, 1840-06-13
MfSrcUauf0us.
From the Lady's Book for April.
THE
BY THE HON. ALEXANDER EVERETT.

BY THE HON. ALEXANDER EVERETT.
OF all the subjects that can be presented
10. the contemplation of the people at large,
Religion is one in which they take the deep
est interest. OfaIl the occupations in which
they can be engaged, religious exercises are
those which habitually produce in their minds
the strongest excitement. If it were the
object of a lawgiver, independently OF any
other consideration OF expediency and duty,
merely to provide the people with the means
of agreeable occupation and amusement for
aday of rest, he could rot do it so well, if at
all, in any other way, as by instructing Them
to devote il TO religion.
Religion reveals to us the secret OF our
higher and better nature, lifts us above the
common offices of daily life. into communion
with the sublime Spirit, whose word created
and whose incomprehensib!e essence lntuscs
and ~sustains the universe. 1t teaches US
that we are not, as the base theories OF a de-
testahle sophistry would Us. merely
a different order Of the same race OF beings,
with the bruteS that surround US. destined
like them to pass an ephemeral life. and then
sink into nothing, hut that we possess within
us the germ of a heavenly nature, for which
death is only the opening OF a new form OF
exist ,nce. and which will develops lis facui-
ties hereafter through countless ages OF hap
piness or misery, accordingly as the cppor-
tunities for improvement afforded here have
been improved or neglected.
Religion expands the intellect ty familiar.
izing us with the most Interesting questions
in the philosophy of morals and mind. II en-
larges the heart by depressing the selfish
and encouraging the social and benevolent
feeling. 1t checks our pride in prosperity
and our depression in adversely, by imPresSlng
upon us the triiling importance OF all our pre-
sent interests when compared 10 those Which
belong to us as candidates for a higher state
OF existence. 1t consoles US under the ago
nv of parting from those we love, by the Ie-
Election that We shall meet again in scenes
of permanent happiness. In a word, 1t
changes the universe from a chaos of confu-
sion and misery. to a grand and beautiful
creation, the fit residence and temple of the
high and holy One. that inhabiteth eternity.
II is not in nature for those who believe
these sublime truths TO hear about them or
think Of them without the strongest excite
ment. What is there in the most absorbing
affairs, the most exquisite entertainments,
that can ever claim in this respect 10 come
into competition with them.
What is there, or example in the table OF
the most highly wrought and beautifully writ,
Ten romance, which can be compared, Tor
deep and absorbing interest, with the splendid
history of creation and redemption, of which
the record is the Bible, the scene, the uni
verse the time e~tenity, God, superior beings
and ours elves the subjects! Who ever COM
planned of not being excited by the proceed
ings in a case at law, in which his property
or life were at issue? In the case which is ar
gued every Sabbath in the courts of God,
there is more at stake than any earthly prop.
erty or mortal life--our share in the inheri
lance of a better world, our happiness or mis-.
cry throughout all eternity.
The highest minds of every age and coun-
try have exhausted the resources OF language
in expressing the delight with which they
habituaIly dwell upon this subject. 81 would
rather" saws Lord Bacon, 'believe all the IA
Hes of the Talmud and the Alcoran than that
this universal frame is without a Mind."-
Schiller in his beautiful hymn to Pleasure,
represents her banner as waving on this sun
bright rock Of Religion: with the monarch
minstrel Of Scripture, the being OF God IS a
motive for general EMULATION and jubilee
sThe Lord ~reigneth: let the earth r%eJoIce.'
He does not consider 1t a iiresome and
gloomy employment oftime to attend public
worship. 81 was glad when they said unto
me, let US go up to the house OF the Lord; my
heart and my flesh cry out for the living
God"
Wilt be said that these are the high as
p~irations Of superior minds, improved by ev-
cry accidental advantage, but that they are
above the comprehension of the mass OF the
people, who can only be excited and amused