Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-10-16


which engrosses so much respect aud ad.
mlfatlon from the vulgar.
/ II appears 10 US, that The peculiar feel
ing which the sacredness of the subject
gives to the inquirer, is. upon the whole,
unfavorable 10 the impression of the Chris
tan argument. Had the subject not been
sacred, aud had the same testimony been
given TO the facts that are connected with
IT, We are satisfied that the history of Je-
suS IN the New Testament would have
Deem looked upon as the best supported
oy evidence of any history that has come
down TO Us. II would assist US in appre.
eating the evidence for the truth OF the
/ gospel history, if we could conceive for
moment, that Jesus. instead of being the
founder OF new religion, had been mere
the founder OF a new SCHOOL ofphiioso-
Phy, and that the different histories which
nave come down to US had merely repre-.
scented him as an extraordinary person,
VINO had rendered himself nluslrious
among his counlrymen by the wisdom Of
MS sayings, aud the beneicence of his ac-
lions. We venture to say, that had this
been the case, a tenth Part of the testimo-
ny which has actually been given, would
nave oeen enoughto satisfy US. Had it been
aquestIon OF mere erudilIun, where neither
production in favor OF a religion, nor
an antlPathy against it, could have i'm.
pressed bias IN any one direction, the
testimony, both In weight and in Quantity,
would have been looked upon as quite
unexampled In the whole compass of an
Ncient literature
10 form fair estimate of the strength
and decislveness of the Christian areu-
ment we should, if possible, divest our
selves of all reference 10 religion. and
view the truth of the gospel history, pure
y Us Question OF erudilion. If at the
outset o. The investigation we have a pre-
JUDGE against the Christian religion, the
effect is obvious; and without any refine
ment OF explanation, we see at once how
such prejudice must dispose US 10 an
mex Suspicion and distrust 10 the testino-
ny OF the Christian writers. But even
when the prejudice is on the side of Chris
tIanIty, the effect is unfavorable on a mind
that IS al all scrupulous about The recli-
tude of lis opinions. In these circum-
stances. the mind gets suspicious of itself.
II feels prediction, and becomes appre-
henslve lest this prediction may have
disposed 1t to cherish particular concIu-
sion, independently of the evidences bv
which It is supported. Were it a mere
speculative question, in which the inter-
ests oil man, and the attachments of his
heart had no share, he would feel greater
confidence In the result of his investioa-
ton. But 1t is difficult to separate the
moral impressions of piety, aud il is no
less difficult to calculate their precise in
| nuence on the exercises OF the understand
Ing. La the complex sentiment of attach
ment and conviction. which he annexes to
the Christian religion, he finds it difficult
10 say, how much is due to the tendencies
OF the heart, and how much is due 10 the
pure and unmingled influence of argu-
ment. His very anxiety for the truth,
dIsposes him TO overrate the circumstances
which give bias to his understanding.
and through the whole process of The in
quiry. he feels suspicion and an embar.
rassment. which he would not have. feIt,
had 1t been a question of ordinary erudi-
ton.
The same suspicion which he attaches
to himself, he will be ready TO attach to
all whom he conceives to be in similar
circumstances. Now, every author who
writes in defence of Christianity, is SUP.
posed to be Christian; and This, in spite
OF every argument 10 the contrary, has
the actual effect of weakening the impress
sion Of his testimony. This suspicion eff
tects, In more remarkable degree, the
testimony of the first writers on the side
of Christianity. In opposition TO it, you
have no doubt. to alleee the circumstances
under which the testimony was given =
the tone OF sincerity which runs through
the performance of the author; the con-
currence OF other testimonies; the perse-
cutIons which were sustained in adherng
to them. aud which can be accounted for
on no other principle. than the power OF
conscience and conviction and the utter
;linpossibility of imposing a false teslimo-
ny on the world, had they even been dis
posed to do it. Still there is lurking
suspicion. which often survives this
strength of all argument, and which il is
difficult TO get rid OF. even after it has been
demonstrated to be completely unreasona-
bic. He is Christian. He is one of
the party. Am [ an in6del? / persist
in distressing the testimony. Am | a
/ Christian rejoice in the strength of il
bat ihis very JOY becomes matter of sus-
picion to scrupuIous inquirer. He feels
something more than the concurrence of
his belief in the testimony of The writer.-I
He caches the injection of his piety and
/ his moral sentiments. In addition to the
acquiesence of the understanding, there is
con anOre feeling both in himself, and