Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-04-25
From the COnnecticLt Observer.
INFIDELITY.

From The COnnecticLt Observer.
INFIDELITY.
| The following serious difficulties are stated for
the solution of the deniers Of Divine Revelaton.-
by an OLD MAN.
lst. If the Bible be not true, wha:
proof can be adduccd of future and
endless state of existence: Can deists
with all their boasted reason and philos-
ophy, give more satisfactory account
of this subject, than the ancient heathcn
savagcs have Conc? Doubtless, infdels
in general, have been informed of the
monstrously absurd notions, which such
as have been trained up in pagan dark
ness have advanced, respecting the fu-
ture condition of men after death. Have
the disbelievers of Divine Revelation,
been able to assign more happy place
Of abode for the virtuous in the NEXT
state, thnn the Elysiam fields, or a sensual
paradise? Or more fearful place for
the vicious, than Tartarus or Pi,do's dark
domains?
ed. Upon the grounds Of infidel phi
losophy, it may be asked, what shadow
Of proof can be given of the resurrection
of the bodies of men? Set aside the
Bible, and who will, on safe ground, de-
ny the blasphcmous assertion made, some
years since, by the Athcistcal Conven-
ton of France, that " death is an eternal
sleep! Infdels may be required to pro-
ducc some other evidence than the sa-
cred volume, that there will be rcsur-
cfi hot art thn 81 81
And it may be demanded of them upon
their principles, to prove that men have
any pre-cminence at their death above
the beasts, whose spirits, Solomon in
forms us, go downward or become extinct
when they die.
Sd. Set aside Divine Revelation, and
what evidence can be brought from the
light Of nature, that.there will be day of
final retribution? On this ground, the
deeds of the most virtuous must pass TN
rewarded, and those of the most profit
gate, will 60 unpunished On this hy-
pothesis, no tribunal will ever be found
TO render to every man according as his
work shall be, whether it hath been good
or eril.
4th. How impossible does it appear
upon the principles of infidel philosophy,
to reconcile the wisdom, the goodness,
and faithfulness of God, in creating this
world, and all creatures and things there
in, and bringing about the vast revolu-
tions of nature, for thousands of years
successfully. Upon the suppositon that
the Bible is false, no higher end can be
answered, than for the Great Creator to
provide an ample theatre, on which, for
depraved and selfish creatures to riot for
short space, and then die like the beasts
that perish! What blasphemous re-
Election does it cast upon the only wise
God, to suppose that he made the sun
and moon, and all the other luminaries
which belong TO this system, to afford
light and vigor to impious men, that they
may be aided in the commission of their
frauds, thefts, robberies, murders and
sorceries, and every other species of a
domination, to which they are naturally
inclined, and yet in the end, permit them
to come off with impunity!
9TH. lfthe Christian Religion fail, in
fdels may be requested to substitute
remedy 10 reclaim men from their evil
courses, or to cure the vitiated disorders
Of their depraved minds; or to direct
them to way of pardon for their nume-
rous offences. Itis presumed, that those
who belong to the above class, will ac-
knowledge that many atrocious deeds
are committed by great proportion of
people, and that the peace and happi-
ness Of society are oft times greatly in
terrupted, by the pride, the avarce and
conflicting passions and lusts of men,
1t may, therefore, be demanded of the
deDiers of Christianity, that they pre-
scribe some other cnectual remedy for
these deadly evils.
Lastly.-It may be asked whether the
infdel scheme does not leave men in to-
al darkness, in regard TO the following
interesting points, ,viz:-Whcther on their
principles, the fearful evils and disorders
which are the consequence of the apos-
tacy Of man, can be so counteracted or
overruled, even by Divine wisdom and
bcnevolcncc, as to prevent the utter ruin
Of tho universal And setting aside the
work Of Redemption by Jesus Christ,
whether the works Of the devil can ever
la IoogrnynI IL Al. r II