Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-11-14

Each middle nature joined to each extreme
To that above it joined to that beneath,
Parts into parts reciprocaly shot, :
Abhor divorce. What love of union reigns.
You've.
i Eternal principles of the Define Lao.
I The principle that the substance of all
moral virtue is loce, being adnit.ed the
way is prepared for contemplating others.
The second Of these eternal principles
may be stated as follows:
TIE objects Of tooe must 6eregGrded &C.
eording to their knoaon proportionote
CdLue.
This is legitimate inference from the
nature of love itself. This we described
as a regard for individual being consider
ed as capable of happiness OF misery, and
for universal being considered as an ag-
gregate Of individual interests. Why are
we communicate exercise love at all! It
is because of The worth ofthe objects to be
loved The degree of love ought there
fore to correspond with the known degree
Of value-of capacity for happiness and
misery. 1t is the natural exercise of that
love which seeks the happiness of its OBJ
jects, to regard the different degrees of ca
, pacity which those objects may possess
for the enjoyment Of happiness AS the
whole is greater than a part; and as the
i, greater is to be estimated more than the
less, SO is the interest of the created uni
verse to be regarded more than that OF any
. portion, and the interest of its infinite Gre
!, ator, more than that Of the finite creation
the same rule the interests of two indi
! viduals Of equal value, are to be estimated
). above either, alone; and the interests Q
s one individual capable of twice as muc|
!. happiness or woe as another, to be esti
=, mated in the same proportion. The lax
n of benevolence would forbid US to seek tn
i pain of a brute animal-but what are al
ia the nlyriads Of the brute creation compa1
n. ed with one immortal spirit 1t is this hio
r mutual possession of immortal moral M
+ ture, which gives an aspect of such inf
mite consequence to the feelings and cor
"a duct of the members of this august brott
er erhood, respecting each other. 49, s
70 AS it is the nature of henevolence to r,
he gard the welfare of beings, for its ow
On sake that regard must by the necessity
an its own nature, become proportionate
% The gradatons of value which come witt
10 in the range Of its knowledge.
he The law of food therefore, NAV be COZ
%. (silered as based upon this as upon one
for its perpetual principles. 1t is benevolenc
it real and impartial becoming at once
H. limitably expansive and capable OF prefe
re, fences, rising above all minor, and all pa
ver tial considerations. We here present
csc great enduring principle OF the law itse
led If it is said that this cannot be safe ru
mel of action, because our knowledge of t
EN- comparative value of interests is so impt
ods feet, we answer that we mean it not as
ow independent rule of action, but as fune
zeal mental principle ofthe rule itself-that
such. it is provided, as we shall hereaf
oci- more largely show, with explicit co
mands regulating its exercise; that
brings at once before US the dignity a
glory of the Creator above all creatur,
|, and demolishes by its necessary beari
every plea OF inordinate self-love; :
gives to each individual his relative 81
!. ton, as an heir of universal benevoler
It is proper, further, to remark, ;ha
lee. establishing this as permanent princi
,om- of his moral government, Jehovah
in We but transcribed his own character, VIII
hose by his own infinite love is exercised
- connection with his own infinite kno
st edge of all interests. 1t is that feature
|; and his character where the infinite full
eyond Of his love gathers itself, in preparatio