words, every child of Adam has, from the Creator, the inalienable right of wielding, within reasonable limits, his own powers, and employing his own resources, according to his own choice; while he respects his social relations, to promote as he will his own welfare.  But mark—­HIS OWN powers and resources, and NOT ANOTHER’S, are thus inalienably put under his control.  The Creator makes every man free, in whatever he may do, to exert HIMSELF, and not another.  Here no man may lawfully cripple or embarrass another.  The feeble may not hinder the strong, nor may the strong crush the feeble.  Every man may make the most of himself; in his own proper sphere.  Now, as in the constitutional endowments, and natural opportunities, and lawful acquisitions of mankind, infinite variety prevails, so in exerting each HIMSELF, in his own sphere, according to his own choice, the variety of human condition can be little less than infinite.  Thus equality of rights opens the way for variety of condition.

But with all this variety of make, means, and condition, considered individually, the children of Adam are bound together by strong ties which can never be dissolved.  They are mutually united by the social of their nature.  Hence mutual dependence and mutual claims.  While each is inalienably entitled to assert and enjoy his own personality as a man, each sustains to all and all to each, various relations.  While each owns and honors the individual, all are to own and honor the social of their nature.  Now, the Golden Rule distinctly recognizes, lays its requisitions upon, and extends its obligations to, the whole nature of man, in his individual capacities and social relations.  What higher honor could it do to man, as an individual, than to constitute him the judge, by whose decision, when fairly rendered, all the claims of his fellows should be authoritatively and definitely disposed of?  “Whatsoever YE WOULD” have done to you, so do ye to others.  Every member of the family of Adam, placing himself in the position here pointed out, is competent and authorized to pass judgment on all the cases in social life in which he may be concerned.  Could higher responsibilities or greater confidence be reposed in men individually?  And then, how are their claims upon each other herein magnified!  What inherent worth and solid dignity are ascribed to the social of their nature!  In every man with whom I may have to do, I am to recognize the presence of another self, whose case I am to make my own.  And thus I am to dispose of whatever claims he may urge upon me.

Thus, in accordance with the Golden Rule, mankind are naturally brought, in the voluntary use of their powers and resources, to promote each other’s welfare.  As his contribution to this great object, it is the inalienable birth-right of every child of Adam, to consecrate whatever he may possess.  With exalted powers and large resources, he has a natural claim to a correspondent field of effort.