The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-04-04

ienoranre concerning necessary eennse-
lions. hat from conviction, founded on
re ,iew of the history OF science. of the IN
suIliciepcy of those methods ST enquiry
which his predecessors bad pursued.
"Thn erronedss opinions of Dies Gartes
IN ihc same subject, frustrated al tire cf-
forts OF ms great and inventive genius, in
the study Of nature" lid. 1t is true
Hume dedueed erroneous conclusions from
his speculative daetriDe lnow almost uni
,ersally received with respect TO our is-
soranee unnecessary connections between
events ~ the efficient caases of phenOnena ;
for, as Stewart very profoundly remarks,
Il se admit the doctrine, and, at the same
time acknowledge the authority of that
principle Of the mind, which leads us 10
refer every change to an eilieirnt cause,
Mr. lItIme's doctrine seems 10 be more ia
vorable to thcism, than eyen the common
notions on this subject rs 1t keeps the
Deity always n view, net only AS The first,
but - the constantly operating efficient
cause in nature, and as the great connecting
principle among al the various phenomena
whicn we observe. This, accordingly, was
the conclusion which Malebralr he deduccd
from premises very nearly The same with
Mr. linme's." Hume, then, in the iIyesti-
CATION of the most ubstrusc subject which
eau come within the grasp Of the human
mind, erred in the illogical deduction OF an
inadnissble conclusion bat let it be re
mcnbered that he erred, as great genius
only could err. Feeling his power, aud
urged by an enthusiastic devotion 10 truth,
he impionsiy cssaycd by one immortal
effort OF intellect, To crush into atoms the
venerable fabric of what he deemed rcf-
gious superstition, and To rstablfshupon its
ruins the imperlshable throne of pure,
distracted Reason. He stri,cd in vain =
Our holy religion, like the everlasting py-
ramids of Egypt, wilhsood mmoved, the
shock Of his power; and will forever con-
tlnuc to baale Tire assaults Of all IFS foes,
because lis deep foundations are laid in the
necessities Of our nature, and the consttu-
ton of the hnmau tfcart, "Tne over
throws the Illusions Of opinion, but estab-
fishes The decisions of nature ~
The promulgatioH by Hume, Of his ire
ligious system is 10 be lamented on two
accounts 1T furnished the lustre OF his
fame, aud lent the magic Of IA powerful
name 10 the cause of infdelity. Yet WHEN
advert to the moral purity of the man
when recount the many noble and shinil g
virtues which warmed his heart when /
estimate the value OF hisimpeiIshab.e labors
IN the department history and recoll,ct
'lrd trait of enthusiasm in his character,
winch, in the retirement Of his closet might
have prompted him to excIaim, in the sn-
'ccrily OF his soul Il love mankind; love
their religion but love truth more p |
feel rresistibly drawn to mitigate the SIEVE.
rity OF TINT verdict of condemnation, which,
as a CHRISTIAN, | am constrained TO pass
upon his pcnieioas and declared sccpti-
cIsn.
David Hume died, not like God but
he died,as he had iiyed, like philosopher
Unshak.n by fear unmoycd by grief
with Roman iirmness and self possession
he exchanged worlds alike iudllcron,
to sleep or die 70 Peace to his ashes
March 90, 1898. &.