Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-05-10

fourth OF his Tusculan disputations, which
advise YOU 10 read and mediate upon.
You will there find proved the duty of
subduing the passions. 1t is sometimes
objected that theory is not adapted to
the infirmities Of human nature: that it is
not made for being SO constituted as
man; that an oartlen vessel is not formed
to dash itself against rock; that in yield
ing TO the impulses of the passions. man
only follows the dictates of his nature:
that 10 subdue them entirely is an effort
beyond his powers. The weakness and
fraiiiy OF our nature. it is not possible to
deny-it is too strongly tested by al hui
man experience, as well as by the whole
tenor Of the Scriptures; but the degree of
weakness must be measured by the eff
forts to overcome it. and not by indulgence
TO IT. Once admit weakness as an argu-
TO forbear cxertion, and it results in
absolute impotence. 1t is also very in
conclusive reasoning to infer that because
perfection is not absolutely to be Obtained
il is therefore not to be sought
Human excellence consists in approx
nation TO perfection; and the only means
Of approaching the term itself. With
these convictions upon the mind-wit'l
sincere and honest effort to practice upon
them, and with the aid of divine blessing
which is promised TO it, the approaches
to perfection NAV at least be so great as to
nearly answer all the ends which absolute
perfection itself could attain. All exer-
ton, therefore. is virtue; and if the tree
be Iudoed by its fruit. it is certain that all
the most virtlous characters Of heather
antiquity were the. disciples Of the Stole
doctrine. But let Il even be admitted that
perfect command Of the passions is I'M
atialnable to human infIrrnity, it will still
be true that the degree of moral excell-
cncc possessed by any individual is in ex-
act proportion TO the degree of control he
exercises over himself. According to the
StoIcs. all vice was receivable into folly:
according to the Christian principle. it is
all the effect of weakness. In order to
preserve the dominion of our own pas
sons, it bchoovcs US to be constantly and
strictly on our guard against the influence
and infection Of the passions of others
This caution above all is necessary to
youth; and deem it indispensable to en-
join it upon you-becausc. as kindness
and benevolence comprises the whole sys-
tenn Of Christian duties. there may be.
and often is great danger of falling into
errors and vice merely for the want of en-
ergy to resist the example or eniicement
Of others.
On this point the true character Of Chris
tan morality appears to me to have been
misunderstood by some of its ablcst and
warmcst defenders. In Paley's view
Of the Evidences of Christianity" there
is chapter on the morality of the Cos
pei, the general tenor Of which Gas eX-
ccllcnt, but in which there is the following
passage: "There are two opposite des-
crptiolis Ct character. under which man
kind may generally be classcd: the one
possesses vigor, firmness, resolution. is
active and daring. quick in its sensibll.-
tics. jealous of its fa,re. eager in its at
tachmcnts, inilcxiblc Of its purposes, vio
len, in its resentment; the other meek.
Welding. complying. foreiving. not prompt
to act. but willing to suffer, silent and gem
tie under rudcncss and insults. suing for
reconciliation where others would demand
satisfaction; giving away TO the pushes OF
impudcnce. concedino and indulocnt to
the prcIudiccs. the wrong he adedness. the
intractabilitv of others with whom it has
TO deal. The former of these characters
is, and ever has been. the favorite of the
world; it is the character OF great men,
there is dignity in it which commands
respect. The latter is poor spirited. tame
and ahlect. Yet. SO it has happened.
that witt, the founder of Christianity the
latter is the subject Of His communication.
His prccepts, His example. and that the
former is so in no part of its composition
h,. Il 49,
of Soamc Jennings, whose essay on the
'.lnternal Evidences Of Christianity" he
strongly recommends: but | cannot con-
slider it either as an accurate and dis
corning delineation Of character. nor as
exhibiting correct representation of Chris
tan principles. The founder of Chris
tianity did indeed pronounce distinct and
positive blessings upon the ''poor in spir-
it," which is by no means synonymous
with the ''poor spiritod;'' and upon the
meek: but in what part of the Gospel did
DR.. Palcy find Him countenancing by
commentator. by precept or example
the tame and ablect!"
The character which Christ assumed
upon earth. was that of Lord and Mas
ter: it was in that character his disciples
received and acknowledged Him. The
obedience he required was unbounded,
beyond that which was ever
claimed BY the most absolute earthly SOW
ereign of his subjects: never for one mo-
ment did he recede from this authoritative
station: He preserved it in washing the
feet Of His disciples: He preserved it in
answer TO the officers who struck Him
for this very deportment; to the High Priest.
He preserved it in the agony of His ejac-
uation on the cross, Father forgive them.
for they know not what they do He
expressly declared Himself 1.-The Prince
of this world, and the Son Of God" He
spoke as one having authority. not only
to His disciples, but to His mother. to His
Judges. to Plate. the Roman Governor.
to John the Baptist, His precursor; and
there is not in the four Gospels, one act.
not one word recorded of Him. Except