Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1847-12-30
The Bible from God, as evnccd by its Moral
RPcfifudp.

Rectitude.
The history of Pagan philosophy is interesting be-
cause 1t is mournlully instructive a history of the
errors OF the human mind, and practical proof
of that excessive degradation to which the most re-
fined and cultivated intellect is reduced when des-
tute of Divine guidance. If we except those wr-
tings which derive their instructions from the Bible
there is but this one book that lays the foundation of
moral obligation in the nature of the Deity, and in
the nature and relations which men sustain towards
INN aud one another, as he has revealed them. In
the sparklings OF pagan poetry there are occasional
scintations of moral sentiment that are just and ex-
allied aud so there are in the more sober discussions
OF such writer the great heather morast Seneca
But they are too varying and contradictory they al
hrln and deny almost in the same paragraph while
the most uncxceptionablc, both of their poets and
philosophers, are the teachers of fragrant wicked
ness.
1t is not with the Bible At IL great remove
from the ethics ofthe whole pagan and infdel world
the rectitude it describes is scintillaon of poetry
nor is 1t any sudden outbreakng of conscience it is
not brought out occasionally, and for effect, hut is
inwoven with all its revelations, and is the uniform
characteristic of the book ITSELF Instead of being in
nuenced by the opinions of men, and controlled bv
their example, customs, and laws its aim is to in
fucnce and control men themselves. Instead of in
81 GsstiiHe EPa based sOaYiHeisias
profitable speculation, and sacrificing the interests
of moral rectitude to other interests, it uniformity
pIrsues the opposite course; and in every instance
where other interests in collision with the
claims of moral recude the latter hold absolute su-
premacy.
This were a somewhat remarkable fact in work
be traced no higher than the artifce of an impos
tor Whence is it, that in age of the world when
human learning ignorant, human philosophy
unwise, and the virtue and teachings of its sGges
erring, collection Of impostors should have this
strange prominence? Whence is it that system
of morals, devised by such men, should strike its
roots deep INTO the great principles of Gods gov
eminent, and the moral constitution of man? Whence
is it that all the results of human philosophy are
al.
which has its origin in deception and falsehood?
"liath not God made foolish the wisdom of the
world 2" Does not this revelation, by the mere truth
and business of its moral distinctions show that it is
Gods work, and not the work of man9
1t is great popularity of the Bible also, that it
furnishes the only perfect standard Of moral recttude
Human reason does not know enough TO furnish such
a standard is it sufficiently impartial do so if
it able. Conscience is not sufficiently cnlight-
ened to furnish such q standard nor in fallen man.
is she sufficiently honest TO do so, she enlight
ened. One Being in the universe there is, and only
one, who is capable of deciding what in all instances
of human conduct is right in ITSELF and of revealing
the unerring rule of right to the creatures he has
made-Dr. Spring.
The brief hints afforded us by the sacred writings
concerning the Better Land are inspiring and beau-
tnl. Eye hath not seen, nor the heard, neither
hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive of
the good in store for the righteous. Heaven is des-
cribed as n quiet habitaton n rest remaining TO the
people of God Tears shall be wiped away from all
eyes there shall he no more death, neither sorrow
crying, neither shall there be any more pain
To how many death beds have these words spoken
peace How many failing hearts have gathered
from them to pass through the dark valley of shad-
ows.
Yet we should not forget that the kingdom of
Heaven is within that it is the of the afiec-
tons of the soul the answer of good conscience
the sense of harmony with God condition of Time
as well as of Eternity What is really momentous
and all important with us is the Present by which
the future is shaped and colored A mere change of
locality cannot alter the actual and nstrinsic quail
ties of the soul. Guilt and Remorse would make
the golden streets of Paradise ntoerabe the burn
ing mari OF the Internal abodes while Purity and H.
nocence would transform Hell itself into Heaven.
FAITH-Some of you seek for faith the same way
You would dig for a well You turn your eye in
ward upon yourself, and search amidst the depths OF
your polluted heart find if faith is there you search
nmd all yonr feelings at sermons and sacraments
if faith is there and still you find nothing but
sin. Learn Martha's plan. She looked full in the
face of Jesus she saw his dust-soiled feet and sui
lied garment and eye of more than human tender
ness. She drank in his word; Il am the resurrec-
ton and the life and spite of all she saw and all
she felt, she could not but believe. The discovery
that Jesus makes of his love and power the head
of living believers, and the head of dead believers
revived her fainting SOUL and she cried, Yea, Lord
believe" Faith comes by hearing the voice of Je
sus. McCheyne.
PAaENTs.-Parents must never put away theil
own youth. They must never cease to be Young
Their sympathies and sensbilities should be always
quick and fresh. They must be susceptible. They
must love that which God made the child to love-
Children need, not only government firm and mild
but sympathy, warm and tender So long as parents
are their best and most agreeable companions, ch
dren are comparatively safe, even in the society o