The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-08-14
From The Universast Waterman,
Happiness results from VirtuOus
Action.
Know then this truth, (enough for man TO know, ,
Virtue alone is happiness below.-PopE.

Know then this truth, (enough for man TO know,)
Virtue alone is happiness beow.-PoPE.
Beautiful, indeed, is the contemplation
Of the physical laws of nature. Admir-
able is the adaptation of these to the pur-
poses of rational design in the Crea-
ton. Gravitation holding bodies in
place, heat diffused through all nature
preserving 10 substance its form and dl-
mansions; the beautiful affinities Of mat.
ter disclosed by Chimistry; The order
and regularity in the revolutions OF the
planetary bodies the successive varla-
lions of the seasons; the harmonles eX-
isting between all parts ofthis 'stupen-
duous whole; '-these fill the mind with
ideas of the power, wisdom and beneti>
cence Of God. We look a step higher
and behold the same regularity in the OPP
crations of the organic laws. The pro-
gress and development Of the animal Or
| gans; the healthy action OF their func-
lions: the production and growth ofveg-
etabes and plants, all depend on laws
invariable in their operation and unbend-
ing in their exactions. Order, design
and system here work together for good
The animal and vegetable kingdoms I'M
dergo the ceaseless never varying change
of assimilation, decay, and death; to be
caught up by kindly influences, and "a
gain, under new form, and 1t may be a
new name, to run their course in nature S
eternal cycle of progress and event.
But beautiful as is the arrangement OF
the physical and organic systems, yet
far more transcendent does the moral
government Of God appear. The mind
is endowed with powers and capabilities
fitting it for discovering and approaching
the working OF natures laws las wei those
which refer to its own constitution, as
those of organic and inorganic matter
1t has laws which regulate its action
and may we not expect TO find in the op
GRAFTON of these the same invariableness,
the same nAexiblity in enforcing the
penalties annexed to transgression, that
we see every day exempliied in the phys
ical and organic world? We know that
the least Infringement Of any one ofthese
laws is followed by arrangement in the
part affected by it. Such, also, appears
TO be the relation existing between the
consequences of moral actions. Punish
ment, sooner or later, is consequent upon
violation of the moral law.
If, then, the world be constituted on
the plan ofthe supremacy OF tho moral
sentiments; and if, because this suprem-
acy has not hitherto been preserved, vice
and misery have prevailed so extensive
vas to induce many to believe that there
is no rational hope otmsn's ever advanc-
ing beyond his present condition, it fol-
lows, the preponderance and due activi-
ty of these sentiments, conjoined with
enlightened Intellect these togeth'
err holding the propensities in SUBJ"
jection-constitutc the sum and substance
| of human happiness. And this is virtue
CONFORMITY to the will Of God, as re-
vealed in the book Of nature and Of re-
violation.
Mankind have too long acted on the
| belief that punishment is not the mevI-
l table result ofviolation of law. Many,
, seeing that good men are often afflicted
in this life, while, perhaps those who
| live in constant Infringement ofthe prin'
: ciples of morality, enjoying good health
and SO far as worldly circumstances are
concerned, meet with success in thell
e plans, Immediately conclude that tht
r ways of God, to man are mysterious, O.
e that Justice is not administered on earth
Y Those who arrive at this conclusion d.
a not reflect on The independent operatio
o. of the rahoual laws. BY this is meant