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DISCIPLINE,

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1861

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 17, No. 22.

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DISCIPLINE,

By J. Clarke

WHEN we speak of the manner in which a family, or school, or church, or state, is governed, we call that system of government its discipline.
It is hardly possible to imagine a more complete scene of disorder, than that of any body of men, assembled without order or system in their arrangements.
The family, and school, and church, and State, must have some system of government, each their own, and without which they would cease to exist.
As well think of framing a house without tenons or mortices, or joints; as well think of laying brick without mortar; as well think of binding wheat without bands, as to think of any body of men doing anything to any purpose, without order, without organization, without discipline.
Discipline : This is a very unpleasant, unmusical word to the refractory, the stubborn, the willful soul; but it has charms for the lover of order, the friend of peace and harmony, it has no terrors for the obedient and the good, thank God.
We live in peculiar times, among peculiar institutions. In fact, the present age is an anomaly, when viewed from the stand-point of those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, and our situation, and privileges, and points of faith, command us imperatively to act with all our energies, and abilities, and to act unitedly. J. CLARKE.