Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-05-31

Do-The following extracts from Discourse
delivered in Boston, on the 2lst instant, by the
Rev. DIR. CLAIMING, we copy from the Bos-,
ton Gazette. The eloquent Divine remarks:
81 wish TO regard myself as belonging not to
a scot, but to the community Of free minds, Of
lovers Of TRUTH of followers of Christ, both on
earth and in heaven. desire to escape the
narrow walls of particular church. and to
stand under the open sky, in the broad light,
looking far and wide, seeing with my own
eyes, hearing with my own ears, and following
truth meekly but rcsolutcly, however arduous
or solitary be the path in which she leads.
am then no organ of a sect, but speak from
myself alone; and thank Cod that live, at O
time, and under circumstances, which make it
my duty to lay open my whole mind with free
dom and simplicity" I....,
Speaking Of the liberalizing influence OF
Christianity, DR.. Chanting remarks: r
~ see in Christianity nothing narrowing or
depressing, nothing Of the littleness Of the sys-
tens which human fear, and craft and ambition,
have engendered. l meet there no minute
legislation, no descending to precise details.
no arbitrary njunctons, no yoke Of ceremonies,
no outward religion. Every thina breathcs
freedom, liberality, enlargement. ! meet there,
not formal, rigid creed, binding on the in
telcct. through all ages, the mechanical, pas
sivo repetition Of the same words, and the same
ideas; but meet few grand, all compre-
hending truths, which are given to the soul, TO
be developed and applied by itself; given 10 il,
as seed to the sower. to be cherished and ex-
panded by its own thought love, and obedience
into moro and more glorious fruits Of wisdom
and virtue. see il every where inculcating
an enlarged spirit,sof poty and philanthropy,
| leaving ca ch of us to manifest this spirit ac-
cording TO the monitions Of his individual con-
science. hear it every where calling the
soul TO freedom and power, by calling il TO
guard against the senses, the passions, The ap-
petites, through which it Is chained, enfecbled,
destroyed. see il every where aiming 10 give
the mind power over the outward world, to
make it superior TO events, TO suffering, TO ma
terlal nature, TO persecution, TO death. l see
it every where aiming 10 give the mind power
over itself, to invest it with inward sovereignty,
to call forth within us mighty energy for our
own elevation. / meet in Christianity only
discoveries Of vast, bold, illimiiable charac-
ter; fitted and designed 10 give energy and ex-
pansion TO the soul. BY its doctrine Of a Uni
versal Father, il sweeps away all the barriers
of scot, party, rank, and nation. in which men
have laboured to shu, up their love; makes us
members Of an unbounded family; and estab-
| fishes sympathics between man and tho whole
intelligent creation. In the character OF
Christ, it sets before us moral perfection, that
greatest and most quickcnng miracle in bu-
man history, purity which shows no stain or
touch OF the earth, an excellence unborrowcd,
unconiined, bearing no impress of any age or
any nation, the very image Of the Universal l
Father and II encourages us, by rssrro n
ces Of Gods merciful asl, 10 propose this
| enlarged, unsullied virtue, as the model
and happiness Of our moral nature.-By tho
cross Of Christ, IT sets forth the spirit of self
sacrifice with an energy never known be-
fore, end. in thus cruciyng sel6shnesr, frees
the mind from its worst chain. BY Christ q
resurrection, il links this short life with eierni-
I ~, discovers to us in the Heeting present. the
germ Of an endless future, reveals TO MS the bu-
man mind ascending to other worlds, breathing
freer air. forming higher connections, snd
summons Us TO force Of holy purpose becosn-
ing such destination. To conclude, Chris-
tianity every where sets before us God in ths
character Of infinitely free, rich. boundlsss