The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1824-03-25

most Of sli 10 resdiog the Bible, to remember
/ that !. 10 Tor the purpose Of making you wiser,
snd moro viriuous. I hsve for myself, for
1 many years, msde IL . practice 10 reed through
he Bible oDcs every year have slwsys en-
/ desvosed TO read IL with the same spirit and
temper Of mind which ] DOW recommend 20
you that 10 with tbe intention and desire that
IL might contribute TO my advancement 10
wisdom snd virtue my desire 10 indeed very
impe, fec,ly successful for like you, and the
Apostle Paul, find Law 10 my members
wsring against the Law of my mind. But % !
know itis my nature 10 be imperfect, 30 j
know IL Is my duly 10 aim Of perfection sod
feeling and dep'oting my own frsilies, can
only p'sy Almighty God for the aid Of his
spirit TO strengthen my good desires, and sub
due my pfopensiies 20 evil, for IL is from him
that every good sbd perfect gifi descendeth.
My custom is, TO read four or FIVE chapters Of
tho Bible every morning, Immediately alter
rising from bed u employs sboui an hour OF
my time, and see ms The q, ost suitable manner
OF be ginning the dsy." Every time read
the Bible, under stand somo passages which
never understood before" Heaven has
given TO every boSpsn bsing the power oi con.
trolling his passions; and If he neglec,s o.
losss il, the fault 10 his own, ard be must be
sccountsble for it," "It 10 essensisi, my son,
in order ,bst you may 60 through lie with
comfort TO yourself, and usefulness to your
follow cTestures, that you shouId form sud a.
dopi certain rules end principles, for Tho 60
ve,nnent Of your conduc, and temper unless
you have such rules and principles, there will
be p6mherless OCCASIONS in which you will
have 20 guide for your government, but your
passions. l, is IN the Bibo you must learn
these rules aud principles"
Speaking OF those parts OF The Scriptures
that appear mysieiious, he ssys--" All this is
undoubtedly ma, 1elioos and above cor com.
pfeheoGion much of Is clearly hsurstive
and sliegor icsl nor Is IL es.y 10 distinguish
what part OF II Is 10 be understood IN literal,
and what in q stmbolicai sense--but that
which i, imports Us 10 understand 10 Plsln.--
f6s g,es; essenliui principles upon which
on, duties sud shjoymep,s depend, are invoi'.
ed 10 no obscutIsy." "Whep one OF the per-
sonsges in one of Terence's comedies, the
6,st time 0nefed in The Theatre Tho line,
" Homno sum, st humspi Tne nil slienun
puto"s an universal shout Of applause bufu
from the whole audience, and that IN Sc great
q mul,i,ude Of Romans, aod oi Deputies from
the nsticns their subjects aud siiies, ,here was
no, one individual Lu, felt 10 his heart The
bie sod defective 10 il, in comparison with the
chtis,is6 Commands Of chati,y, ~ unfolded in
,he discou,ses Of Christ, and enlarged upon
| in the writing, Of the Apostles. The hear, OF
m IN viii swsys respond with rapture 10 tho
| sentiment, when theis 10 no selfish, no unso-
! ciei passion at wosk, 10 oppose IL. But the
| command 10 10y II down ss the great iunda.
| mental rule Of conduct ior hOmsn life, end TO
/ all m nil A a l.
a'h passions, % preserve n---'e" " the Pc
! ec!isr spo unisoing giory Of Chsis'isn''y-
| this is Q conquest over ourselves, which, WIN
! DOT the eid OF me cfu, God, none oi us can
| achieve, end which il was worthy OF his ape.
| ciai inie, position to eosble US 10 comp'ish.
| ain my last, ! showed ycu from tho very
I words Of our Saviour thar he commanded his
| decipies TO aim at psiiee,iCn and that this
| perfection consisted IN self subjega,ion and
| bio,he,ly love, in the compleIe cosques. oi
| the passions, and in the p sctice OF benevo.
,spce TO our fellow creatures, including
| mong them our mos; inveie's' saemies.
| "You Will thess in d proved the d0iy ol total
! iy sutduing the passions. II someumeA
| objected that this iheo y 10 not adapted to the
ipfi- mites Of humsn nature; that II 10 not
| N ado for Q being 80 constituted ss mnn, that
| an earthen vessel IL not fo med 10 dash o.
| gsinst . rock that 10 yielding 10 The impulse
! Of his passions, man only toiiowstne dictates
/ Of his nature and ths, 10 subdue The m en'i'e.
| ly, 10 on efFor, beyond hispower. The weak
ne,, end i,sil,y Of man, it is not possible 10
| deny It 10 too strongly suesied by all human
| experience, - we'll ss by the whole tenor OF
! the scriptures; bot the degree OF wesknes TO
be limited BY tbs efforts to overcome ", end
not by indulgence TO II. Once admit week.
ness is On srgumsn, TO fo,besr exeftion, sod u
results in absolute impotence. IL 10 slso very
incopciusive tesson,ng, to infer, that because
| perfection 10 not absolutely to be Obtained, II
| /. therefore no, 10 be sousht. Human excel.
Ienee eonsist, in the approximation TO pstfec.
,ion (, and the ooiy means Of approaching TO
sny term, 10 BY endesvoring 10 obtain the term
| itself. With these convictions upon tho mind
and with sincere, honest effort TO practice
upon them, and with tho aid Of divine bles-
l .,.- ~hich IA oromised 10 IL. the aonroac c M