The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-18

its abode, producing all those holy affections
and virtuous actions, of which it as natur-
ally becomes the parent as effect succeeds
cause, is Christian in the Scriptural sense
of the term.
What is obligation2 "Obligation," says
Crabb, "signifes the bond or necessity
which lies in the thing" Admitting, as
presume will be done by all, the correctness
of this definition, ] may remark that Chris
tan obligation = signifies the bond or ne
cessity which lies in the thing p Chris
tianity- that is, the duties imposed by it as
a system of revealed religion.
Il may be proper, also, here to remark
that an important principle, and, indeed, a
striking peculiarly of Christianity, is its
Negative as well as its positive bearings !;
by which ! simply mean to say, that where
its precepts require the performance Of any
given course Of conduct, whatever may be
Of an opposite tendency thereto, is, by i'm
plication, interdicted.
Il is the duty, not to say the interest, of
Of every Christian to understand, to the ut
most Of his ability, the nature and extent Of
his religious obligations. Of the manner or
means by which this understanding is to be
obtained, shall not now speak. The read
er may be reminded, that il is impossible to
become an intelligent, practical Christian,
without knowledge Of the privileges it
offers, and the exactions it makes. He who
aspires to no higher attainments and no ho-
lier enjoyments than such as mere form Of
godliness, or a profession Of faith in Christ,
can impart will scarcely take the pains to
make himself acquainted with the nature
and extent Of Christian obligation. Indeed,
it may be readily imagined that he will
rather avoid than acome to the light Of
Divine truth, lest his deeds should be re-
proved" But he who aspires to the high
attainment and holy enjoyment Of COM
munion with God, and Of fellowship with
his Son, Jesus Christ seeks to k,aoD, in or
der that he may be intelligently prepared to
do the will Of God. Such, therefore, sscome
to the light that their deeds may be made
manifest that they are wrought in God.''
To what extent Christian obligation in
wolves responsibility it is not for men to de-
termine, either for themselves or one anoth-
ser They are too short sighted to perceive
this great subject in all its bearings, and are
too liable to the influence of unworthy mo-
tves for the adjustment Of its claims. God,
whose only right it was; God, who only is
competent to decide, has placed this power
where it cannot be abused, and where it
rightfully belongs. "The Father hath com
mitted all judgment to the Son." And
wherefore' "That all men should honor
the Son, even as they honor the Father"
Nor are we left in uncertainty as to the
principles by which the Judge of "quick
and dead ? is to be governed in the irrevo-
cable decisions Of /" the great day'' "He
will Judge the world in righteousness" jus
tice, as the word righteousness in this pass
age evidently imports, in its application to
social and general relations, as well as per-
sonal identity; taking cognizance of g the
things done in the body" and determining
the rewards and punishment of ALL accord
ing to that we have done, whether good or
bad.n
In the foregoing remarks, ! have only
sought to bring to view some of those prin-
ciples which owe their existence to Chris
tianity; principles, the influence of which
are deemed of vast importance to the WE'LL
being of society. And if the subject has
not been misconceiyed, the following infer
ences appear to be deducible therefrom:
!. # Christianity originated in the eter-
nal and unchanging love Of God, it must
have partaken of the nature of the source
from whence it emanated, and, therefore, is
the same immutable principle, imposing all
thoseS obligations which grow out of the
law Of love.