Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-04-21

Hcie - uISHlty ln III. WHICH uDlPefSdi-
ly demands respect. The latteris poor
spirited; tame and abject Yet it so
happened with the founder of christiani-
ty, the latter is the subject of his com
mendatiOn, his precepts, his eximple,an
that the former is no part of its cOmpo-
sition.
DR.. PaIey is in this place adopting lie
opinion of Soame Jennings, whose essay
upon the internal evidences of christian
lty, ne very strongly recommends; but
cannot consider ii as an accurate and
discerning lelineation OF character, or
as exAtbiting correct representation Of
christian principles. The founder of
christianity did indeed pronounce dis
tinct and positive blessings upon The poor
in spirit (Which is by no means synony-
nous with the poor spIrited,) and the
meek. But in what part of the gospel
did DR.. Paley find him couDtenancing by
commentator, precept or example, the
tame and abject. The character which
Christ assumed upon earth, was that of
Lord and Master. 1t was in this char
acter that his disciples received and ac-
knowledged him. The obedience that
he required was unbounded, infinitely
beyond that which was claimed by the
most absolute earthly sovereign over his
subjects. Neither for one moment
did he recede from the authoritative
system.
He preserved it in washing the feet of
his disciples. He preserved it in bis an
swer to the high priest. He preserved
it in the very agony of his exclamation
upon the cross, Farther forgive them,
they know not what they do.' He ex-
pressly declares himself to he the prince
of this world, and the Son of God. He
spoke as one having authority, not only
10 his disciples, but 10 bis mother, his
Judges; to Plate the Roman Governor,
to John the Baptist, his precursor. And
there is not in the four Gospels, one act,
nor one word recorded of hint excepting
in his communion with God)that was
not direct or implied assertion of au-
lhorlty. He said 10 his disciples, (Matt.
xii. 29) ''Iearn OF Inc, for am meek and
lowly IN heart, and ye shall find rest TO
your souls" But where did he ever saw.
learn of me, for am tame and ahiect.
There is certainly nothing more strong
y marked in the precept and example
of Christ than the principle of stubborn
and lnfiexlble resistance against the i'm
pulses Of others t. evil. He taught his
disciples TO renounce every thing that
IS countedEcnjoyment upon earth; to
take up their cross and suffer all i'll treat
ment, persecution and death for his sake.
What else is the Book of Acts, than a
record Of the faithtulness with Which
these chosen ministers of the gospel car
RED these injunctions of the gospel into
execution. In the conduct and speech
es of Stephen and Peter, of John or Of
Paul, is there any thing indicating re-
semblance TO the second class of chaFac-
iers, into which Dir. Paley divides all
mankind? If there is "A character upon
historical record distinguished by told
intrepid, tenacious and inflexible spirit,
il is that of ST. Paul.
1t was TO such chaSacters only that the
commission of teaching could be commit.
ted, with certainty of Success. Observe
the expression Of Christ TO Peter. (Dau.
x. 49,. Sand say unto thee thai thou
art Peter, Ga rock aud upon this rock
will build my church, and the gates Of
hell shall not prevail against it," DR..
Paley's Christian is ole of those drivel-
lers who, TO use the vulgar adage, can
never say no. TO any body The true
christian is the Justum Ell teaacem pro-
Epositl of Horace. The combination Of
those qualities so essential TO the heroic
character, with those of meekness. low
illness OF heart, and brothprly love. is
what constitutes that moral perfection
OF which Christ gave an example in his
own life, and to which he commanded
his disciples 10 aspire. Endeavor, my
dear son, 10 discipline your own heart,
and to govern your conduct by these
principles thus combined. Be meek, be
f gentle. be kindly aileclionate to all man
kind, not excepting your own enemies.
But never he tame or abject, never give
way to the pushes of impudence, or
show yourself yielding and complying
TO preJudlces, wrong headedness, or in
tractibility, which would lead or draw
you astray from the dictates ofyour own
conscience OF sense Of right" Till you
die, let not your integrity depart from
you" Build your house upon Rock,
and then let the rains descend and the
floods come, and the winds blew and
f beat upon that house, it shall not fall
for it will be founded upon a ROCK so
promises your blessed Lord and Saviour,
and prays your afectonate father"
"The principles and rules of compo-
sition derived from Greek and Roman