The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-05-08

the social link, and places the individual
in distant sphere, beyond the attrac-
ton of his fellow beings. What il thus
gains in intellectual elevation, il loses in
moral grandeur; and though it cannot
be reached by earthly temptation, it is
easily subdued by "spiritual wicked
ness IN high pIaces.o
If the future state has its perfection
and felicity, the present has its duties
and its trials; and the one must be per-
formed and endured, or the other can
not be attained and enjoyed. Contem-
piatlon is not a virtue in itself-it may
be rendered powerful incentive to vir-
the; but when it is INDUCED as sub
statute for actual duty, ii becomes vicious.
Whatever aims to emobie and purify
US, by raising us above the sphere of
our usefulness, altogether fails of its
ohJect. Man obeys the law of his being
when he lives auth men and for them.
The virtue of an angel associates
him with angels, and makes him min
istering spirit 10 the heirs of salvation.
The being that voluntarily separates
himself from his kind, is so far denatur-
allied. He is either the slave of timid-
ity or Of pride. One is deplorable
weakness, the other detestable vice,
and both are at an infinite distance from
The true dignity of a rational nature.
Christianity is grievously misunder-
stood, when it is represented as inimical
to social existence and social enjoyment.
1t certainly unveils the glory Of the flu
ture, to shed its light upon the present;
and those who imbibe its spirit, look
not at the things which are seen, which
are temporal; but at the things which
are not seen, which are eternal. Yet,
are they not relieved from domestick
and civil obligation. In short, mau, I'M
der the Christian dispensaticn, is not
new structure, erected on the ruin of
the former: he may rather be compar-
ed to an ancient fabrick, restored when
1t had fallen into decay, and beautified
afresh by the hand of its original Foun-
der. Since Christianity has made its
appearance in the world, he has con-
tlnned the same kind of being he was
beiore-tills the same scale in the order
OF existence, and is distinguished by the
same propensities and powers. Jesus
Christ never intended that his followers,
on becoming Christians, should forget
they were men, or consider themselves
as idle or uninterested spectators on the
great theatre of life. No individual.
therefore, can plead, when he chooses
the life of a mystick, and retires from
the world to the heights of contempla-
ton, or the seclusion of monastery,
that he is obeying the dictates, or i'm
bibing the spirit of the Christian relie-
lon- And, least of all, can this plea be
urged by those who consider profess
sion Of the same faith, the only bond of
social union; and the want of this pro-
lesion, even in their dearest relatives.
as sufficient reason for dissolyino the
ties Of consanguinisy, and the claims to
natural duty. The laws of nature are
not abrogated by the precepts of the
gospel Christianity regulates, puri-
mes, and exalts our affections; but it
does not, cannot annihilate them.
1t is true, that Christian fellowship is
high and glorious privilege. and that
similarity OF views and feelings on the
subject of rcb 5ion, will naturally create
attachment, and induce us to prefer. as
our chosen companions, those who thus
resemble US in that which is confessedly
Inc most important pursuit of our being.
1t IS also equally true, that the divine
Founder of Christianity has declared.
with an awful emphasis of meaning if
ID impossible not 10 feel, and which some.
indeed have understood too literally
: II any man come to me. and hate not
bis father, and mother, and wife. and
children, and brethren, and sisters. ven.
and hls own Lille also, he cannot be nv
Disciple" But when the communion of
saiDts withdraws men from every other
communion, and when passages like the
present are interpreted SO as to sanction
such withdrawment, the character ofthe
gospel IS subyerted by the very zeal
which would maintain it. In order 10
understand the Christian doctrine of this
and similar texts of scripture, it is neces-
sary TO consider, what is implied in being
a disciple of Christ, and the difficulties
with which, in The time of our Lord. all
who were anxious 10 obtain this charac.
ter, had to contend, and which. to GER
tam extent, have existed in their fill
force up to the present moment