Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-02-06
From the Family Visitor.
CHRISTIAN MORALITY.

The influence Of The gospels 20 establish
pure morality.
A single glance at the New Testament
satisfies US that so far as commands and
prcccps AMI perfect example arc con-
ccrncd, it is not deficient in the preaching OF
sound morals. II is crowded with maSims
g. ex;lorlatlons Of this nature. 1t has par
,cular moral precerts on almost every
page: preccp!s adapcd to. various condl-
ions and relations in life, and it gives US
brood comprehensive direction, embracing
the whole field Of good morals; a clue in
every p"rplexi;y; solution of every ques.
on--'.Whalsocver ye would that men
should do unto you, do We even so TO them"
no one who knows what tie gospel is,
needs evidence that the whole influence Of
is precepts is in favor Of practical moral
excellence. On this point, it is its own
witness So far as the Joint influence Of
example and precepi is concerned, 1t could
not be more decided in its efforts for the
establishing of d moraliiy-not theoretical
simply, but practical. And moreover, in
this matter 1t is not advisory, bu, imperative.
1t insists upon the practice of its prcccp's.
1t requires i; with the highest authority
Again we are all aware how The gospel
assaiIs, with the mos, determined hostility,
all those passions Of human nature and all
those m1xims Of human policy which give
rise TO immHloral deeds and immoral hab.
its. And thus it seeks to drain the fountain
Of moral evil. 1t seeks 10 roo: out those prin-
ciples from the.heart of which immoraIties
Eie prt ducts. And has til influence.
AMI so far us II has this influence, so far it
is at wok for the suppression Of immoral
deeds, and that TOO in The most eli, c'ual
way. 1t is not only pruning tic surcrnu-
mcrary shoo:s Of the trees of wickcdaess
i, is not only seeking to blast its odo;s
blossoms and 10 lop otfas outermos, branch
cs, but i! lays the axe at It's root.
Bu. this is net al. The gospel is net
merely preventive. Is innuercc is posi-
tive and productive. 1t insis's upon tie
suppression ofvisible wrong between man
and man not only so, bu! It calls for the
observance ofrght between man and man !;
and not only so, but, beyond all, Ii insists
upon the ahop ion ofpHnciplss produtitrc Of
right. l; seeks 10 lay foundation for vir.
luous practice. That foundation is faith.
1t requires Of all the exercise Of faith !;
Christian failh-1uing faith. This faith is
4 supreme prnciple-a right principlc-
a holy principlr. Itis the conindig Of the
soul entirely inlo the hands ofits Rcdcemcr.
This reliance is based upon the discovery
ofsupreme excellence in that Redecmer :;
and This discovery (havlng such viv;dness
as 10 excite iaith) must simultaneously cx.
Gle lorc--suprcme love. Fai h, then, be.
ing as she s,.thc twin sister Of lovc--and
each being the dependence of each--here is
the very foundation ofgood works. When
faith resides in the soul, it is side by side
and hand in hand with love, and there
spreading abroad their sweet and heavenly
influence; checking the passions ola fallen
nature softening its asperities, and excit.
ing its action; they become the handspring
and the balance ofthe inner man, and move
him on gently and delightfully."- in the paths
of practical, holy, habitual obedience, so
That faith instead Of stun,ing the growth Of
morality, instead Of checking tho develop.
n!en oi obedience. instead Of making void