Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-03-17
RELIGIOUS INDIFFERENCE

Indifference:
There is too much reason TO believe that
the indifference TO religion which so gene
rally prevails, especially among those who
are raised little above the vulgar throng,
and the unhalewed propensities and vicious
practices to which it gives rse-are owing,
| IN considerable degree, to the want Of a
tud conrictioH Of the reality Of future exis
tence. or to some doubts, which hover about
the mind, in relation to this important point.
There is no man, however insensible TO the
obligations of religion, that can fully satisfy
his swn mind or the minds Of others, that
the idea Of a future world is a mere chime
ra On the contrary, the possibility, and e.
ven the probability, OF the truth Of mans
eternal destiny, will, at certain seasons, force
themselves upon the minds even Of the most
careless and profane. Yet, it is amazing TO
consider with what case and indifference
mutitudes ofthis description can Glide down
the stream of tine under the awful uncer
talnty whether it will land them in the shades
oil humiliation, the realms of bliss, or the
regions OF eternal NO
Between us and these three periods or
states, says celebrated French writer, no
barrier is nterposed but life, the most brittle
thing in oil nature; and the happiness ei hea-
ven being certainly not designed fer those
who doubt whether they have an immortal
part to enjoy it, such persons have noihins
left but the miserable chance Of annihilation,
or OF heli.--Ihere is not any reflection which
can have more reality than this, as there is
none which has greater terror.
Let us set the brayest face on ouf condi
ton, and play the heroes as arfully as We
can, vet sec here the issue which attends the
ldrai Il e I'M fnp
to turn aside their thoughts from this eterni-
ty which awaits them, as If they were able
10 destroy it BY denying it place in their
Imagination 1t subsists in spite Of them; it
advances nnobserved, and death, which is
to draw the curtain from it, will, in a short
time, infalIibly reduce them TO a dreadful
necessity OF being forever nothing, or forever
miserable.
To treat subject, so interesting and mo-
mentsus. with levity or indifference, TO exert
all the energies of the soul in the pursuit oil
objects which few years at mostwlll snatch
forever from their embrace, and never to
spend one serious hour in rejecting on what
may possibly succeed the present scene OF
existence, or in endeavoring to find some
light te clear mp the doubts that may hang
over this important inquiry, and to treat with
derision and scorn those who would direct
them in this serious Investigation is not on
iy foolish and preposterous, bat the height eI
inlatuation and madness. 1t is contrary to
every principle on which reasonable man act,
in relation to the affairs of the present world.
To retain thu profit OF a lucrative business,
or to prevent the loss Of fortune, or Of home;
man will sometimes strain every nerve,
stretch every faculty, deprive himself of
sleep, submit to numerous prvatlons, en-
counter the raging elements, and brave the
dangers of the ocean. Nay, he will often
be overwhelmed with dependency at the
slightest inconveniencies, and will pass whole
weeks and months in stiffness and chsgrn,
for an imaginary affroDt, or fer loss OF
few pounds, while at the same time he re-
mains perfectly Indifferent, and without the
least emotion, in regard 10 the unknown
scene Of the eternal world, and the danger
ct endless misery TO which he is exposed
Such conduct, and such dispositions are
obviously inconsistent with the dictates OF
prudence and comraon sense, and with eve-
ry thing that ought to characterize rational
and accountable creature.
When we look back into the meyplerable
abyss Of that eternity which is already past;
when we look forward to the immessGraelc
extent and unfathonabe depths of eternity
to come-when we will behold Time. and all
its cirelng years, appearing only like point
on the surface of that vast and boundless o
Fcean; when we consider the immense spaces
of the universe, with which we are sarroun-
ded, and the innumerable worlds which lie
dispersed in every directian, Throughout the
unreasonable tracts OF creation; when we
consider, that our existence, as thinking be-
ings, may run parallel with intermnable a.
ges; and that, in the revolutions Of eternity,
we may exist in regions efspace immeasura-
bly, distant from our present habita'isn, as
ssciate with other orders of intelligent belRgs,
and pass through new scenes ahd changes
IN distant worlds, and when VIC consider that
our relation to time may be dissolved, and
our connexion with eternity commence with
the space of few months or years, or even
before the sun shall have described another
circuit around the earth-no enquiry can aP-
pear so meAentous and interesting, as that
which leads to the determination Of our flu
lure and eternal destiny, and of those reali.
ties which await US beyond the tomb. To
remain insensible to the imp ortanee of such
an inquiry, and unaffected at the prospect
Of such a result to which ii may lead, while
| we are feeling alive to all the paltry concerns
aud little ills of life-would argue the most
|unaecountable stupiditys inconsistency and
linlatuatien.
The man whose heart pants after substan-
| tial knowledge and falicity, whose affections
centre on the author of his existence, and
who delights to contemplate his character s.
Inc xxtII anfar xvi{h ,,Iaae,,.o On o,a