Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-01-01

The conduct of the Jews may be con-
sldered rs solitary fact in the history of
the world, net from its 5eing an exception
TO the general principles of human ma
ture, but from its being an exhibition of
human nature Ia singular circumstances
We have no experience TO guide us in our
opinion as to the probability of his con-
duct; and nothing, therefore, that can
Impeach testimony which all experience
IN human affairs leads US to repose in as
unquestonable. But after this testimony
is admitted, we may submit to be enlieht-
coed bv it; and in the history which it
gives us of the unbelieving Jews, 1t furn-
ishes curious fact as to the power of
prejudice upon the human mind, and
valuable accession TO what we before
knew of the principles of our nature. Ii
lays before US an exhibition of the human
mind in situation altogether unexampl-
ed, and furnishes us with the result Of
singular experiment, if we may so call it,
in the history of the species We offer
It as an interesting fact to the moral and
intellectual philosopher, that a previous
attachment may sway the mind even
against the impression Of miracle; and
those who believe not in the historical ey-
ldence which established the Authority of
| Christ and of the apostles, would not be.
lie7e even though one rose from the dead.
We are inclined to think, that The argu-
ment has come down to US in the best pos
sible form, and that it would have been
enleebled by that very circumstance,
which The in6del demands as essential to
its validity. Suppose for a moment that
we could give him what he wants. that all
the priests and people Of Judea were 50
borne down by the RESTLESS evidence Of
miracles. as by one universal consent 10
become the disciples Of the new religion.
what Interpretation might have been Civ
en- to this unanimous movement in favor
OF Christianity! A very unfavorable
one, we apprehend. to the authenticity o.
Its evidences. Will the in6del say, tina,
ne has higher respect for the credibiIi-
ty of those miracles which ushered in
the dIspensation Of Moses, because they
were exhibited in the face of a whole peo
J pie, and gained their unexpected submiss.
ION to the laws and the ritual Of Judaism
ms new revolution would have receiv
ed the same explanation. We would
have heard of its being sanctioned b,
ItEfir prophecies, of its being agreeable te
their prejudices. of its being supported bv
the counteuance md encouragement o.
their priesthood, and that the iuggerv Of
its miracles imposed upon all. because all
were willing to be deceived by them. -
The actual form in which the history has
come down, presents US with an argument
free Of all these exceptions. We. in the
first instance, behold a number OF prose
! iytes, whose testimony to the facts OF
! Christianity is approved of by what they
lost and suffered in the maintenance of
their faith; and We, in the second instance,
Del hold a number of enemies, eager, VIC +.
liant, and exasperatud at the progress OF
the new religion, who have notqneslion-
ed the authenticity of our histories. and
whose silence, as to the puhlicand wide
ly talked of miracles of Christand his
apostles, we have right to interpret into
he most triumphant Of all testimonies.
The same process of reasoning is ap
plicabe to the case of the Gentiles. Ma
ny adopted the new religion, and many
rejected it. We may no: be sure, il we
can give an adequate explanation of the
conduct OF The Latter OF the supposition
that the evidences are true; but we are
perfectly sure, that we can give no ade-
quate explanation of the conduct of the
former. on the supposltioh that the EVIL
drnces are false For any thing we know,
It IS possible that the one party may have
adhered TO their former prejudices. in or
position to all the force and urgency off
argument, which even an authentic mira |
Gle Carries along with it. But we know
that II Is not possible that the other pary
should renomnce these prriudices, aud /,
that too in the face Of danger and perse.
cutlon, unless the miracles had been an |
thentIc. So great is the d ference be. |
tween the strength of the argument and
the strength of the objection, that we
count ii fortunate for the merits of The |
cause, that the conversions to Christian
ty were partial. We, in this way, secure
all the support which is derived flom the
'nexplIcable TACT of the silence of its enc
mics. inexp!lcable on every supposi,ion,
but the undeniabe evidence and certainty /
OF The miracles. Had the Roman empire
made unanimous movement, 10 the new |
religion, and all the authorities of the
state lent their concurrence 10 ii, there |
would have been suspicion annexed to
the whole history Of The Gospel, which I
cannot at present apply to il; and from
the collision of the oppps.te parties. the |
truth has come down to Us in far more
unquesrionablc form than if no such COL
llsion had been excited.
To be concluded.