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

PA'hNipiCS3 ioA t1C SObCtuuiCht VI 1Ou
conduct and temper, unless you have
such rules and principles, there will b.
numberless occasions in which you viii
have no guide for your government, bn
your passions. it's in the Bible you
must learn these rules and principles"
Speaking Of those parts of the Scrip
lures that appear mysterious, he says
"All this is undoubtedly marvellous and
above our comprehension much of it is
clearly hgurative and aIlegorical /; nor
ia it easy to distinguish what part of it IS
to be understood in literal, and what
in symbolical sense-but that which it
imports us 10 understand is pldin.--The
great and essential principles upon which
our duties and enjeyments depend, are
involved in no Obscurily." "When one
OF the personages in one of Terrence's
comedies, the first time uttered in the
Theatre the line Homo sum, ct humani
me nil alien puto," an universal
shout of applause burst from the whole
audience, and that in so great a multi
tube of Romans, and of Deputies from
the nations, their subjects and allies,
thels was not one individual but felt in
his heart this noble sentiment. Yet how
feeble and defective is il, in comparison
with the christian commands of charity,
as untolded 10 the discourses Of Christ,
and enlarged upon,the writings of the
Apostles. The heart of man will always
respond with rapture 10 the sentiment,
when there is no selfish, 20 unsocial pas
sion at work TO oppose it, but the com
mand to lay it down as the great funda-
rental rule of conduct for human life,
and TO subdue and sacrifice all the ty-
rannical and selfish passions to preserve
it--this is The peculiar and unfading
glory OF chrlstianity-this is a conquest
over ourselves, which without the aid of
mercitul God none of US can achieve,
and which it was worthy of his special
lnter?osition 10 enable us TO accomplish.
''ln my last, showed you from the
very words Of our SAVIOUR that he com
manded his disciples 10 aim at per-
tection-and that this perfection be
considered in self subsection and bro
therly love, in the complete conquest
of the passions, and in the practice of
benevolence to our fellow creatures. in
GLIDING among them our most inveterate
enemies" ''You will there find proved
the duty of totally subduing the pas
sions. 1t is sometimes objected that
this theory is not adapted to the infrmi-
ties of human nature-that il is not made
for a being so constituted as man, that
an earthen vessel is not formed 10 dash
against IA rock, that in yielding to the
impulse OF the passions, mau only fol-
lows the dictates of his nature; and that
to subdue them entirely, is an effort be-
You'd his power. The weakness and
frailty of man, it is not possible to deny
it is too strongly attested by all human
experience, as well as by the whole ten
or OF the scriptures but tie degree of
weakness 10 be limited by the efforts to
overcome it and not by indulgence TO
it. Once admit weakness in an argument
TO forbeaC exertion, and il results in alb
solute impotence. 1t is also very in.
conclusive reasoning, 10 infer, that be-
cause perfection is not absolutely 10 be
obtained, it is therefore not 10 be sought.
Human excellence consists in the ap-
Proclamation to perfection and the only
means OF approaching TO any term, is by
enGcavourlug 10 obtain the term itself.
With these convictions upon the mind,
and with sincere, honest effort TO prac-
tise upon them, and with the aid of a
divine blessing, which is promised to it,
the approaches 10 perfection may at
least be SO great as nearly to answer all
the ends that absolute perfection itself
could attain"
d" In order TO preserve the dominion Of
our own passions, it behoyes us 10 be
constantly and strictly upon our guard
against the influence and infect N of The
passions OF Others. This Caution is all
necessary in youth; and dee m it the
more indispensable TO eujoin it upor
you, because as kindness and beneyo
lence comprise the whole system o
christian duties, there may be, and otter
is, great danger of falling into error anc
vice, merely by the want of energy tC
resist the example, or the enticement o.
others. On this point, the true charac
ter of christian morality,appears to have
been misunderstood, by some of it
ablest and warmest defenders. Ia Pa
ley's " View Of the Evidences of Chri
tianity," there is chapter upon thu
morality of the Gospel, in which there
is the following passage: "The truth is
there are two opposite descriptions o
character UNDER which mankind ma,
generally be classed. The one possess
es vlgor, firmness, resoIution--is daring
and active, quick in its sensibilities
{ jealous of its fame, eager in its attach