Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-07-17
The One Thing NeedfuI.

II SER.HON dehpered on the occasion Of the Death Of
ASDREw JACKSON, by PHIxEAs d. GuaLEr.
Il is said that that distinguished pauio, and statesman
whose death this day depore when he perceived that
the hour Of his dissolution hand called around
him the members Of his family and ia strain OF pous elo
quence exhorted them fidelity in all their duties,
pressing upon them the a-imporaRt SUBJECT Of Chris
fiaify and expressing the hope that he might
meet them all in heaven This last act gives crowning
glory all his other deeds of greatness In the full vgor
Of early manhood have him the field of battle
and in the face Of death firm and dudaIned in the
cchambers of his country, where the spirit of party
ragged with fearful violence. have Witnessed his rigid
adherence 10 what he considered the pnc pies Of
Republcansm and in the Presidential chair, clothed
with the highest office in the gift of the people, may
have admired the strongly marked character of his admin
traton the holiness which characterized his
and the nvincibe energy with which he sought aud
cured their execution. But highly distinguished he
in the discharge Of his public duties soldier, pa
rot and a statesman, did he appear in a
blime and praise-worhy attitude than when in his last
moments like dying Patriarch indeed, he gathered his
household around him exhort them duty and impress
Upon their minds the value aud importance of the Christ
ian religion The scene has reminded Of the words
addressed by Saviour to one OF his most intimate e
male friends occasion with which every careful
reader Of the New Testament is familiar. martha,
Martha" said he,-"Ihou art careful and troubled about
many things; but one thing is nee3fnL"
GONE THING Is NEEDFUL,"
The words recorded in the 10Th chapter CT the gss
pei by John the AID As they harmonic well
with the spirit Of that last sad interview towhch have Just
referred, will them the foundation of few
marks | have to make on the present occasion.
The one thing here declared 10 be needful with much
emphasis, is clearly distinguished from every interest
merely earthly and must be nothing else than religion
by which the religion Of The Bible consisting of
repentance towards God and faith in Lord Jesus
Christ, with all their legitimate effects upon the heart and
the life. This is needul TO in the highest sense,
whatever his station employment may be- and we won
1oft ntnfe ho ruhn
had himself tested its excellence and experienced its bless
edness urged it with much that domes
tic circle he about to leave to meet more till he
should meet them in the world of spirits.
LIST. Religion is the thing necdfu. because it
stitutes the highest duty and dignity of the immortal
mind. Ii the disease C sin aud raises man almost
to a level with angels Sin a derangnent of all the af-
fections-a prostitution of all the powers Under its
fuence the excellent things abhored-the most
odious things loved True religion reduces this de-
rangemeni order II regulates the powers aud passions
Of the soul and restores them 10 the noble sphere of action
for which they originally designed it.untes- man
God and to his vast aud holy kingdom. II takes him
up from the degradation and misery Of his fallen estate to
be member of the body of Christ, heir Of unfadng
glory Tuning his eye away from objects that perish in
the using, it fixes them upon the infinite and eternal
When under the pressure of earthness and corruption,
he would choose this world his only home and portion
it lays the injunction upon his heart with energy
which forces conviction and obedience "Arise
depsrt for this is your tbecause it is pout-
ed, shall destroy you, even with sore destruction
Arise, depart,
"Sweet voices call thee upward, and announce
Thy splendid destiny"
IT. my hearers that which brings to his most Dig
nifed and glorious of existence be the thing need
ful, then have it in true religion.
I'd. Religion is the thing needful, because II is es
sental to present happiness. Man feels within him the
ardent Iongings of immortal nature. There is rest
essness there; hungenng and hIrstng after something
vet attained; voice crying with ceaseess inportun
", sWho will show any gnod ~ While this uneas
ness pervades the SOUL vain for it TO look 10 the earth
for relief aud satisfaction. Its vantes and shadows can
never fill the void withn-csn never give solid perma
nsnt, satisfying enjoyment Men have tried the expert
meut again aud again. Impeed by the cravings Of an
undying spirit they have gone and travelled 10 and fro
! in the earth seeking and finding none. When one
empty bubble has burst n their hands they have pursued
with undated srdo and when that failed profit
Jog nothing hy past experience, they have allowed new
prospects OF happiness lure them on TO another expert
men which has repeated again and again with nc
less avidy though without Till death found them
still unhappy and put end to their eager but vain pur
suit by LAYING them in the grave Is this sketch Of fan
cy or is il veritabIe description of real life What ID
human life but pursuit after happiness; pursuit broken
frequent intervals by disappointment, but continually
with fresh ambition fresh resolutions and fresh
desires What il but persesering effort TO satisfy OF
calm the warnings Of an immortal nature Yet who
with eye confined to the things Of time and sense eve