New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-01
LETTERS
FROM HON. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS TO HIS son
ON THE BIBLE AND ITS TEACHINGS.
LETTER V.

LETTER v.
In the promise with which my last letter TO you
upon the Bible was concluded, undertook task
from the performance of which have been hither.
10 deferred by its very magnitude and importance
the more reflected upon the subject the more sen
sbly did feel my incompetcncy to do it justice,
and by q weakness so common in the world from
the apprehension of inability to accomplish as
much as | ought, have hitherto been withheld
from the attempt to accomplish anything at all.
Thus more than year has elapsed, leaving me still
burdened with the load Of my promise and in
nov undertaking to discharge it, | must premise
that you are only to expect the desultory and In
diges,ed thoughts which have not the means oil
combining into a regular and systematic work
I shall not entangle myself in the controversy
which has sometimes been discussed with tenn
per not very congenia either to the nature OF the
cues ton itself or the undoubed principles OF Chris
tianity. whether the Bible. like all other systems
of morality. lays the ultimate basis OF all human
duties In selfiore, whether it enjoins duties on
the principle of perfect and disiaeresfed oenepofeHee
Whether the obligations are sanctioned by prom
ise of reward or a menace Of punishment, the ulti.
mate motive for it's fulfment may justly be atri
buted TO the selfish considerations. But obedi'
epce to the will Of God be the universal and only
foundation of all moral duty, special injunctions
NAV be binding upon the conscences OF men, al
though their performance should not be secured
either by the impulse OF hope OF fear The law
given from Sinaiwas civil and municipal as well az
a moral and religious code; 1t contained many stat
utes adapted to that time only and to the particular
circumstances OF the nation TO whom It was gwen
,bev could of course be binding upon them, and
only upon them, until sbros ased by the same au
tboritv which enacted them, as they aiterward
ware by the Christian dispensstion: but many
others were OF universal application, -laws essen
,.I 10 the existence Of men in society, and mos; o
which have been enacted by every nation which
ever professed any code oflaws But the Levitical
was given BY God himself it extended to great
variety Of objects Of iLfnite importance to the wei
fare of men. but which could not come within the
reach Of human legislation; 1t combined the tenn
porai and spiritual authorities together, and resu
lated not only the actions but the passions of those
TO whom it was given. Human Legislators can
undertake only to prescribe the actions of men !;
thew acknowledge their inability to govern and d.
rect the sentiments Of the heart the very law itself
il rule Of civil conduct not OF internal principles
and there 10 no crime in the power OF an individual
10 perpetrate which he may not design. project
and folly intesd without ncurrog guilt 10 the eye
Of human law. Itis one Of the greatest marks Of
Divine favor bestowed upon the children OF Israel
tina. the Legislator gave them rules not only Of &C
ton bu, for the government Of the heart There
were occasionally few short sentensioas Princi
pies Of morality issued from the oracles oil dreece
sr,one them and undoubtedly the most excellent
of them. was that OF acknowledge, which one o.
the purest moralists and finest poets oil Rome Oh
oressly says came from Heaven. But you would
remark the Distinguishing characteristics between
true and false religion, compare the manner In
wbich the ten commandments were proclaimed by
the voice Of the Almighty God. from Mount Sinai
with thunder and lightning. and earthquake. by the
.oupd Of the trumpet and in the hearing Of six
,hous.ud souls, with the studied secrecy and Iais
tory and mummsry with which the Dslphio and
o,bsr orscles Of the Grecian gods were delivered.
The miraculous interpretations Of Divine power 70.