The Columbian fountain., 1846-06-26
REASON AND PASSION.

II was an ancient maxim that our passions
are rebels against our understandings and ev-
cry mans experience and observation confirms
the truth of the saying. One may not disregard
the decisions of his judgment without consd-
cradle hazard, even though those decisions may
render it necessary for him to undergo great
self-denial Man is an intelligent being, and
if he forget this and follow his corrupt inclina-
tons instead of the better promptings of his
reason, his feet soon wander into those paths
which lead to misery and disgrace; and this
course has been the fruitful cause of most of
the unhappiness which now exists, or has ex-
listed in our world.
We pretend not to argue that mans unas-
sisted reason is sufficient in all things we be-
lieve in the necessity Of divine revelation by
which human reason may be aided in its OPP
erations;-but even without revelation, the man
who is guided by the understanding rather than
sordid affections, approaches nearest to the true
dignity and real happiness Of his race. The
history of heather nations furnishes us with
ample illustrations Of this fact in the examples
of many OF its philosophers. If then reason,
without the advantages OF revelation, led those
wise men among the heather nations, to con-
troll their actions and render their lives viruous
and comparatively happy; how much more,
under the glorious light Of this day of advan-
tages, and in country like ours, may il do
for us7 Those who have lots cast in land
Of religious toleration, and political privileges,
a land Of freedom Gin the highest and noblest
sense of the word, resolving to avail them
selves Of their advantages, TO appreciate high
ly and improve properly their inestimable pri
vileges, may ever expect to enjoy not only the
favor of their fellow men, who pursue a SIM
liar course, but also the appreciation of their
Maker J, for who can fail to perceive that, H
who has formed us with such interesting gifts,
and surrounded US with such favorable crcum-
stances, will be pleased, at our right improve
ment Of them. SO much then for pursuing
the way Of Christian philosophy, for this is
proper expression to convey the idea OF
such manner Of life: "The fear of the Lord
that is wisdom and 10 depart from evil is uu-
derstanding." A .s4
But let us take a view of the contrary course;
let US contemplate the career of an individual
who, regardless of hisshigh privileges, or his
Obligations to God or men, and governed sole
ly by his desires for self-gratifcation, gives a
loose rein to passion, satiates his appetites and
runs wild after the things Of the world which
perish in the using. Such one endeavors
not TO resist his inclinations whether they are
! right or not Holding no consultation with
his noble powers Of reason. and holding no al
lance with virtue, he pursues his own plea
sure and abuses his liberty, by running into all
manner Of excess. He may not indeed have
entered these paths of folly suddenly, but
yielding by degrees, has finally suffered him
self to have lost sight Of any reference to his
better judgment, and now he does, to use his
own words, "just as he pleases," whether he
please to do right or wrong, and will hear
no arguments, listen TO no enueaties. We
look upon this man as being without hope,
and though he may for awhile seem to be the
only happy man, we may expect to hear o
his career ending in the greatest misery imagi-
nable. Unlike the philosopher above describ
ed. his pathway instead of improving, and its
attractions. becoming increasingly satisfying,
as he advances in it, will be more rugged
and unsafe, and dark, the farther he goes, un-
til al last his dangerous excesses, will end in
awful ruin, demonstrating forcibly the passage
Of holy writ which declares, "that the way of
the transgressor is hard"
II will be seen from these reflections then,
that between the life of the man who suffers
himself to be guided by passion, and him who
throws about himself the restraints of virtue,
as dictated by his understanding, there is per-
fectcontrast, and the sincere seeker of happiness
may if he will, discover how he may certainly
arrive at the blessed end he seeks. The way
is simple, and plain, and we should be happy
ourselves could we induce single individual
to walk in it.
Does any desire a further demonstration of
the propriety Of our remarks2 If SO we would
give il, by asking this question Of every read
er. viz have you not found that the nearer