The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-29

MISCELLA NEOUS.
From The Southern Rose.
JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE.


If, in the midst of the ignorance, uncer-
tanty, and perplcxty, into which man is natu-
rally and conlessedly born, there is person TO
whom he can apply for information and assis-
lance on every point connected with his moral
conduct and general happiness-if he can
learn from the person the true end Of his own
being, the true path Of duty, the exact balance
of the passions, the precise line to be drawn
between self-love and seif-sacrfce il he can
be shown the certain method by which he can
best adorn and dignity his life, maintain all his
powers and faculties in theirutmost perfection
and most appropriate exercisc-if he can pre-
serve the rare secret of preserving in his breast
a calm and perpetual peace, sweet and tran.
quill enjoyment, which might mock the iairest,
clearest, brightest sky-if he can learn from
the same source the most infallible methods of
procuring the felicity of others, and securing
the everlasting and inestimable appreciation of
the Giver OF his existence, is it too much for
the person from whom all these results and
blessings may be derived, to call himself the
Bread Of Life? Yet such is Jesus Christ in
the gospel which he has published 10 mankind.
Jesus, moreover, properly styles himself
the bread Of life, in consequence of the sim
plIciiy, universally, and necessity of his gos-
pei. You will perceive the wonderful pro-
prety Of our Saviour's figure Of speech, if you
contemplate his religion in these different
points Of view. Its simplicity. 1t is adapted
in all its essential qualities to every capacity.
He that runs may read. Its plain commands,
its clear doctrines, its evident spirit, its per-
ceptible instructions, if duly attended to by
the mind, and received into the heart will be
quite sufficient to nourish every living and i'm
mortal soul, and ripen it for eternal happiness.
And in this respect the gospel resembles that
bread which furnishes support for every living
being. So too its universally presents US
with another prominent and impressive point
OF resemblance. 1t is fitted for every age OF
the world, for every nation and individual Of
mankind, for every change offashon, for every
difference Of circumstance, for every state Of
life, for every rank, for every degree, for every
want, moral, spiritual, or natural. 1t mounts
to the king on his throne-it descends to- the
beggar in his hovel. 1t has its touching appli-
cations to the lisping infant; it presents its
mighty sanctions to active age, and it lends its
gentle prop TO decaying years. 1t affords JOY
to the yiruous--t enlorces repentance on the
sinner. 1t enjons the duties which are APP
propriutc to every relation and sphere of life.
Purent, child, husband, wife, ruler, subject,
brother, sister, friend, neighbor, man, where is
the being with n moral sense, with con-
scence,with capacity for virtue, with feel
ing Of fee agency, for whom the gospel con-
tains not means Of Improvement. and mex
haus;ble treasures Of undying, neyer-iaillns
hope In addition to its universally, the ne
cessity Of the gospel furnishes a new illus
tration Of cur Saviour's being the bread OF
life. The world could not have done without
tho religion of Christ. Civilization might
have been retarded and crushed. great mo-
ral death would have paralyzed mankind. But
now the leaven has been cast into the mass by
the hand Of Jesus. He has met the spiritual
wants Of ALL Was instruction required He
has amply impaired il. Was forgiveness
wantcdl lie has richly offered it. Was
perfect example Of conduct and spirit wanted
Ii shone in the Son Of God. Did infrmlty
weigh man down to the groundl The gospel
had whercwithal to raise him up, 10
strengthen and support him. Did despair ga
Their lis thousand horrid clouds around his sonll
The gospel alone could sweep them quite
away by tho sunshine Of hope. Did death
apparently annihiiate the value Of existence
Behold here too the gospel slept in, and filled
up this necessity by the glad prospect Of eter-
nal life. Thus, since this religion has sup.
Piled every moral and spiritual want Of man.
wei might he who gave il to us, style himself
the bread OF llle.
Du. the mention Of eternal life suggests
The last general illustration OF this expressive
phrase. Since Jesus knew, in his own mind,