The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-04-24
RELIGIOUS Continued.

""i'" ph<SsS, Nns~u 'so"" ~'- 49,
ty, wheait becomes the governing prInci-
pie of anation. In this paper, shall ad-
ducc several powerful arguments from the
light Of nature, to prove the doctrines OF
that Immortality, which is so clearly
brought to view in the Bible. Since the
political and social tendency ofthe system
advocated by Tom Paine and Fanny
Wright, is known from lacts, to be so dire
iul, charity induces me to believe, that
none who arc honestly inclined to believe
it, will persist, IL it can be made to appear
that the great and leading truths OF the
scriptures, arc fully coroberatcd by rca-
son and nature.
F'irst-thc very dispositions Of the soul
prove it immortal. 1t is ever sending
forth the strong desire after something,
which it docs not possess and joined to
thirst for knowledge is a capacity for treas
uring it up to an unlimited extent. No
life ever can be sufficiently protracted to
enable the soul to receive its full measure
Of intelligence.
An inference then plainly deducible is,
that the period is cndlcss, which the great
Creator designed for the excrtion-- --of those
stupcndous capacities, possessed by the
soul of man. Let us for moment no
tice few of its surprising faculties. Let
US view it in the most perfect state attain
able in this life, and sec if it is the: sated
and willing to sink into tl:o darkness Of
oblivion, Nothing like this. The most
elevated genius after receiving allthe aid
of Books and reflection, feels straitened
and confined in itsclf-chained down to a
little spot, while it contemolates an un-
bounded scene Of objects, and operations
lar beyond the limits of mortality s. sense.
At this moment, all is restlessncss I; the
thoughtsj run forward into cternity-a
longing " to be clothed upon" with the
subtle capacities off disencumbered spir-
it, drinks up the whole current Of feeling.
is it reasonable then, or can it be suppos-
ed that a soul fire d with such desires after
knowledge, and contemplating "the wide
the unbounded prospect before" should
at that moment be put on the point Of an
inhalation f? This supposition will be ad-
miitcd by no man ofscnse it would
be doing the highest inj"ri';e to the be-
nevolent designs of u wise Creator.
Inthe second place, history informs us,
that bcliefin the undying nature Of the
thinking part was general among the an
clients. And very large majority OF
them held to the scripture doctrine, ofre-
wards and punishments. It is true their
ideas on these subjects were frequently
imperfect and obscure but this proves
nothing against the fact which they 60 to
confirm. They had imperfect and absurd
ideas concerning the nature and attributes
of the Crcator--their ideas concerning
happiness were false, being founded more
on sense than intellect, and hence it is
fair to suppose their thoughts on the sub
ject of Immortality, would be in many par
ticulars erroneous. Still, to whatever
source we trace the general impression
en- this subject. Whether to Divine il
Illumination on the mind, or to tradition
from one generation to another,it forms
strong argument in favor of the position ]
am supporting. The universal belief in
the existence of a supreme being, has been
received by deists as q powerful argu-
mcnt In favor Of the doctrine, and so
should the general belief Of future state
be received as strong evidence in favor of
its truth. 1t is plain, therefore, that the
doctrine Of Immortality, and the existence
of the Supreme Being, Ist on one and
the same basis-destroy tho former and
the latter falls.
The innate consciousness Of right and
wrong, felt in the mind of man, and that
secret dread Of accountability common to
all, is another and strong proof, that af-