Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-10-11

aim, could make falschood ITS own ground of
action |; that to teach the multitude truth was
essential (and there could be no virtue with.
ont ii) il was necessary for the teachers
themselves to be living lies. How could
Your clear head and upright heart embrace
or hold by such sophls,ry for moment after
your judgment became n,aturcd2'
II. 'You must recoleci, my dear Manly,
that told you it was but recently that my
thoughts had been drawn to the SUBJECT
Nor, when you consider what are the effects
of early impressions, and still more VIVA. the
lives of many protesting Christians are, can
1 you be surprised, if, absorbed in literary
pursuits and youthful amnscmenis, needed
not what | had been taught to believe a ne.
cessary drlusion. You are the first practical
commentary Of Chris,aniiy-its doctrines
have ever been associated wtll-and my
mind has been arrested. But the subject, II
once seriously entered upon as a matter OF
investigation, is far too important for has,y
decision. If such mind and such charac-
ter as my dear fathers is avcrse from your
doctrines, it must be a long and painful ex.
animation that could lead me to adopt them.
NJ. Believe me, should be the last to
nndcrvaluc either the moral or intellectual
qualities with which Sir William is so highly
endowed, or to say one word to lessen the
respect and affection You owe to him but
you mus, remember that the more excellen,
qualities Of an individual character can have
nothing to do with the abstract question of
principles and doctrine. 1t would be easy
TO bring forward hundreds Of illustrious ex-
amples if the truth Of Christianity could thus
be proved but this is not the way to exam
inc into the truth or f,llacy of system which
Processes to involve the welfare of all man
kind, not o"lv for time, but eternity. You
are, however assuretllv right in saving it is a
subject which demands deep and earnest in
vestiga'ion; all desire is, to lead YOU to
this; and | conjurc you, by every motive
which can most powerfully influence ii mind
like yours, to enter nj once into an exam
nation of what is of such prc-enrincnt i'm
portnncc.'
II. Il am not unwilling; but I think i,
would be better to defer it ,Il my health is
restored, and all my powers, mental and bod
lily, in their fall force
! Manly changed countenancc so visiblv at
this remark. that Henry could not fail to
notice il. He said, 'Why do YOU appear so
much agilated. dear Manly ? Surely it is
better to examine such "A subject with all the
advantages renewed strength can give; "A
short delay will be no loss Of time
~ Can we say if that period will ever
arrive? Are You sure--nay, have you IA
right to reckon on Il perfect restoration, nav,
even long duration Of the time still given
you?'
His voice tremblcd with emotion as he
spoke, and Henry, surprised and struck al
his agitation, who was usually so tranquil
and calm, asked, after pause, if he had any
reason, beyond the common uncertainty of
life, for utterng those douhis2
Manly replied, in low but impressive
tone, Il have. think it right you should
know the truth; DR.. Il--,hinks very
donb'inlly of your recovery
For few moments young D. was
overcome. Manly covered his face with his
hands as he leaned forward on the table
before him, and breathed an earnest humble
prayer for his friend. Henry soon recover
ed his self possession and said, Il thank you,
Manly, for telling me this it is better to
know the truth, be it what it may. | have
indeed no time for delay Then pausing,
added: My father, my dear father, whose
life is wrapped up in mine, what will become
of him p
Manly could say nothing he could but
grasp the hand llay lay extended by him in
fervent sympathy. What could he say of
comfort 10 those who h;s4 no 'sure and certain
hope beyond this word2
! A ftar eh,rt ,sr,., LA, knc
and then begged to be left alone. 'To-mor-
row. he said, I'VE will speak further on this
matter; let ME have this evening for re1ec-
tlon.'
On the following morning, Manly found
him pale and languid, but with his mind per-
feclly composed and tranquil. From that
time the momentous subject of religion was
one of constant, rather of daily discussion !;
for Manly was careful not to weary him IN
mind or body. Truth dawned, and gradu-
ally shed her light over mind open to re-
cpssiblu to all pure and holy aspirations, and
a heart unhardened by vicious habits. Day
by day was the light growing unto the per-
feet day. He had written to his father, de.
sirour of breaking to him GENT the possibil.
ity of that calamity which he dreamed not Of
The hint. however cautiously given, was suf-
hcient to bring Sir William down Immediate
". But he was unable to discern the mis-
chief tina, was lurking and spreading like a
cankcr at the root of that beautiful blossom (:
and Henry had not the heart to crush the
hope that he chung to. Sir William fancied
that his dear Henry IVES nervous, from retire.
ment and confinement, and would gladly have
remained TO cheer and rouse him; in truth his
presence had excited and aroused him so
that to those unaccustomed to the mutations
of that disease, he would appear better
But engagement in which the welfare of the
many was at stake, prevented his stay, and
detained him from returning ill summer had
shed her elorics around this lovely spot and
Henry had rallied with the genial season,
more than his medical attendants had believ-
ed possible. His father hailed the change
with rapture, and Henry Thought no, himself
deceived) could not embitter those few re-
| b,,l Al. l.