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

ny upon the application of PRINCIPLES that
are altogether beyond The range of obser-
vaiion, and as doubtful and imperfect in
tuelt nature, as is our experience of Ia.
counseis OF heaven In the first argu.
heht tnere is no assumption. We are
competent TO Judge Of the behavior ~
uian IN given circumstances This is a
subject completely accessible to obserra-
ZION. The second argument is founded
upon assumption entirely. We are nor
competent to Judge of the conduct of The
Almighty IN given circumstances. Here
we are precluded. by the nature of the
subject, from the benefit of observation.
There is no antecedent experience 10 guide
or TO enlighten US. Ii is not right for
man to assumeswhat is right or proper.
or natural for the Almighty to do. il is
not IN the mere spirit OF piety that we say
so; it is in the spirit of the soundest er.
detrimental philosophy. The argument
OF The Christian is precisely what the
maxims of Lord Bacon would dispose us
to acquiesce in. The argument of the in.
hdel is precisely that argument which the
same maxims would dispose US to reject:
and when put by the side of the Christian
largument, 1t appears as crude and as nm
philosophical as do the ingenious specu-
lations of the schoolmen, when set in on.
position to the rigor, and evidence. and
precision, which reign in every depart
ment of modern science
The application Of Lord Bacon's phi-
losophy TO the study of external nature
was happy epoch in the history of phys
icai science. 1t is not long since this an
pllcation has been extended 10 the study of
moral and Intellectual phenomens. All
that we contend for is. that our subject
should have the benefit of the same an.
| plication add we count it hard while, in
every other department of inquiry. a re-
\ spect for truth is found sufficient to re-
press the appetite for system-buiding, that
, theology, the Hottest and most inaccessible
OF all the sciences, should sill remain IN
fected with spirit so exploded, and so
unphilosophical and that The fancy. and
theory, and unsupported speculation. so
current among the Deists and demi-in6-
dels Of the day, should be held paramount
to the authority of facts, which have come
down to US with weight of evidence and
testimony, that is quite unexampled in the
history OF ancient times.
what is science, but record of observ-
ed phenomena, grouped together accord.
ing to certain points of resemblance. which
have been suggested by an actual auen-
| ton TO the phenomena themselves? We
never think of questioning the exis,ence
of the phenomena, after we have demon
strated the genuineuess and authenticity
oil the record. Alter this is demonstrated.
the singular or unexpected nature of the
! phenomena is not suffered 10 weaken their
lcredibllity,-a credibility which can onIv
be destroyed by the authority of on. own
| personal observation, or some OF her record
possessed Of equal or superior pretensions.
But in none of the induclive sciences is it
In the power of student to verify every
thing by his own personal observation.-
He must put up with the observations of
others, brought home to the convictions
of his own mind by creditable testimony.
In the science of geology, this is eminent
ly the case. In science of such extent,
our principles mus; be in part founded
! upon the observations.of others, transmits.
ted to US from distant country. And in
science, the processes of which are so
heightened IN point of time. our princi-
pies should also in part be founded on the
observations of others, transmitted 10 as
from remote antiquity ANY observa-
tons OF our own are SO limited, both in
point of space and of time, that we never
tank of opposing their authority to the
evidence which is laid before US. Our
whole attention is directed to the vaEditv
OF the record and the moment. that this
validity Is established. we hold il incum-
bent upon US TO submit our minds TO the
entire and unmodified impression ofthe
testimony contained in it. Now. all that
we ask is, that the same process of invest.
lgatlon be observed in theology, which is
held to be so sound and so legitimate in
other sciences. In science of such ex-
tent, as 10 embrace the wide domain of
moral and intelligent nature, we feel the
llttleness of that range TO which our own
personal observations are confined We
shall be glad, not merely of the informa-
ton transmitted TO Us from a distant coun-
try, but of the authentic information trans
mltted to US by any other order Of beings,
IN some distant and unknown part of the
creation. In science. too, which has for
| lis object the heightened processes of the
divine administration, we should like, if
any record of past times could enable rs
to extend our observations beyond the
limits of our own ephemeral experience;
aud if there are any events oil fofmer age
possessed of such peculiar and decisive
character, as would help US to some salts
factory conclusion in this greatest and most
Interesting of the sciences.
il On subject so much above US and be-
\ rnnd rs we would never think Of nnnns