Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-02-28

Men now ask for living witnesses, to
be pointed to something which they can
sec and feel is a proof Of the truth ofthe
Gospel. They have not the patience to
follow Lardner, nor even to examine
the shorter, but equally convincing, work
of Paley. They want their own spiritu-
al natures revealed 10 them, to be made
to perceive and to feel the grandeur of
the human soul, its august powers, its
deep wants, and its yearnings after n high-
er good than earth can give. That which
does this, will soonest bring them to the
cross, and make them lovers of Jesus,
and worshippers of God.
Ofthis, DR. Charming seems to have
been well aware. He has surpassed all
other writer's with whom am acquainted,
in revealing the unbeliever to himself,
and in making him feel he has lofty and
deaihless nature. lie wakes up the
higher and holier principles of the soul;
he cams the passions, conciliates the al-
feclions, and prepares the understanding
to decide correctly. Here is his chief
power, and to me his chief excellence, las
a defender of christianity. All that any
one needs TO become a firm believer in
the Gospel, is to read himself, to read
the law OF his own heart. lie who per-
suades the unbeliever to do this, will be
the most successful in removing his un-
belief.
The first Discourse in this volume, is
deserving the attention of all unbeliev-
ers. The Introductory remaks are bold,
but liberal, just, conciliating The an
swers to objections usually urged against
revelation, are happy, and conclusive
The argument deduced from the deep
wants of the soul, is Of itself enough. 1t
was the consciousness of this want, this
thirst for something had not, for some
thing earth could not give, that led me
to the Gospel; and the conviction that
the Gospel could satisfy this want, led to
the conviction of its truth.
The historical, or external evidence, is
clearly set forth, with far less of exag-
geration than usual This kind of evil
1ence is better to guard the believer,
han to convince the unbelievcr. The
argument drawn from the origin of Chris
ianity, is not the one best adapted to un-
believers. There are good Christians
who believe the Gospel is no new reve-
alton, but the republication of that which
IoD made by his spirit to the sages and
,atriarchs old. The objections to mir
,cles are clearly obviated, and leave
me nothing to wish, but that it had been
proved that miracles are proof of the
doctrines Of Christianity. The argu-
nents from the character Of Jesus, and
rom the reasonableness Of Christianity
ire full of power, and wish every un-
believer would examine them. After
III, the fee, the lofty, the benevolent
pirit which pervades all the Discourses,
Will do more than all the facts and rea-
onings in the book to make men Chris
ians. l know from experience that
cepticsm is not incurable. l do there
ore anxiously entreat the sceptical to
ead these Discourses. l can recon- t
lend them to unbelievers, if not as Who'll 4
: able to convince them, at least as able {
awaken train Of reflection which will
nd in conviction. | know many unbe-
evers weep for their want of faith. -
Let them read these Discourses, and
ley will find them able to sweeten the
,mper, to calm the passions, to give en-
rgy to the mind, and health to the whole
oui." o. A. B. l..