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

them viewing the object through the me-
dunn Of his own pfrjudces, or cherish
ing those peculiar habits oil attention and /
understanding. 10 which taste or inclina-
lion had disposed him.
In addition TO all this, We know, that |
slough The evidence for particular truth |
be so glaring that it forces itself upon
the understanding, and all the sophistry of |
passion and interest cannot Withstand il
vet if this truth be Of very painful and
humliating kind, the obstinacy of man
will often dispose him to resist its influ.
ence. and. in the bitterness Of his nalig.
naut ieelings, to carry hostility against
il, and that TOO in proportion TO the weight
Of the argument which may be brought
forward in its favor.
Now, il we take into account the invet.
.eracy of the Jewish prejudices, and reflect
how unpalatable and how morifyng to
Rheir pride must have been the doctrine of
a crucI6ed Savior; we believe tha, their
conduct, in reference to Christianity and
ats Miraculous evidences, presents us with
nothing anomalous or inexplicable, and
that It will appear possible and a likely
talng to every understanding, that has
been much cultivated in the experience of
human affiirs, in the nature of mind. and
IN the science OF its character and phe
nomena.
There is difficulty. however, in the
way OF this investigation. From the ma
ture Of the case, it bears no resemblance
TO any thing else, that has either been re-
corded IN history, or has come within the
range OF our own personal observation.
There IS no other example of peope
called upon to renounce the darling faith
and principles Of their country, and that
upon the authority Of miracles exhibited
before them. All the experience we
have about The operation of prejudice, and
the peryerseness of the human temper
and understanding, cannot afford a COM
plete solution Of the question. In manv
respects, II is case SUI generis, and the
only creditable information which we can
obtain to enlighten us IN this inquiry, is
through the medium of that very iestimo-
ny upon which the difficulty in que s,ion
has thrown the suspicion that we want to
get rid Of
Let US give all the weight to this argu-
mcns OF which it is susceptible, and the
following is the precise degree in which
u affects the merits Of the controversy.
When the religion of Jesus was proinul.
gated in Judes, its first telchers appealed
TO miracles wrought by themselves in the
face of day, as the evidence of their being
commissioned by God. Many adopted
the new religion upon this appeal, and
many rejected it. An argument in favor
of Christianity is derived from the conduct
Of the first An objection against Christ
ianIty is derived from the conduct of the
second. Now, allowing that we are not
in possession Of experience enough for
estimating. in absolute terms, the strength
ofthe objection, we propose the following
as solid and unexceptionabe principle,
upon which 10 estimate a comparison be-
tween the strength of the objection and
the strength of the argument. We are !
sure that the first would not have embrac. !
ed Christianity had it's miracles been |
false; but we dre not sure beforehand |
whether the second would have rejected
THIS religion on the supposiion of the
miracles being true. Ii experience does
not enlighten US as to how far the exhibi.
ton OF real miracle would be effectuaI
IN ln1ucing men TO renounce their old and
iavorlte opinions, we can infer nothing
decisive from the conduct of those who
still kept by the Jewish religion This
conduct was matter of uncertainty. AMI
any argument which may be extracted
from 1t cannot be depended upon. But
the case is widely different with that par.
~ OF their nation who were converted
from Judaism to Christianity. We know
that the alleged miracles OF Christianity
were perfectly open to examination. We
nre sure, from our experience of human
nature, thft IN a q1estion so interesting,
this examination would be given. We
know, from the very nature of The mi.
raculous facts. so remote from every
thing like what would be attempted by
jugglery. or pretended to BY enthusiasm,
that 1t this examination were given, it
would fix the truth or falsehool of the
miracles. The truth of these miracles,
then, for any thing we know, may be con-
sis.ent with the conduct Of the Jewish par
ty; but lhe fllsehoo1 OF these miracles,
from all that we do know of human na-
tnre, IS not consistent with the conduct of
the Christian party. Granting that we
are not sure whether miracle would
force the Jewish nation TO renounce their
opinions, all that we can say of the con-
duct OF the Jewish party is, that we are
not able to explain it, Blu, there is one
thing that we are sure of. We are sure.
that il the prelensions of Christianity be
false, il never could have forced any part
of the Jewish nation to renounce their
opinions, with its alleged miracles. so op.
en to detection, and its doctrines so of1ens-
sv,. A., avar., ;nd;v;duaI The conduct Of