The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-07-20

is, what rights are involved, and they are as dear
to his heart if they are his neighbours as if they
are his own. To full examination ofthese rights
he feels sacredly bound. To hearty recognition
Of them his heart is strongly set, Suppose, for
illustration, that the case to be examined is claim
ola poor and suffering stranger. A man whom
he has never seen before kneels before him and
implores his pity. He dares not nor has he any
disposition to turn him away without examining
into his claims. He may, to be sure be an i'm
postor-but he may also be a real object of chart
ty. And he feels an obligation, and a strong de-
sire to know just the truth. Is it not morally GER
tain that such man will hold the case before his
mind till he has data for making right decision?
Let selfish man have the same case pre- scented
to him, His inquiry is not what are the claims
OF the sufferer? what is duty-what is right-but
how will mig interest be affected by it? If not at
ALL be feels indiacrent-if unfavorablc, he feels OPP
posed; and the more unfavoraby the more oppos-
ed Now is it not morally certain that he will
dismiss the subject without sufficient examination
to know the truth
Suppose the case be some question of practical
concern, affecting the PERSONS own spiritual char
acter, ard the reputation of God. Suppose it be
the question Of his obligation to apply to their full
his own heart from sin, and fitting him to be a
witness for God. The benevolent heart feels that
he may not dismiss the subject till he knows what
those provisions are, and fully tests the power of
grace to keep him from sin. He knows that his
own spiritual improvement, his influence as wit
ness for God, and Of course Gods reputation de.
mands this course. He stops not to ask what self
ish pursuits must be abandoned-what lusts cru
cfed-what unholy prejudices subdued, or what
ambitious and wicked hopes relinquished. Any
thing which conflicts with duty he is ready and
anxious to put away. Let the same question come
before a selfish mind. His seIfshness, and lust
in proportion as he is selfish, will make him ask,
not what is duty, but, can ! make the sacrifice?
How differently will these minds dispose of the
same evidence? How certain is it, that in view
of the same proofs they will embrace opposite con-
illusions! Or rather, how certain is it that the
one will examine the proofs and welcome the truth,
while the other refuses to listen, lest he should be
forced to a conclusion against which his will is
strongly set!
Take still farther illustration ofthese two states
of mind. 1t is found in the disposition made of
the miracle wrought by Peter and John, just after
the ascension of our Saviour, and which has been
alluded to before. A lame man was healed under
such circumstances as to evnce a superhuman
agency-.to show the heaven-commissioned errand
of the Apostles. As such it should have been
examined, and its full force admitted. Manifest
ly every honest heart would have inquired; what
truth does the working of the miracle establish
No effort would be made to conceal the miracle,
or evade the truth it was designed and adapted to
teach. Instead of saying, "but that it spread no
further, let us threaten them 1.-THE Apostles not to
speak again in the name of theiI divine Master
they would have been anxious to know more of
these men-taken their place as disciples of these
same despised teachers-and devoted themselves
to the service of their Master. This was the hon
est course, and this course nothing but the want
Of virtuous hearts prevented them from taking
A virtuous heart, then, has much to do with
securing that measure OF attention to moral and
practical subjects, which shall secure a right de-
cision. Who in these days has not been panied
to see his brother voluntarily exclude from his at
tention truths which were of the highest import
ance for him to know? Who has not wept at the
refusal of brother to examine the arguments in
support of important principles of moral action
in closing his eyes and hardening his heart
against the convictions which must have attended
an examination of the subject? Who would not
be panied TO see drowning man push back the
hand stretched out to save him? We could not do
otherwise than pity as we'll as blame him. But
when man rejects those truths which concern
his immortal we'll being-when he voluntarily
excludes the light-when he determinedy push
IS back the hand of Jesus Christ, kindly reached
out to lift him up from the degradation of sin
when he absolutely refuses to receive the full par
Ion and peace of the gospel, how much more
guilty is he than the man who refuses to be saw
ID from watery grave, and how much more
should we pity, even though we might be COM
2elled to blame him.-O6erlim Evangelist.
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