Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-03-11

f''NOu' DuL suppose lIcSc impressions
to be excluded, that the whole NAV be re
duced 10 matter of abstract and unfeel
ing intelligence The question under
consideration is, How far the experience
OF man can lead him 10 any certain con-
cluslons, as to tht. character of the divine
administration fit does lead him to some
certain conclusions, then in the spirit OF
The Baconian philosophy, he will apply
these conclusions TO the information de-
rived from other sources; and they will
OF course affect, or destroy, or confirm
the credlbility of that information. II. on
the other hand, it appears that experience
gives no light, no direction on the SUBJ
Ject, then, in the very same spirit, he will
submit his mind as blank surface to all
the positive information which comes to
It from any other quarter. We take our
lesson as It comes to Us, provided we are
satisfied beforehand, that it comes from
source which is authentic. We set IN
no Prescriptions of our own against the
authority of the unquestionable evidence
mat we have met with, and reject all the
suggestions which our defective expert
ence can furnish, as the follies of a rash
and fanciful speculation.
Now, let it be observed, that the great
strength of the Christian argument lies
in the historical evidence for the truth of
the Gospel narrative In discussing the
light OF this evidence, we walk by the
light of experience. We assign the de-
gree OF weight that is due TO the testimo-
ny oil the first Christians upon the observ-
ed principles of human nature We do
not step beyond the cautious procedure of
Lord Bacon's philosophy. We keep
within the safe and certain limits of exper.
mental truth. We believe the testimony
OF the apostles, because, from what we
know OF the human character, it is impos-
sible that men In their circumstances
could have persevered as they did in the
assertion of falsehood; it is impossible
that they could have imposed this false.
Food upon such multitude of followers
1t is impossible tina: they could have es-
capped detection, surrounded as thew were
by host of enemies, So eager and deter
mined In their resentments. On this kind
OF argument we are quite at home. There
Is no theory, no assumption. We feel
every inch ofthe ground we are treadine
upon. The degree of credit that should
be,annexed to the testimony of the apos-
ties, is altogether question of experience.
Every principle which we apply towards
the decision of this question is founded
upon materials which lie before US, and
are every day within the reach of obser-
WALTON. Our belief in the testimony Of
the apostles, is founded upon our expert
ence OF human nature and human affairs.
In the whole process of the inquiry, we
never wander from that sure, though hum
BILE path, which has been pointed out to
US by the great master of philosophisng
We never cast of the authority of those
maxlms which have been found in every
other department acknowledge to be sound
and lnfdllble. We never suffer assump-
ton to take the presidency Of observation,
or abandon that safe and certain mode of
investigation, which is the only one suit
ed to the real mediocrity Of our powers.
1t appears to US, that the disciples OF
the lnfidel philosophy have reversed this
process. They take loftier flight. You
seldom find them upon the ground of the
historical evidence. 1t is not in general,
upon the weight. or the nature of human
testimony, that they venture 20 pronounce
on the credibilitv of the Christian revela-
ton. It is on the character of that reve-
latlon itself. Il is on what they conceive
to be the absurdity of its doctrines. 1t is
because they see something in the nature
or dispensation of Christianity. whi:h they
think disparaging to the attributes of God,
and not agreeable TO that line of proceed
ing which the Almighty should observe
IN the government of his creatures
Rousseau expresses his astonishment at
the strength of the historical testimony !;
so strong, that the inventor of the narra-
tive appeared to him to be more miracu-
lous than the hero. But the absurdities
of this said revelation are sufficient in his
mind to bear down the whole weight of
lis direct and external evidences. There
was something in the doctrines of The
New Testamen. rcpulsive to the taste and
the Imagination, and perhaps even to the
convictions OF this interesting enthusiast.
He could not reconcile them with his.p
established conceptions of the divine char
actcr AMI mode of operation. To submit
to these doctrines, he beloved 10 surren-
der that atheism, which the powers of his
ardent mind had wrought up into most
beautiful and delicious speculation. Such
sacrifice was not TO be made. 1t was
too painful. 1t would have taken away
from him. what every mind of genius and
sensibility esteems to be the highest of all
luxuries. 1t would destroy system,
which had all that is fair and magnificent
to recommend it, and mar the graceful
ness of that fine intellectual picture, on
which this wonderful man had bestowed
all the embellishments If EaaI;no-- o,od e.