Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-02
urncp uoprINsoN'S LETTER.

Extract of q letter from JtMoe fiVphu''o"' ~
latleIphia, to a gentleman IN Engta'a. u.
s.You will excuse my making no reply TO that
mart of YOUR letter which treats OF retglOaS coz
Germs. / have avoided such topics all my NE,
and shall continue to do so. have seldom seen
a man able to embark in such discussions ana STU
dies, without becoming an enthusiast OF Digo!,
and pursuing them to the rum OF INJURY VI nls
practical social duties. l have never seen one
become better or sounder man, and more
amiable christian. by involving himself III the I'M
passable mazes of theological controversy, or the
uninteIigibe iargon of dOctrinal points and ques-
tons which have no termination, no compromise,
no rational evidence or conviction on either side,
which have been undecided for thousands OF
wears, and will forever remain so, and which,
happily, it is entirely unimportant when or now
they are decided. have seen sensible and en-
lghtened men, by devoting themselves to such
Investigations, ABSTRACT and cloud their under
standing, fill themselves with the VAIN. concert
that it is given to them to understand mysteries
far beyond the fathom of human intellect, and
which they find it impossible to explain to any
plain and unsophsticated mind clear proof
that thew really do not understand them them
themselves The life of man was intended to De
EMPLOYED in useful and active pursults-in the
fulflment of duties requiring the practice OF his
moral and physical energies and talents-and not
to be employed in metaphysical dispositions
which lead to no one practical or useful result to
the individual, his family, his friends, or society
Men who employ their talents and time IN such
nconclusve speculations, become uncomfortable
to themselves, and often uncharitable to others;
they are less amiable as husbands, fathers, or
masters; and neglect their social and domestic
duties IN the indulgence of the pride and vanity
of expert polemics. TEey mistake new and OBJ
scure collection of words for knowledge, and UNI
ineligible phrases for wisdom. and believe they
are displaying the testimonies OF truth, when they
are only repeating sentences of which they can
not give any possible explanation. The truths
which the wise and just Creator OF man intended
to be his guides to virtue and happiness, cannot
be wrapt up in libraries Of foios, accessible to but
one IN million; nor to be found only by porting
over thousands ofpases of what is miscaled learn
ed criticism upon Hebreac root, or Greek par
ticle. The precepts of good and acceptable life
are acceptable to all The human race, as the air
they breathe in common, the sun which shines on
them all alike. and the food and water which re-
fresh them Has God given to all men whatever
is necessary for the support and health of their
perishable bodies, and Withheld almost from all
that which is indispensable for their eternal well
fare: This is the impious conceit OF the few who
persuade themselves that they have the saving Sc
cret, the immortal panacea!
Mr.. rCondy, of whom you speak. was man OF
distinguished learning in the profession OF the
law, and also of general knowledge and scholar
ship, with most acute and penetrating mind
He would have been at the head of the bar,
with wealth, reputation, and all the good he
could have desired; but about fifteen or more
years since, he became devotee to the doctrines
of Swedenborg From that moment every thing
was neglected or abandoned for these studies;
his law books were laid aside, his clients unat-
tended to, and his days and nights given to He
brew bibles, Latin folios, and learned criticisms
and commentaries. He was soon involved in the
embarrassment of debt, and after most misera-
Bile existence. died few months since of bro
ken and mortified spirit, leaving wife and chill
dren destitute. And to what did he sacrifice
himself and famiys What discovery has he
made! What truth elucidated or established
that is worth one farthing to any body!
This fondness for plagueing ourselves with
what we can never unfold, has been a part of
our nature in all ages Childhood is amused by
riddles, and old age by mysteries. In both cas-
es. after guessing again and again. we are obhg
ed to-'.give it up" In this, however, they
differ-the solution of riddles is within the scope
vi ldSuiticSs uOt sU vi otCliCo'
81 have unintentionally run on in this course
of observation, not to dissuade you from the in
terest you seem to take in your new doctrines;
for if they occupy and amuse you, they are so
far, at least, useful; and do not fear they will
lead your generous spirit into any neglect of high
err duties, or to any intolerance of others; nor
are my remarks pointed particularly at your
mode of faith. repeat, that | have all my life
avoided all knotty and disputed points Of religion
| argue with nobody about the trinity Or unity of
the Godhead; the mysteries of free knowledge
and free will; or the profound doctrine Of the
atonement by the death of Christ. read moth
ing about them-I affirm or deny nothing-I
know nothing. profess not to understand
them; and know that mubh wiser and stronger
men have come to no understanding about them
after centuries of learned and intolerant dispu-
tation, in which rivers of blood, well as of ink,
have flowed in support of this savage and unchris-
tan warfare.
mix not in such strife but am content to dis
scharge, as well as can, the duties which provi-
dence has assigned me, according to the clear
and undisputed LIGHT he has piyen me- | consi-