The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-15
The Mysteries OF Christianity
Translated FROM yIsEr.

Ihsrs are hnss wAieA Aape the Of
lew days since these words presented a subject OF
Illumination and OF gratitude, They informed that
cannot give ourselves religion, and that God in His
goodness has delgned TO our relief But these
words, which are subjest of praise and Of ed
hcaon for some, are subject OF scandal and the cause
OF murmur to others The OF not willingly
convinced OF its feebeness it does bear willingly
that bounds should be prescribed io feels itself yo
lenty tempted 10 reject IDEAS beyond its conception truths
which ii has not OWNED, religion that has not in
vented and if doctrines proposed to mysterious
and incomprehensble in their nature, the sentiment OF
discomfort becomes revolt, and assumes the character
with many OF an obstinate Incredibly.
g do not comprehend do not believe the
Gospel Is full OF Observation-Disclosures cannot accept it,
is the favore argument Of incredibly One would sup
pose from the confidence inspired by such state OF mind
that It rested upon something solid, least specous
is, however, neither The the other it bears
The slightest examination OF reason, and If it yet enjoys
any consideration with the world it is only proof Of the
lghness of judgments upon the solemn things
What is really the foundai ion of this argument The
pretension OF ehendng all that is in the religion OF
tered us by God. that He might have offered u.s. Pre-
tension ually UNJUST unreasonable idle This is what
we propose TO develop
Firstly, it is unjust pretenson for it is to demand
OF God what He does not u.s. To prove it, let us sup
pose that God has really given religion man. and let us
changes not al all the argument We can believe at
least in reference TO ourselves, that God free to give
or 10 withhold religion but should fear agree
that in giving 1t He had in view something more and that
this first benefit leads TO other benefits; for in say
ing this barely admit that God consequent and tha,
that which He commences He finishes. AS it is by a
written revelation that He manifests towards us his de-
signs, was necessary that He should surround that rev.
eation with all the authority which could induce to
accept it, il was necessary that He should enable US at
the same time to judge the who speak to us in his
have been truly by him il was necessary in
word that should be assured that the Bible is really
the word of God.
In TRUTH il not essential that each OF our convic
tons should be obtained by the same proofs. Some
might be led to Christianity by historic or exterior argu-
ments they might prove the truth Of the Bible as they
do any other history; they might themselves that
the books which compose it are in truth the relations
which the times and the writer's record. That estab
lished, they might confront the prophecies contained in
those old documents with the events which transpired
late; they might themselves of the reality
of the miraculous facts reported in those books and
thereby infer the necessary intervention of the Divine
power, which, dsposing alone of the forces of Nature
is alone, also, able TO interrupt modify its action
Others less tit for these researches, be struck
with the intrinsic evidence OF the holy Scriptures Find
ing in them the state OF their soul perfectly described
its wants perfectly expressed the remedies for its mala
and sincerity which nothing before had initiated finally
feeling themselves awakened, changed, renewed by tie
my slerous influence OF these sacred writings, they might
have acquired that way conviction which they have
not the power to make Ineligible to Others but which
the less legitimate irresistible, and Interchangeable
This is, then, another way by which they penetrate the
asylum of faith. But il the characteristic of the
wisdom Of God. Of the Justice. and, dare say, OF the
honor OF his government TO open to this other way
foru II mar he cd hy
knowledge. He degned in like manner furnish him
the means OF knowing.
Behold the point to which God has carried His designs
in respect to us. and how He has fulfilled them Enter
into this double method Of demonstration; inteuogae
history times, and places, according TO the OF
the Scripures approach all the difficulties; falhom all
the objections allow not yourselves to be too easily
WINGED be much the severe towards this book,
as Processes contain the supreme rule OF your
duct and the end OF your future. This is permitted
Even more you exhorted do So provided you 90
into the examination with the requisite capacity and pure
intentions Or, if you prefer yet another method,
inc with sincere heart the contents of the Scriptures
seek in scanning the words OF Jesus, if has
spoken that Man ascertain if the wants OF your soul
long deceived, the anxietes of your mind, long
van find not in the doctrine and the work of Christ
satisfaction and consolation which no wisdom was
ever able TO bring breahe-if | may say so-this
perfume Of truth. of candor, and purity, which exhaes
from the Gospel see if. in all It's parts. it carries
the self evident seal OF inspiration and divinity. Make
the effort and if the gospel produces the contrary effect
upon you, return to the books and TO the wisdom OF
and demand OF them that which Christ has been able
10 give. But IT, neglectng these two ways which are
open to YOU and which ages have so broadly carved out
you desire first that the Christian religion be rendered
all points comprehensive TO your intelligence and that il
be unrobed OF all its mysteries you wish penetrate
beyond the veil TO find there, not the allment which
makes live the SOUL but food for your restless curiosity
say that you sci up against God the most indscreet
RASH and unjust preension for He has promised neither
iacy nor expressly make known TO you the secrets
your eye oves and your presumptuous importantly
only excite Hs indignation. He has given you what He
owed you. and much more: the res, is His.
II a preiension unjust admissible, where,
pray you, would your Importantly stop Already you
demand OF God than he has given TO the angels;
Tor those eternal mysteries which disturb youhe
cord Of the divine foreknowledge and human liberty
the origin OF SIM and its unspeakabe remedy the in
carnaton Of the Eternal Word-the relations OF the
Man God with His Faher--,he expa,ory virtue OF HIS
sacrfce-the regeneraiing efficacy of the Holy Ghost
all these things refused to the angels them
selves who according the word Of the apostle endeavor
to 20 to the bottom OF Them but reach there.
n you reproach the Eternal having kept to Himself the
OF these divine mysteries, why not reproaoh
TO Him The thousand other limits that prescribed to
you9 Why not reproach to Him that you have no,
wings the bird, visit the regions which your eyes
alone can survey Why not reproach to Him that you
have not besides the FIVE senses with which you are
provided ten others that possessed perhaps by other
creatures and which procure them sensations OF which
you have not an idea' Why not reproach to Him,
thai he has made invariably succeed the earth