The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-11-21

Success in Lile."
On the Influence Of Religion on Character
Ifindeed it is of Importance to act up.
on principle, when we wish to form an
honorable character, it is Of equal inn
portance that the principle we adopt as
our rule should be the most perfect in its
nature, and the most powerful in its ope-
ration. Such a principle is religion,
1t is not intended, neither is it need.
ful, to give such definition of religion
as shall mark any speciick denemina.
ton or party among Christians Real
religion may exist among most of them,
although some may be more and some
less favourable to its purity or its inhu-
ence. Were it the object of these
pages to fit persons for the world to
come, very close examination of doc
trines, motives, and modes of worship.
would be highly appropriate since
many deceive themselves by unscfiptur-
al notions, and are preparing bitter dis
appointments and endless remorse, by
their carelessness or prejudice. To re-
ject, or to trifle with the only name Civ
en- among men whereby we can be say
ed, cannot possibly be safe. As how
ever the advice now offered relates to
the present world, less exact view of
religion may suffice. The object here
is not to exalt or recommend one party
beyond another, where Piety is essen
tally the same; but to entreat that the
difference between pro4aneness and re-
ligion, in the separate effect of each on
the character, may be well understood,
and taken prominently into account by
the young, who are now choosing their
plans, their objects, and of course the
means best calculated to. give them
success.
There are two points of view IN
which the taking up of religion decid-
edly may be discerned to have impor-
tant eficacy---internally on a persons
own mind, and essential character and
externally, on his reputation orcharac-
ter among men.
Nothing can be more important to a
man, than that himself, bis own mind,
his principles, bis feelings, his motives,
be good: to this end religion is all i'm
portant. Education, habit, even preju-
dices on the right side, may have their
use, and certainly have very powerful
influence. But all these are liable to
wear away; as branches stuck in the
ground may look green while, but,
without root, they cannot continue
The only living root of good morals is
religion. That principle will endure,
will be powerful, which regards God !;
which refers to his law, acts as. under
his eye, and obtains its vigour from a
view Of judgment, and an eternal world.
The man does not merely seem to be
good, just, benevolent, &c. whose con-
science thus enlightened vigorously inn
pels hinn--but he is so in reality. The
continual momentum of such prinei-
pie keeps the mind regular this inter-
nal warmth makes it brilliant; now is
produced that consistency which alone
can secure future actings, and enable
US to foretell with certainty what the
course will be.
The force which bowls each planet
along, would carry it far away, were
not the suns attractive power to retain
and regulate IFS motions. Such an inAu-
ence from the sun of revelation, rather
from the Sun Of Righteousness himself,
keeps the mental asteroid true and
secures all the beauties which crown
the varying seasons of growing and de-
caying life. Let then every pure prin-
ciple be drawn from its purest source.
BE not content to take ii from some
-stagnant pool Of habit, or common cns-
tom, or worldly policy but apply to
the fountain head. Even the simple
are made wise, when they seek knowl-
edge from divine wisdom; and especial
by when the mind applies to Him who