Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-10-15
AN ADDRESS

| AN AODRESo
Delivered at the alton Sunday School,
Seht. IS, 1925, il being The laas day
Of their second quarter.
BY Rev. Isaac SCARRrrT.
! Among the numerous objects in ma
ture which invite all intelligent mind 10
contemplation, that of our own species
stands conspicuous. The Psalmisl has
said, "when | consider the heavens the
work Of thy fingers, the moon aid the
| stars which thou hast ordained, "What
is man 7" Compared with those migh,y
orbs, man indeed, sinks INTO insigniii-
canoe; but when distinctly surveyed
| with regard to his Construction, powers,
and destiny, maD appears the fnost IN
leres,ing being OF all Gods lower crea-
don. Man alone possesses the powers
of intelligence; man alone possesses a
living soul"
ltseems TO have been the design Of the
allwise architect, that man should not
only form a prominent feature, but hold
an important station in the system OF his
| WNthSs uEtlS VIC uilo Mn IINrotSd w IN
those powers which render him capable,
m a degree, OF knowing, loving and obey
ing his Crealor.
The possession of these distinguish
ing prersgatiyes, lays man under cor
responding obligations 10 his Maker !;
and not Oh his own account only; he
seems to stand the minister or represen.
tative Of all those other parts Of creation
with which ne is connected. The earth
and all things therein are called upon to
praise their Creator; but how is tins TO
be done but through the channel OF in-
telligence They are therefore given to
man for his contemplation and ENJOY
nent; and for them, as well as for him
self, was he designed to present the tri-
butte OF gratitude, love and praise, before
the throne of God.
| How forcibly does this argument APP.
| ply itself to the objections so often urged
by inidels against Revelation. 1t is
often asked, "what reason have we to
believe that God would make sheciat
revelation oil his will to man :" What !!
a being possessed of sheciat powers
powers Of MISUNDERSTANDING she
ciat relation and under shecial obliga-
liuns to his Maker--and yet, no reason to
believe that God would communicate
that sjtccial instruction which was adapt,
| ed 10 the nature and exercise OF those
powers, and necessary 10 govern the con
duct of mani!
The nature Of this objection willmore
fully appear by applying it 10 a parallel
case. In the construction Of our bodily
system, God has fixed an appetite which
Graves aud relishes that food which is
necessary to the support Of life. We
ask-what reason we have to conclude
that God would create food adapted TO
our appetite and support! Let in6dels
solve this question; (and they have every
dictate Of reason at command for their
assis,ance) and when they have done it,
they will have an answer Zone among
.housand) to their own objection.
But God has given revelation Of his
will to men, ana it is by knowledge
alone that we are enabled to understand
it. The acquisition Of knowledge, es-
pecially since the fall, implies, instruc-
ton from others, and diligent exercise
Of those intelligent powers Of the mind
which man possesses.
Youth is the most proper state Of life
to commence this business. The open.
ing and expanding mind invites instruc.
tisn, and tends to exercise.