The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-04-18
Moral and Religious.
TILE MORAL LA w.


An American lawyer, of emnence and ability, but
an infdeI and notoriousy proano, meeting legal ac
ouaintanoe who was n decided Christian, told him
that he had to the determination of examining
the evidences oftbc Christian religion, and asked
him what books on the subject lie would advise him
to read sRcad,'' said his friend, 'he Bible."-
"What the very book Of which wish to ascertain
the truth 20 "To DO sure,'' said his friend, 'his is
what YOU would do in every other case, why not in
this Read the Bible itself; study it attentlvely;
make Yourself acquainted with the subject in contro
versy Ascertain the amount Of evidence of divine
original contained in the Bible itself, it will then he
time to think Of consulting other books! The adj
vice seemed perfectly reasonable; ''but where would
you advise to begin with the New Testament
suppose' ''No, at the beginning; begin at Genesis
and go through with it,
An intimation from his physician that disease he
had upon him must within very few years put an
ond TO his life, had, it seems engaged him to make
this enquiry, and had the effect in leading HIM to act
upon the good advice no had received.
Ills Christian friend called upon him not long after,
and found him pacing tho floor of his room, with a
countenance that betoke intense interest in some
important matter asked the subject of his thoughts
al have been reading" he replied, 'the MORAL
Law" s'Wel, and what do you think ofit'" 'I
will tell you,' he replied, "what used to think.
used to think that Moses the leader OF horde of
barbarinns or bandu; and that, having strong
mind, he had acquired extraordinary influence
superstous people, and succeeded in impressing up
on them the idea that he was possessed Of superna-
ural powers But what think you now,'' inquired
his friend 81 have been looking he replied into the
4 H.. hoo ,hoth
er can add any thing to tor take any thing from it.,
so as to make better Sir, cannot. it s perfect"
He then proceeded briefly to analyze, and remark
upon each Comman dment in order; showing the per
feet reasonabencss, and the comprehensive character
orthem all He was,as lawyer, particularly struck
with the classification OF in aries to ghbors,
there exhibited ''They are divided" said he, into
offences against le chastity, property and character
notice too that the greatest offence in each class is
expressly forbidden. Thus the great injury to life is
murder; to chastity and adultery; to property theft;
to character, perjury. Now the greater offence in
eludes, Of course, the less Of the kind. Muir
der must include every injury to lie; adultery every
injury to purity; and of the rest. And the moral
code is closed and perfected by command forbid
ding every improper desire in regard to ghbor
Now have been thinking, where did Moses get that
law have read history-the Egyptians and other
neghborirg nations idolaters; the
Greeks and Romans; and The wsest and best Of the
Greeks and Romans never gave code of morals like
his Where did Moses get this law which surpasses
the wisdom and philosophy of tho most enlightened
ages! He lived at period comparatively ba burous,
but he has given a law in which the learning and
gacity Of all subsequent times detect flaw
Where did he get iii He could not have scared so
far above his age as have devised it himself am
satisfied where he obtained tit must have come
from heaven. I convinced Of the truth Of the re-
lgion Of the Bibe.''
Such was the issue OF careful and exact nvesti-
CATION Of the Divine Record, by one whose occupa-
ton as lawyer, had, when his mind was applied to
other subjects, produced habits Of thought which emf
neny qualified him for such inquiry this AS
least his heart, released from his thraldom
under sin, allowed him to make it.