Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1830-09-06
NIISo@ILAIT z.
Tue BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM.
By Dr.. CHAsEisG.

Df DEs ' HAahiab'
Tn. benefit of free institutions "a clear and
unutietshly precious. Their ohirf behfht
is. that they aid freedom Of MUD, that ihey
give scope 10 mans facnl'res. that they thro"
him on his own resoprces. and summon him
to work nut his own happiness. J. IS, NAL
by removing restraint from worship they favor
the ascent o the soul 10 God. II Is. that, by
removing restraint from industry. they sur
up inyrnlion aud enter rise 10 explore hnd
snb5ue the material ". rid, and thus rescue
The race from those SORE physical wants and
pains which narrow aud high, the mind. -
II IL, that hey cherish noble sentiments,
frhnknsss, courage and self respect
Free institutions contribute in no small
degree 10 freedom and force ut mind, by teach
iag the essential equality NJ men, and thei
right aud duty to govern tben,elvPs. cannot
bu consider the superiority of an elective
government, ~ consisting very much IN the
testimony which it bears 10 these ennohlnE
truths. IL has often been said. that code
oi laws, aud not the form Of government,
is What determines a peoples happ'ness.--
But good la"s. # not -pungIBg from The
community, II imposed by master, would
lose much of their value. The best code il
that winch has lis origin IN the will oiIbe peo-
pie vino OBEY IT, which whilst IT speaks with
authority, still recognizes self government
IA The primary rirhl aud duly OF a rational be-
iGg aud which thu. sher,shes IN the individual.
be his condition what IL may, II Just sell-re-
speGi
We may learn. that the chief good and
the mnsi precious fruit of civil liberty is
spiritual freedom and power. by considering
what IS the chief evil oftyranny. know That
tyranny does EVIL by invading mems outward
interests, by making properly and life insecure,
by robbIng the lsbourer 10 pamper the noble
aud the king. But MS worst influence is with
10. Its chief curse is that il breaks aud tames
the spirit. sinks man in his own eyes. takes
away vIgor Of thought and action, substitutes
Tor conscience an outward rule, makes him
ableci, co"ardy. a parasite and crlngine
slave.-Ihis is the curse OF tyranny. II wars
with the soul, aud thus il was with God.
We read in lheologlans and poets, Of An
gels fighting against God. of battles in hea
ven But Gods throne is unassallable. The
only war against God is against his image,
against the divine principle IN the soul and
this is waged by tyranny in all its FORMS
We here see the chief curse Of tyranny
and this should teach Us that civil freedom
Is blessing, chiefly as II reverenCes the hu.
man soul, and ministers 10 ITS growth end pow
er.
Nllh"ut ms inward, spiritual freedom,
Onward liberty Is 81 hue worth. What boois,
II tn7n am crushed by no Deeigo yoke, ii
through ieooraner and vice, through sel(ishness
sPd fear, want the command ofmy own mind
ne first itrani5 are those which establish them
selves IN cur own breasts. In. man who wants
i"rce Of principle snd purpose, is slave, how
ever free the air he brraihes. The MUD, affer
all IS our o1ly possession, or IN other word,
We possess all things through rs energy and
rnlarg add evil institutions are 10 be
estimated by the fee aud pure minds to which
they give blrih.