Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1852-04-17
The Law AND The Pronhets,

Whenever he gives his opinion on the mean
ing of any biblical saying, that is taken as the
true Interpretation. The phrase, "the law
and the prophets" is equivalent to saying,
the writings or teachings of the Old Testa-
ment, l suppose, and it will be of some i'm
portance to knew what that teaches. There
is no weightier question. 1t is the all, for it
imbraces the happiness of the whole race in
tis signifcation. And whatever secures that
the present and future well being of mankind,
must be of supreme importance. 10 teach
what will do this is the ACKNOWLEDGED object of
the Old Testament, of the New, and all the
great and good of all time 1t is an all ab-
sorbing question. What can surpass in i'm
portance that which will promote the best in
terests of an eternally living, conscious, hu-
man being? its first claims all admit All
alike are in search of happiness, all estimate
it; all alike hunger and thirst after it. The
difference among mankind on this subject lies
in the means that are used in securing hapi-
ness they are numerous, and often antipodal.
when they should be those that are embraced
by the passage, "the law and the prophets" I"
Hence it becomes of the utmost Importance
to US to know what this comprehensive phrase
means:
The whole human family is but an aggre-
gatien of Individuals multiplication ofthem.
The laws which are designed to govern one,
should govern all, and those laws which can
make one a child of God, can equally every
one This is every where admitted. But
what are the means, the laws that will ac-
complish this? Numerous are the opinions
on this subject, great is the division here.
The reverend world, the scientific, the literary
and the unlettered are alike unsettled, disa-
greed and perplexed on this subject.
The question comes back afresh. what does
the phrase, "the law and the prophets" mean
Who is authority on this subject? What
commentator will the world acknowledge ?
He who had "no place 80 lay his head" is
sufficient; his interpretations are universally
acceptable, and if we can give his, the world
will abide by it
He said on an Important occasion, after re-
viewing the state of mankind, his own mission
and the Old Testament, whatsoever ye would
that men should do unto you. do ye even so
10 then," for "this is the law and the proph-
ets;" or in other words if sou do that, you do
all your heavenly Father requires of you, all
that the Old Testament teaches and demands,
and all that find that is requisite for man
kind to do 20 become images of God, heirs of
immortal life, children of heaven, and happy
forevermore Such are the words of Jesus
on this deeply interesting subject. Does this,
in the light of philosophy, in the light of spir-
itual knowledge, look satisfactory? Can the
scientific world gainsay this revelation? Can
they disprove it, and is there any disposition
ia man 10 deny, that "Do unto others as ye
would that they should do unto you" is a
wholesome doctrine-a principle of universal
applicability, of great worth, and OF immedl-
ate and continual happiness to all who prac-
tise it? Does it look rational that that prin-
ciple can secure the present and eternal hap
piness of single persen, of whole world :?
Does it appeal to the ignorant or the enhgh-
tened, the evil or the upward and progressive
nature Of Man? Is it mysterious, blind any
asking of faith in priests dream, in some
thing beyond the comprehension Of the mind
Is it a mere abstraction, vapor, scholastic
mystic theory, wordy creed, nonentity,
Sabbath Day piety, a meeting house religion =?
No! There is no wild, impraeticabie theory
about it, no sky dogma, nor particular days
value about il. bat it is simply Righteous ac-
ton between individuals, on Tuesday as well
as Sunday, on one day and on every day, for
ever and ever. Does it require something
else than individual Righteousness? Some
thing more than every day virtue and integri-
ty, a faith in myth beyond do unto others as
ye would that they should do unto you p The
lowly Jesus does not inculate such no.
ton; his great sermon is remarkable for its
direct. momentary, practicable truths-those
that take hold of our daily walk ard conver-
sation daily thoughts, feelings, and desires.
Ifpractised by ALL the Chinese walls of
! h,,A
part ofthe earth on which we tread: simply
pavements for tie hoofs and wheels of bust
ness. If praciised, the Temples of God
instead of one. If practised, the House of
Worship would be as numerous as human
hearts as costly as human souls, as durable as
human spirits, and as useful as human actions.
Ignorance then would gradually disappear
from each child as he passes from the cradle
TO the grave. Though in childhood the world
may look dark, yetin age it will be filed with
light; though at FIRST our duty may be du-
bious, at last it will appear clear and desira-
BILE; as we pass along the line of life, the
shades of night will disappear mental twi-
light will soon appear; the fair open, and
bright face of the Sun ofInteligence will rise
into view, pointing out the paths that man
should follow IN all their wIndlngs, commence
ments, and examinations. Each then will be-
come growing moral and mental Lamp
faint at first, but oak-lke, taller, stronger, and
larger, from year to year. till it pierces the
very heavens. Righteousness will become
more and more the fruit of human actions as
the light of the Lamp burns clearer. brighter.
and longer. The practice of this claw and
the prophets" is the great duty of women
she should become identified with it; she
should herald it TO the world in all its beauty,
truthfulness, applicability, usefulness, and rea-
sonablness. She should be in haste to show
that it is not myth, not distant Will-with-a
Wisp, alluring mankind into extensive morass-
es and dark bogs, but actually what every
person can place in his bosom as light from
heaven to guide his bark upon the stream Of
time to the unruff1ed and calm harbor of plen-
ty, of peace, and happiness Here, indeed, is
mission for women. extensive as her powers,
! l., h. loo IL