Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-04-12

Of the trec could confer upon them nc
knowledge but that of evil, and the com
rnand was nothing more thnn to abstain
from the knowlegde-:o forbear from rush
ing upon their own destruction. !, is moi
suiIicien! to say that this was n command
in its own nature light and easy, it was d
command to pursue the only law of their
nature. to keep the happiness tina, had been
henped upon them withou. measure; bu,
obscrvc-it con,ained the principle Of obedi-
ence-it wns assigned to them as duty
and tho heavics: Of penalties wns denounc-
cd upon its :ransgrcssion. They were
no. 10 discuss the wisdom or Justice Of This
command; they wero not to inquire why it
ma boon enforced upon them, nor could
shey have Tie at'gh,cs. possible motive for
tie inquiry; unqnaiiied faiicity aud i'm
mortality were already theirs, w.~chod
ness md dcnth woro :ione forbi den them,
bu, pIaced within their reach rneroly
- - .e~.,..e'tco. ineJ 49,,
tho law; they forfeited their JOY and i'm
mortality; ,hov drought i.to tho world
death and all our woe" Here, then, IS
an extreme caso in which tho mere princi-
pic Of obedience could be- tried, and com
rnand to abstain from that which every
motive Of renson and interest would have
deferred had the command boon givcn-n
command givon in the easiest Of all posi-
bic forms, requiring not so much as an ac-
ton of any KIND. but merely forboarnEco;
and It's transgression was 50 severely pun
lshed, the only Inference we can draw
from it is that the most aggravated of nlt
crimes. and that which includes IN itself all
/ h<, ..,l
Lot US now consider how the principles Of
obedience is inculcn,ed in tho history OF
Abraham, by case in tho opposite ex-
.rcmc. God commanded Abraham, to
abandon forever his country, his kindred.
and his fathers house. to 60, he knew not
whcrej promised, as n reward Of his obe-
dencc. 10 bless him and his posierity
though he was then chilJlcss; he was re-
1uircd TO renounce everything that could
mos. contribute to tho happiness and com
fort of his life, and which was III his ac-
tual enjoyment; 10 become n houseless,
fricnd!css wandorer upon the earth, on the
nero faith of tho promise that land
should DO shown him which his desccn-
dants should posscss-they should be n
groot nation-nnd that through them oil
mankind should receive in future ages n
blessing. Tho obedience required of Adam.
was morely to retain all the blessings he
enjoy ed; the obedience Of Abraham was
to sacrifice ak that no possessed for tho
vague and distant prospect Of future
compensation to his posterity; tho self.
control and sclf-denial required Of Adam,
was in itself tho slightest that imagination
can conccivc-but its failure was punished
by tho forfeiture Of all his en- joyments; the
self-dominion to be exercised by Abraham,
was of tho most severe and painful kind
but its accomplishment will ultimately be
rewarded by the restoration Of all tina,
was forfeited by Adam. This restoration,
I however. WINS TO be obtained by no ordnn-
ry proof Of obedience; tho sacrifice Of more
personal blessings, however great. could
no, lay the foundation for tho redemption
Of mankind from death; the voluntary sub
mission Of Jesus Christ to his own dcn,h
in tho most cxcruciating and ignominious
form. wns to consumatc tho great plan Of
redemption, but the submission of A bra!inn
10 sacrifice his beloved and only son Isaac
the child promised by God himself, and
through whom all the great promises were
20 bo carried into effect, tho feelings Of ma
,ure, tho parents bowels, wero all requir
Cd W bo s1CTI!icu ny hoIoHHIu 10 XIX
blind unIucs;oning principles of obe Hence
{, tho will Of God. The blood Of Isaac
was not indeed shcd-the butchery Of ar
only son by tho hand Of his father was 9
sacrifice which mercoufl God did not re-
quro TO be completely executed; but as ar
instance of obedience II was imposed upor
Abraham, and nothing less than tho voice
Of an Angel from Heaven could arrest hi
upIlf.ed arm. and withhold him from shea
thing his knife in the heart Of bis child
1t was upon this testimonial Of obedience
shat Gods promise Of redemption was ex
presslv rene " cd to Abraham. "ln thy
seed shall all tho nations Of the earth b.
blessed. because thou hast obcyed my
voice" -Gcn. xii. Is.
From your aftcc,ionate father,
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.