Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-12


in its scusibi;ties, Jealous of its fame, eager in
its attachments, inllexible in its purposes, vio-
lent III its resentment. The other, meek, yield
ing, complying, forgYing, not prompt 10 act,
but W Ing to suffer, silent and gentle under
rudeness and insult, suing for reconciliation,
when others would demand satisfaction; giving
way TO the pushes of Inpudence, conceding and
indulgcnt 10 the prcjudces, the intractbihty OF
of those il has TO deal WITH the former of these
characters is and ever hath been the favorite of
the world Ii is the character of great men.
There is dignity in it, which universally com
mands respect. The latter is poor spirited,
tame and AFFECT. Yet SO it happened with the
founder of Christianity, the latter is the subject
OF his commentator, his precepts, his example;
and that the former is 10 part of its compost
ton. DR.. Paley is III this place adopting the
opinion of Soame Jennings, whose essay upon
the Internal evidence of Christianity he very
strongly recommends; but cannot consider it
as an accurate and discerning delineation of
character, as exhibiting a correct represen-
tation of Christian principles. The founder Of
Christianity, did indeed pronounce, distinct and
positive blessings upon the poor in spirit (Which
is by no means synonymous with the poor spiri-
ted, and the meek. But in what part of the
gospel did DR.. Paley find him countenancing by
commentator, precept example, the tame
sumcd upon earth, was that of Lord and Master.
1t was in this character that his disciples re-
ceived and acknowledged him. The obedience
that he required, was unboanded; infinitely be-
You'd that which was claimed 10y the most abso-
lutte earthly sovereign over his subjects.
Never for one moment, did he recede
from the authoritative systcm.-He pre-
served it in washing the feet of his disciples.
He preserved it in his answer to the high priest.
He preserved it in the very agony of his excIa-
nation upon the cross. &c Farther forgive them,
they know not what they do" He expressly
declares himself TO be the prince of this world,
and the Son of God. He spoke as one having au-
thority not only to his Disciples, but TO his mo-
Their, his Judges to PLATE the Roman Govern
or, to John the Baptist, his precursor. And
there is not in the four Gospels, one act, nor
one word recorded ofhim (exceptingi in his COM
munion with Cody that was not direct or inn
piled assertion of authority. He said to his dis
ciples (NIathew, xii, 2o,) 'iearn of me, for am
meek and lowy in heart, and We shall find rest
to your SOULS But where did he ever say, learn
ofme, for | am tame and AFFECT. There is GER
tainly, nothing more strongly marked in the
prccept and example of Christ, than the princi-
pie of stubborn and infiexible resistance, a.
gai,lst the impulses ofothers to evil. He taught
his deciples, to renounce every thing that is
cross, and suffer all il-treatment, persecution &
death for his sake. What else is the Book of
Acts, than a record of the faithfulness with which
these chosen ministers Of the gospel carried these
inlunctions OF the gospel into execution. In the
conduct and speeches of Stephen, and Peter, of
John, or OF Paul, Is there any thing indicating
resemblance to the second class of characters
into which DR.. Agley divides all mankind If
there Is character upon historical record dis
tingushed by bold, intrepid, tenacious and in
flexible spirit, it is that of ST. Paul. Ii was to
such characters only, that the commission of
teaching could be committed, with certainty of
success. Observe the expression of Christ to
Peter, Matt. X. 18) land say unto thee that
thou art Peter. a roclk) and upon this rock viii
L build my church, and the gates of hell shall
one of those drivellers, who to use vulgar a.
dagc, can never say NO, to any body-The true
Christian is the ''Jnstum ct tenacent p,opost,' y
of Horace. The combination of those qualities
so essential TO the heroic character, with those
ofmeckness, lowlness of heart, and brotherly
love, is what constitutes that moral perfection,
ofwhiCh Christ gave an example in his own life.
and to which he commanded his disciples to as
pirc. Endeavour my dear son, to dscinline your
own heart, and TO govern your conduct by these
principles thus combined. Be meek, be gentle
be kindly afectionate to all mankind, not ex-
cepting your own enemies. But never be tame
or AFFECT, never give way to the pushes ofimpu-
denee, or show yourself yielding and complying
to preiudices, wrong medicines, or intractibili-
ty, which would lead or draw you astray from the
dictates OF your own conscience, or sense of
right.-t Till you die, let not your integrity de-
part from YOU" Build your house upon a Rack;
and then let the rains descend, and the floods
come, and the winds blow and beat upon that
house it shall not fall for it will be founded up
on 7'oc6.-So promises your blessed Lord and
Saviour, and prays your afiectionatc father.n
GO The principles and rules of composition,
derived from Greek and Roman schools, and ex-
ampes of their principal writers, have been so
generally adopted in modern literature, that the
style Of the scriptures, differing so essentially
from them, could not be initiated without great
atTectation. But for pathos of narrative, for the
selection of incidents that go directly to the
hart; forthe picturesque of character and man
ners the selection circumstances that make
the individuality of persons for copiousness.
grandeur, and subiimity of imagery for unan-
swerable cogency and closeness OF reasoning.
for irresistible force of persuasion; no book in
the world deserves to be so increasingly studied
and so profoundly meditated upon as the BIZ
bie."-'' BE careful not to let your reading make
yo,ta peotot, or bigot; nor to puff you up, witha
conceited opinion of your own knowledge or
make you intolerant ofthe opinions which others
draw from the same source, however different
from your own. And may the MercifuI Creator
who gave the Scriptures for our instruction.
bless your study of them, and make them to
you fruitful Of good works"
The aforegoing are extracted from eleven
long letters, covering more than seventy pages
ofmanuscript. Such is the man, the father.
who is charged with having passions uncop-
trolled, and apostatzing from the religion of his
forefathers. In this whole series of letters there