The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-11-28
CHRISTIANITY A RULE OF LIFE.

EDit' AfttefUfY CUUtsf
CHRISTIANITY A RULE OF LIFE.
From a discourse upon this subject we en-
tract few eloquent remarks. which we do
Wth me more readiness, as they abound in all
'he fullness OF truth.-Ne,eburypor Herald
" Is it necessary :has the curtain which
hides future world from our sight should
he Withdrawn, that the glorious rewards Of
Immortality should he displayed before US
III their Jul figure and measure, in order TO
eXrlte eur sollcltude after a llessedness
which IS greater than eye hath seen, or eaF
heard, or Imagination OF man can conc Give?
Let US remember always that the sanctions
/ OF the DIVINE law are momentous that
! future life and an exact retribution are
certain; that the Judgment of God will be
without respect of persons and that the
consequences of our present character and
conduct are eternal. Whatsoever man
soweth that shall he also reap.
There are feelings and views. a temper
and conduct, which are peculiar to the de-
voted followers Of Jesus Christ True
christianity is divine principle implantea
IN the heart. 1t is not the asscSr~ss ffle.
mind TO any articles of faith nor the OBJ
seryance OF external rites nor the fierce
AMI vlndlctive spirit of sectarian zeal 4; ner
the heat OF an nnrcstrained and vivid im-
aglnatlon; nor the ebullition of passion.
1t IS not the possession of what is commons
( ~ termed u good heart. that is, a henevo-
! lent and amiahle disposition: for this is
often associated with many vices. 1t is
not merely what passes in society under the
name of a good and moral life that mega
tive virtue, which offends against no rule
OF society, and which observes truth and
justice; Eut at the same time is entirely
distinct from the gospel, and indifferent to
It's peculiar obligations.
True christianity is much nobIer
principle. 1t is far from being, in the linz
| tied sense of which we are accustomed TO
speak, mere moral life it is a divine life.
In an advanced and improved state, it is
I the humiliation of all selfshness, and the
4 love OF God and mankind, matured by
/ knowledge and chastened hy Judgment,
dlfiusing itself throughout the man form
ING the temper, controlling the thoughts,
| desires, sentiments, and passions ;-inspiT-
ing exalted and generous purposes; and in
! their prosecution, arousing all the energies
of the body and mind. True christianity
IS the image of God reflected from the
soul. 1t makes man the friend of man and
the child of heaven.
habitual, supreme and universal rule Of
life, it is not what it was designed to be.
It's acquisitions are arduous and great.
But with the duty, God in his mercy prof
fers the aid and facility. and in all its re-
questions, 1t has no other, it can have no
better object, than that which is perfectly
competent to effect your present honor and
peace, and the final felicity Of your nature
APOLOGIZE. The fox once came near q
fine garden, where he beheld lofty trees
laden with fruit that charmed the eye.---
Such beautiful sight, added to his natur-
al greedness, excited in him desire Oe
possession. He fain would taste the for
hidden fruit, but high wall stood between
him and his wishes. He went about in
search of an entrance, and at last found
an opening in the wall but it was too
small for his body. Unable to penetrate,
he had recourse to his usual cunning. He
tasted three days, and became sufficiently
reduced to crawl through the small aper-
ture Having effected an entrance, he
carelessly roved about in this delightful
\ region; making free with its delightful
produce, and feasting on its most rare and
delicious fruit. He staid for some time,
and glutted his appetite when a thought
struck him that he might be observed;
and, in that case, he should pay dearly for
his enioyed pleasure. He therefore retir-
ed to the place he had entered, and at
tempted to get out but, to his great con-
sternation, he found his endeavors in vain.
He had, by Indulgence, grown so fat and
/. plump, that the same space would no more
admit him.
81 am in a Rne predicament," said be
to himself "Suppose the master of the
garden were now to come and call NE to
an account, what would become of me2
I see my only chance of escape is to fast
and hall starve MYSELF" Ete did 50 With