, continuing unchanged. Whilst one man is weak of body, and another possesses athletic strength ; while the intel- lect of one is dull and inactive, and that of another bright and vigorous ; while the energies of one are. …