Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-05-14
Prov -sststi's Rsiisis~s .Usxssi.s.
WERE DID lie GET THAT LAW


WHERE DID HE GET THAT LAW,
In 4 neat and beautiful city, in one
Of the Northern States, lived lawyer
OF eDinence and talents. do no,
know many particulars Of his moral
character; but he was VIGOROUSLY pro-
fame. He bad a negro boy, ut whom
his neighbors used TO hear him swear
with awful violence. One day this
gentleman met an elder of the Presby.
terian Church. VINO was also a law
yer, and said 10 him: Z" wish, SIR, 10
examine into the Christian religion.
What books would you advise me 10
read on the evidences Of christianity"
The elder, surprised at the enquiry
replied: THAT Is a question. sir, which
you ought TO have settled long ago.
You ought not 10 have put of a subject
so important TO this late period Of life. -
lsH too late. said the inquirer
never knew much about II; but
always supposed that christianity was
rejected BY the great majority Of learn
ed men. | intend. however, now 10
examine the subject thoroughly myself.
l have upon me, as my physician saws.
a mortal disease, under which NAV
1--we year and half or two wears, but
not probably longer. What books, sir.
would you advise me TO read :"
1.-The Bible" said the elder.
II believe YOU do not understand
me, resumed the unbeliever. surprised
IN ms turn; II wish to investigate the
truth of the bible"
IL would advise Won SIR" repeated
the elder, Ito read the bible" And. {"
he continued. al will give NV own
reasons. Most in6dels are very igno-
rant OF the scriptures. Now To reason
on any subject with correctness. We
must understand what tits. about which
we reason. In the next place, | con-
slider the internal evidences of the truth
OF the scriptures stronger than the ex-
ternal."
And where shall begun" injured
the unbelicSer. Z" at the New fiesta
ment;"
NO" said the elder. ga, the begin
ning-at Genesis"
The infidel bought a commentary.
and went home and sat down 10 the
serious study Of the scriptures. He ap-
Piled all has strong and well disciplined
mind to the Bible. 10 try rigidly but i'm
partially its truth. A. he went on in
the perusal, he received occasional calls
from the elder. The infidel freely re-
marked upon what he had read. and
stated his objections. lie liked this
passage, he thought that touching and
beautiful, but he could not credit a
third.
Ono evening the elder called and
found the unbeliever at his house or
Office, walking the room. with detect
ed look, his mind apparently absorbed
IN thought. He continued, not nou-
cling that any one had come in, TO trace
and retrace his steps. The elder at
length spoke" You seem, SIR, TO be
in brown study, of what are YOU
thinking"
81 have been reading The moral
law" replied the infidel.
Well, what do YOU think Of IT."
asked the elder.
Twill tell YOU what used TO think, 3"
answered the infdel. 'lsupposed that
Moses was the leader of horde of
banditti; that having a strong mind, he
acquired great influence over a SUI
Persttious people; and that on Mount
Sinai he played of some Ere works. 10
the amazement of his ignorant follow
ers, who imagined. in their mingled
fear and superstition that the exhibition
was supernatural"
But what do YOU think now - in
terposed the elder.
have been looking" said the in
fidel, =" into the nature Of that law.
have been trying 90 see whether can
add any thing To- IL, OF take any thing
from 1t, 30 a. to make II better. Sir,
| cannot. Its pyJeei.'
The first commandment" cOntIn-
ued he, directs US 90 make the Crea-
tor the object Of our supreme love and
reverence. That is hight. n he be
our Creator, preseryer, and bcneiactor,
we ought to treat him and none Other As
such. The second forbids idolatry.--
That certainly Is night. The third for
bids prolancness. The fourth fixes the
time for religious worship. II there he
God, he ought surely 90 be worshippcd.
II is suitable that there should he an
outward homage, significant Of our ,n-
ward feeling. II God b. worhippcd.
Il Is proper that some time should be-
set apart for that puu,ose. when al may
worship him harmoniousiy and wl,hou,
interruption. One day IN seven GER
tainly Is not to- much. and do moi
know that Il Is too little. The hiih De.
fines the peculiar duties arriving from
family relations. lnjunc, To- our neigh
Dor are then ,i1niGf@ By the moral
law. They are Divided into offences
against b,s, chastity. property, and
character, And. sa.d be-. applying :
legal idea Wilh legal acu.eaess. ~ no
iice that the crcstcs, INJURY 10 liie u
murder. 10 chastity. adultery; 10 proper.
1 A.. fi.H. a. sk.r.rf.. -