On the contrary, if every body dressed and ate and fared just alike, whether they were industrious or not, the stimulus to exertion would be taken away, and many would become lazy, ignorant and vicious. These teachings of the minister were effectual in most cases, so as to preserve harmony and peace.
But another difficulty arose, that caused still more trouble. The company was so large, that they could not all sit together in one parlour, nor all eat together at one table; and very
often the question came up, as to who should associate together. The minister taught them that this was a point where every man had a right to consult his own taste and feelings. No person had a right to go and visit another person’s room when he was not wanted, and every one might decide for himself what company he would have visit him, and who he would not have as a friend or companion. By following this rule, it came about that persons whose tastes, pursuits, and characters were most alike, became most interested in each other, and thus they found it pleasantest to eat together and to sit in the same parlour. Thus those who, either by lot, or by their intelligence and industry, gained the finest clothes and furniture, and had similar employments and habits, formed one circle by themselves. In like manner those who worked together in the fields became best acquainted, and they formed another circle. And thus, too, those who worked in the kitchen became best acquainted and associated together.
But the good minister found many hard feelings coming up from this state of things. For
those who had the most talents, and the finest clothing and furniture, began to take airs of superiority, and to treat the others with discourtesy and disrespect, while those who had less advantages grew envious, jealous and discontented. It was a very difficult matter to rectify the wrong state of feeling on both sides. Though the minister taught those who had the most advantages, that they should set an example, to all the rest, of gentleness, humility and courtesy, he could not prevent some of them from appearing haughty and proud, nor induce them to treat all persons with respect and courtesy, whatever were their employment or appearance.
And it was just as difficult to make those who were less fortunate, feel kindly towards those who were better off than themselves. They all insisted that none should visit them in their rooms, or eat with their circle, unless their company was wanted, but when other people used the same privilege and excluded them they felt grieved and offended. They were so unreasonable as to insist that nobody should treat them as they were determined to treat
others. And though the minister laboured more to make them feel and act reasonably about this than for any thing else, he often sighed over his poor success.