The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-10-03

RELIGION.
Religion is subject with which every
human being is connected, and in which
he is decplv interested. While it regards
in no small degree his temporal welfare, it
has reference moro Immediately and spe-
cihcally to that which is eternal. ltis by
religion he can look for pardon, peace,
and happiness, obtained by sacrifice
which speaketh better things than that OF
Abel, even the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
tho righteous. Il is from religion he is 10
obtain much to smooth his path through
the wilderness Of this world,-by means
of this, his disponding fears may be al
layed; his spiritual desires enlivened; and
his ransomed soul elevated to God.
It is obvious. however, on even cur.
sorry review of the religious part of man
kind, that TWO kinds of religion, distin-
guished by their difference of situation'
have obtained among them. shall, no
doubt, be anticipated as referring to that
which has its seat in the head only, and
that which holds place in the heart.-
These are OF such nature that they
should be concomitant in their progress
and operations; though nothing is more
common than to see them disunited, and
speculative religion, or that of the head
usurping the place Of the experimental
The cause of this Gissevcration is, per-
haps, not very deeply concealed. Men,
in general, aware of the truth of religion.
give it, as far as external circumstances
are concerned, a favorable reception
They profess TO obey its authority and die
ta,es, to acknowledge its excellency and
advantages, and to be under lis influences
and control. But they form TO themselves
mistaken notions on the subject of that
branch which is pure and undelilcd: they
build on an unsafe foundation; they con-
ceive that.if they unite in acceding to the
importance and authority of religion, and
attend to some Of its outward and (if such
an expression be proper on such suIjecl)
least momcntous particulars, they have
fulfilled its acquisitions. They behold the
object, but do dot desire TO possess it.
They are in error as to the very essence
of religion: they stumble at the very thrcs'
hold; and. like Chorazn and Bethsaida,
will come into greater condemnation;
since, sinking with the light of "the glo-
rious gospel Of the blessed God" shining
resplendently around them, they refuse to
lie cheered by its vital and vivifying in
duences.
The difference then, which exists be-
tween speculative and experimental, re-
ligion must certainly be great. While
the specula.ist and the Journalist may 60
on day after day, to the appearance of
theif fellow-men, walking according TO
the truths Of religion, they are destitute
Of that inward witness which attests that
it is not cunninglv-devised fable, or a
specious and fallacious imposition, which
tle wisdom of GoI has devised. The !,
carnal nature cxerts its powerful sway in
their various actions; and though the first
appearance may deceive, closer attention
will manifest that they still lack "the one
thing needful." Even that man who may
descant upon the blessings and privileges
of Christianity; who may illustrate ii by
his exposilions, and who may wade very
far into the laybyrinths of speculative
truth, may be as far from the kingdom of
heaven as the east is from the west. The
publicans and harlots, the vilcst Of the
vile, transformed by renewing grace, will
enter with joy apd gladness into the man.
sions of eternal felicity, while the learned
sinner, with an unsofened heart, will
lift up his fiery eyes in the lake that burns
for ever and ever.
The experimentaHst is in certain and
happy stSte; lie has embraced the gospel