Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-02-23
IMPORTANCE OF \ BELIEF IN TIE MINOR
TALlTN OF THE Soul.


- sNroi OF tic u,nos, importance that should be
~ convinced OF ms immortal destiny, and have his mind
~ Impressed with the realities Of future world-hat he
VI should slcerain whether DEATH he is be reduced
m forever the situation tho cods Of the val
" ley, transported to expansive sphee Of cS
II isience Take away from the prospect of i'm
mortality, and YOU throw veil OF darkness and mystic
~ over all the of creation you reduce the
III al world a Of confusion, and involve the way
IL Of providence IN dark, inex,ricabc maze; you
II wrap the character of Deity in awful obscu-y, and
IA terminate every prospect of becoming fully
~ quain,ed with the nagnhccnce of the universe YOU
IA reduce to engma-lo the most lnexplicablc
phenomenon in creation, and annhilac the strongest
I'D motives 10 the practice OF virtue.
Fl The sad effects of disbelief in the Immortality of
the soul has frequently been realized in the Of
Y men Of cultivated minds who. in consequence of this
disbelief have thrown of the restraints of religion
Of when they approach the confines of tho tomb The fol-
loving examples may suffice. Noltairo Ithe eminent
tn ndde writer when approaching dissolution, looked
back upon protraced years with romorso and forward
with dismay, he wished for annihaion, through the
dread of something lie attempted to unburden
N his troubled mind 10y conlessing TO priest and he
N placed his hopes OF peace with heaven in an eager
conformity those rituals which he necessarily treat
ed with contempt. In a previous sickness he insisted
monsrances Of his friends aud attendants. On recov-
cry, he was ashamed of his conduct and ridculed his
own pusianmity This pusanmity, however, re-
turned upon a relapse; and he had again recourse to
M the miserable remedy. lie acknowledged 10 Dr. Tron-
III chm bis physician, the agonics of his mind and
'E osty onicaed him procure for his pcrusa tIea-
III tse written against the eternity Of future pAishmeni.
ia These facts were communicated to DR.. Cogan by a
IL gentleman highly respected in the philosophical world,
M who received them directly from Dr.. rronchn; and
n they with many Others in demonstrating the
ri 'mPossibHy OF enjoying permanent felicity without
~ de hopes and consultations of religion NJ Sechees,
20 whose narravc lately referred, relates that, in one
ofhis with Button the Count declared, 81
hope to live two three years longer TO indulge my
haoi, OF working in literary avocaons. | am not a
(aid of death, and consoed by the thought that my
name will never die feel myself fully recompensed
iot all my abOrs bY the attcring letters have receiv
ed from the most exalted personages, aud by the res
81 Peot which Europe has paid to my talents Suci
M the consultations which this philosopher enJoyoc
I'D ia the prospect Of the extinction Of his being His
Ia would llre when he himself forever bloteC
E that creation which the object OF his
Nruncs to describe But tina, his mind not alto
Veher rccooced to the idea Of sinking into eternal oh
Ayon, may be inferred from another anecdote related
by The same gentleman "Onc evening read 10 lIuf
ifh NE verses OF hoUliS on TIE immortality OF H'
soul lie smiled, Par dea says he religion ,rOah
he raluahe glf 4 all THIS rsre true" Th, remar
evidently implied, iha' the system he had adopted va
calculated 10 present cheerful prospect Of fuu
iiy ss the system Of revelation.
Gbbon, the celebrated historian of the Rise and Fai
OF ,ho Roman Empre, had his mind early unc'ured vii
III u.e principles Of iadlo'y and hts historical writing
distinguished liz soyefs. ,asiluous attacks on Chns
II taaty uy unfair and unu,auy sncers at the religion
hs country and by the loose aud dtse.poc,fu name
"a wich Dee mentions many pnais of morality regardc
as impoulp'. eyer-ea ihe principles Of natural re.il
ira. Such appears 20 have been hs eageruess ga hi
cause. ,hai Dee STOPPED 10 the most desp'cabe pun,
o. ne most awkward peUer,ion of language, for Il.
Purpose 81 turn,0s ,he Scripture nio uoaldry, OF cal
t's Jesus an mIo,tof. Ne, be appear, 10 have bee
ac'-a'e4 les 'he span, Of hypocrisy which d.,tg
eu'sAea Bottom all h.s philosophical associates 60
Notwithstanding has aversion 20 Christianity, hc wou.
Ga'e o.i ao 'sraile n accepting Office u the ctarr
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