Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-09-17

great cause, by our previous knowledge Of
effects, especially of our own spirits, his
most mysterious creation. When once
we have apprehended this idea, it becomes
to us an absolute truth, as necessary as
that OF space,or any other. |, is not then so
properly demonslrable, as an elementary
truth, involved indeed in every proposition,
at least in every one which expresses a
fact, and lmparlng TO them all their mean
ing and force, while it derives neither from
them. The teachings of the Scriptures in
this, coinclIe win tie conclusions Of the
highest rea> On, and partake of their abso-
lutte verify.
Yet, alter all that that can be said in the
way of reasoning, it must never be forgot
ten, that truly effective belief of the
Christian religion, is an essentially moral
conviction, inwrought upon the soul by lis
own spiritual experience. lie has not yet
oversteppcd the Threshold of the temple
of heavenly science, who has still to learn,
that spiritual truth must be spiritually dis
cerned : that the heart, no less than the
head, hath its eye; that not only to appro-
pirate, but to understand it, even, we must
first love. The m raj affections are doubt
less subject to their own law, yet within its
scope, they are free as the rowing cialnIess
air; and so this faith must be spoE taneous
aud chosen, for It's of the heart. Though
1t often arises in every heart, it does not
force itself upon any. The great law of
duty, unchanged, and spiritual, ever above
US, and ever binding upon US, follows us
with its unavailable clam, through every
mo Obligation of our being. like the flaming
sword which turned every way guarding
the entrance to Paradise yet we may
close our eyes upon its Intolerable bright
ness, and turn away from it to the drearl-
ness OF our own chosen circuit. A fash
from that light may sometimes reach US in
our sad wauderings, but, without our own
will, 1t shall not restore us. Still, let not the
searcher IA ter di inc truth imagine that this
faith though it be moral election, can be !
created by mere will. Oien it groweth
upon us like the morning light, SO dun and
feeble 10 lis early coming, that the sense
hardly takes notice of its approach.or Won
ders whence and whercurei it comes at all ;
more and more it swe Is, and stretches it.
self abroad, and gilds every mountain top,
and passes down into the deep sunken val
leys, till. flung back from every radi-
ant point, rock and river, lake, and
leaf, 1t gains an intenser radiance from
its very re1ertien. 1t is an untold
ing apprehension Of the eternal and eter-
naIly diver ing dscordancy Of holiness and
sin, sense of personal sn'ulness, growing
up to the tulI pressure Of ~ upon the
heart. Win this comes the klI need of
religion not originating in. ttS-yntiments,
or fashioned ter the models dAlhis world |
bringinj principles simpler and furer,. and
hopes higher and holler. When the ava
kened soul gives itself up. in perfect trust
in the revelations of IFS own consciousness,
to the contemplation of hopes and princi.
pies thus disclosed, and rests 10 the rule and
model testified to by its inner and higher
being, and knows that to realize them IS not
of its cwn might, bat from above. the dis
cipline is begun; the region of fire that far
abound encircles the eternal throne, is en-.
Tered. The law hath entered the soul, and
though the law is the minister Of death, it
S death which preredes life. Then,when
he soul ungirds itself of its own strength,
and finds power desc lending to meet its
aspirations, and breathing strength upon
hem. is given an appreciation cfthe sur
passing worth and beauty of holiness, and
sense of sin hated and loathed, which
lie the first buildings of spiritual and eter-
nal life, and hope reaches upward, and
aith becomes communicating peace
July on the divine word, and goes on to its
,erfect work. --Kaickerbocker.
TIE Rev. Mr.. HAzARp will preach in
his place on to-morroWat II O'clock.