Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-07-23

~ 49, es'~'ssV' 10y ~ Wv
Among the truths which heaven has been plea
sed t. communicate 10 mankind, next to the exis-
tence Of God, the most important 10 the imn,or-
tally Of the Soul. This il the aim Of religion, and
the design OF revelation. The various di.peusa-
tons OF Che Universal Parent Of mankind towards
bis rational oG.pring by their agency, however in
consistent they may appear to human wisdom and
sagncity. are intended 10 aid ~ in the sttsinmeut
Of this one great and most important Of objects.
The rites Of religion, they are appointed to as
sist, 70 are they subordinate, ard important, only
the happiness Of the soul, and the enjoyment Of
future felicity, are their chief end, and their nlt
mate aim.
Unas.isted by any direct revelation from he asen,
and guided only by the rays Of the faint light
which Nature cast upon this subject many OF the
ancient beathens were led 10 the conclusion, that
the soul ives an immortal and material part Of man.
The unequal distribution Of rewards and punish
ments in this life, Afforded then sufcient grounds
for the admission Of this bclisf. They bcheld the
wicked and the vicious, riotiug ON the epoils Of
their oppression, srampsing sndrr foot the most
sacred of laws, setting 1t de6asse and regardless
efevery human obligation, elsvsted TO the very
pinnacle Of atnuenes and prosperity whilst, on the
other hand, the virtsous and the good were sur
rounded by misfortune and adversely, and drank
deep Of the bitter cup Of misery aud affection.
They were unwilling TO believe, that the scnl which
bed been habitually yirtuous, should at death be-
come extinct, and receive no compensation for its
suferngs in this life or that ifthe hand OF Justice
did not administer 10 tile other deserved retribu.
tion in his world, he wosid finally escape his meri-
ted punishment At his removal BY Death. Hence
hoy were led TO this conclusion from the instincts
Of nature. and the mere suggestions OF reason. So
well convinced was Plato Of its truth, that he
wrote in its defence. Socrates concurred in this
mi MI nd LAIR es<.1
two Of the most distinguished OF the Romans,
avowed sentiments similar TO those entertained by
these great and celebrated lights Of antiquity II
formed subject for much speculation and debate
IL served to heightcn the imagery OF the hard and
add to the lustre OF his verse. But, as hos been
previously observed, these we're the mere sugges.
tons Of reason, without any direct confirmation Of
their truth from above. Hence their belief was Of
ten clouded by doubt, and cnveioped id unoertsin.
~ and darkness. Difficulties presented, which,
Human sagaci,y was uaable TO discover, and which,
without superior assistance, human wisdom was uN-
able 10 solve. II nm going," said Socrates to his
friends. previously to his death, but where, God
only knows" Neither was this the opinion Of the
srhoie il formed the belief Of comparatively few.
Without any positive assurance, they were ignor.
ant Of the state Of the soul after its dsunion weth
Or il wsuld exist in future state, OF perish with
the body, and Death thus prove an endless and an
eternal sleep. They cast their eyes on the bound
less ocean Of tnturity, without gleam of light to
shed ray Of hope on their benighted paths an
awful obscurity overshadowed. and mist Of doubt
and darkness hung over their faith.
Nor did the religion Of the Jews tend in much
greater degree to the removal Of these doubts II
went but q step further towards dispeIIng these
difficulties aud embarrsssments. il furnished, iu-
deed uster notions of the Deity, of his moral attr
butes, character, and projections. Though hear
ing the strongest and the most unequvocaI marks
Of It's divine origin from the signal interpretations il
had frequently received in atteststion off truth
from heaven, Judaism was but faint emblem of
that which was to succeed il. A long life, and the
land lowing with milk and honey, were the extent
Of its promises Some OF the inspired men indeed
in after ages, gave obscure limitations Of life to
come. Ofall, Job seems to have thrown the most
light this interesting, but then dark and iutri
cate subject. If a man." said he die, shall he
not live again p' Borne down with affection, be
seems to have looked forward to period when Mis-
trials and sufferings would have ceased and receive
an ample compensation from that being who never
suffers virtue and piety TO pass unrewarded. This
contemplation armed him with fortitnde, aud in-
spired him with patience under his trials, and sub
mission to the will Of his creator. !" kapt into fu-
tnre tines" the prophetic bard, tho living al the
distance Of more than two Thousand years from the
advent Of the Messiah. yet with the eve of faith
seems to have hailed his dcliyerance already
complisled. II know" he exclaimed, from the