Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-02-07
From The Southern Christian Herald.
On THE CATECHISM.

70 aDDrG. lcn SO lleuT lo dllSStS, uS io oS Jul
a l,tle lower than they. Oar excellent
catechism defines the chief end of mans
creation to be, ",o glorify God, and enjoy
him forever"
l. To enable him TO do this, God hath
given to man, corresponding powers. All
creation, the earth and seas, and heavenly
bodies. rocks, hills, and dalcs, with all that
move on the face of earth or traverse the
paths Of the great deep. proclaim that the
hand that made them was clothed with om'
Innocence. All these, passlvely. and IN
s,inctivcly proclaim their Makers glory
To angels and men, it was alone reserved to
speak and act forth their Makers praise.
TO slorifv him-to make him glorious IN
the view of all other rational beings, who
should hear or see them-and to enjoy HIM
forever. The making God glorious, and
enjoying him, a,e inseparably joined.
No ekld, according to the constitution
of nature or grace-or, | would rather say
Gods moral government, Can truly honor
or glorify his parent, without enjoying him.
that is. taking the creates, delight in his
honor and happiness. To honor God, and
enjoy him forever, was the great design Of
hts creation, and the end man ought ever
to keep in view and most scduIousIy
follow.
Let US therefore consider briefly, lst the
chief end of man, and 2dly how ii is per-
veried.
lst. The chief ond ofman.
His very nature, even in its fallen cor
rupted state, proves the design Of his crea-
ton an exalted one. What powers he pos
sesses. To the eye, man is feeble thing.
fle walks erect, blooming in health and
strength. and beauty of form; and yet,
within the compass cf an hour-a short
hour-he fades, and wilhers, and dies.
The changing wind, the smallest insect,
the nexious vapour by day or by night,
brings prostration and death. He, who
but q moment before directed and control
cd thousands Of contending legions, COM
manded the acaked ear of the listening 70.
rum, attracted the eye or molstened the
Gace of fond affection, lies still in death.
Swifter than weaver's shuttle man passcth
away. GAS a flower of the field he grow
9th up in the morning, and at evening is cut
down and withercth." And yet, what
being is man. In q moment, swifler than
the light of heaven, he passes through space,
ascends from creation to the Creator-trom
earth to heaven-lrom time to eternity.
Contemplates the present, recalls the past,
glides swiftly down into the future. In
moment, as it were, individuals, families,
kingdoms and nations, with all their ac-
compartments, pass in review before the
magic lantern Of his mind.
To glorify him-God hath placed man
in condition, and so surrounded him with
circumstances us to render him entirely
guilty, in the neglect of his duty. Although
corrupted and depraved by sin, in all his
faculties, mind, Will, and affections are still
bestowed on our nature; mind, sufficient to
know our relations and our duty; and will,
To yield to the impulse that the affections
may give to il; and not only so, but God
hath revealed 10 US (as We shal! prove here
alier) the fact, that he so loved tho world,
as that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever bslievcth on him, mightnot per.
ish. but have everlasting life" He teaches
us alsn,that he gives the Holy Spirit to them
tha. ask him, 10 guide their minds, and SUBJ
due their wills, and sanctify their hearts.
So that all men are without excuse, for not
answering the great end of their Creator.
But
2dly. How this end is perverted.
]. Men live as if there were no God on
whom they were dependent, and to whom
they were accountable. They plan and
scheme and execute, as if born to live for
themselves alone. To build up their honor
and wealth, and the honor and wealth of
their families, cngr osses all their thoughts
and time and efforts. They regard every
thing as depending upon their skill and pru.
dence and industry. A governing Prov,-
dencc, a God, Being on whom they arc
dependent for success, and whose name
and government they are bound to glorify,
never enters their minds. In truth, they
are real practical Atheists, and live and act
as If there were no God.
2. Men cultivate their intellect and i'm.
prove their persons, and improve and cul.
tiuate the persons and intellects Of their
children after them, as if'this world were
their only and eternal habitation, and the
qualification of their senses, for a few years
only, the great end of an undying being.
Hence music. and dancing, and painting, a
knowledge Of Language and the arts aud
sciences, are esteemed all and IN all, whilst
religion, which teaches us how we may
"gIorify God and enjoy him forever" is
regarded (even by some of the professed
followers of Christi as matter of minor
moment, fit only for the aged, and the cham
Der Of the sick and dying. Alas, bow aw.
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