ple of a character near akin to his own—of similar tastes, habits, manners, feelings and purposes. It is this similarity of character which draws them together, and renders their society mutually agreeable. Hence we find those who are deeply absorbed in any particular subject—as temperance, peace, abolition, moral reform, and the like—anxious to make the acquaintance and enjoy the society of persons known to be interested in the same subject.
And where religion has taken a strong hold on the mind of a community, especially if doctrine or ritual is more thought of than the spirit and life of religion, there you will find those of similar beliefs and ecclesiastical preferences, drawn into the same society. They associate under the prompting influence of that implanted instinct which attracts each one to his like. Thus Methodists prefer to associate with Methodists. Baptists with Baptists. Friends with Friends. Catholics with Catholics, and soon. And there is nothing wrong in this. Each one, in choosing the society of those most like himself, is but yielding to a law of his nature—the law of spiritual affinity. The wrong comes when, through a narrow and mistaken view of the subject, people look upon those of a society or creed different from their own, as therefore inferior to or less righteous than themselves, and assume toward them an unfriendly attitude.
We have an illustration of the same law in all voluntary associations; for the evil as well as the good are drawn together by mutual affinity. Thus profligates prefer the society of profligates, gamblers the society of gamblers, thieves the society of thieves; and tipplers,
