The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-06-03

raysteries far beyond the fsthon Of human
intellect, and which they find It impossible
,cexplsin TO any plain and unsophIsticated
mind-a clear proof that they do not under |
stand il themselves.
The life of man was intended 10 be en- |
ployed in useful and active pursuits-in the
fulhment Of duties requiring the practice
af hs,morsl and physical energies and tai
en,s-snd not to be employed IN mctaphys-
ioal dispositions which lead to no one prac'
tical or useful result to the individual, his
family, his friends, or soriety. Men who
employ their talents and time in such in
conclusive speculations, become uncom
fortabls to themselves and often uncharIta-
blc to others; they are less arnlable as hus
bands, fathers or masters; and neglect their
social and domestic duties in the indulgence
cf the pride and vanity Of expert polemics.
They mistake new and obscure collection
cfivords for knowledge, and unlntelliglble
phrases for wisdom, & believing they are
displaying the testimonies OF truth, when
they are cniy repeating sentences OF which
they cannot give any possible explanation.
The truths which TIE wise and Just crea'
tor Of man intended to be his guide TO vlr.
tue and happiness, cannot be wrapped up
ia libraries Of folios. accessible but to enc
IA a million: nor to be found only by pore.
ing over thousands of pages ofwhot is mis-
called learned criticism upon Hebrew root
or Greek particle. The precepts of a
good and ace, p,abla life are accessible to
all the hnman race, as the air they breathe
10 COMMON, the srn which shines on them
all alike. and the food and water which re-
fec n thcm.--Ilas God gwen to all men
whaievcr is necessary for the support and
health Of their perishable bodies, and with
held almost from all that which ls lndlspen
sable for their eternal welfare? Ihls Is
the impious canceit otthc few who persuade
themselves that they have tho saving Sc
cret, the immortal panacca!
"Mr. CoHdy Of whom you speak, was
man of distinguished learning in the pro.
fession Of the law, and also OF general
knowledge and scholarship, with most
acute and penetrating mind. lie would
have been at the head Of the bar, with
wealth, reputation, and all the good he
could kave desired; bat about hiteen or
twenty years since, ho became devote"
TO the doctrines Of Swedenborg. From
TINT moment every thing was neglected or
abandoned for these studies; his law books
were laid aside. his clients unattended TO-,
and his days and nights given to Hebrew
bibles. Latin folios, and learned criticisms
and commentaries. lie was SOON involved
i'm the embarrassment OF debt, and after
most miserable existence, died lew
months since Of a broken and morl'hed
spirit. leaving n wife g. children destitute.
And to what did ho sacrifice himself an;
fanily' What discovery has he made
What truth elucdated or established, tha'
is worth one tarlhing TO any body?
"This iondness for plagnlng ourselves
with what we can never unfold, has oeen
part Of our pature in all ages. Childhood
is amused by ridies, aud old ago by nays
tsries In beth cases after guessing again
aud again we arc obliged to "give 1t up
In this, however, they dlilcr--thc solution
OF riddles is within the scope OF human
faculties--not so Of mysteries.
81 have unintentionally run on IN this
course of observation, not TO dlssuade you
from the interest YOU seem to take IN yonr
new doctrines; for if they occupy ana a
muse YOU, they are so far at least useful
and do not fear they will lead your gen
erous spirit into any neglect OF high dute'
or to anv intolerance of others; nor are my
remarks pointed particularly at your mode
of faith repeat that have all my hfC
avoided all kno,,y and disputed points o.
religion. argue with nobody about the
trinity or unity oi the Golhcsd; the myS
tories Of free knowledge and free wlll Of
the profound doctrine of the atonement O
the death Of Christ. read nothing abon
them aililm or deny nothlpr--l know
no,hng. profess not to understand them
aud | know that much wiser IL Strongc
men have come TO no understanding abou
them, after centuries Of learned and intol
eran, disp0taton, in which rivers OF blood
a. we'll as Of ink, have flowed IN suppor
OF this savage and unchrstlan warfare.
mix not in such strife, but am content Z
discharge ~ well as can, tho duties whicl
Providence has assigned me. according L
the clear aud undIsputcd ght Lc has civ
en- noe. I consider religion 10 have moth
iug to do with the conflicts of Theologian'
and tho questions of the schools; they arr
to my mind, the proofs Of the weakness
tho pride, aud the vindic;ivc intolcranc
Of the human heart, when inaamed by II
passions Although have been col
stont and very general reader for MOI
than forty years, have never pcrused or
page Of rnv writer upon my contr0rcH'
question Of yeigioa, not even scrmo
This is literally true, and Om sure ho'
escaped world Of pcrplcXity by IN
course, and lost nothing worth having"