The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-10-21
Webster on the Evidences of Christi.
ausfv

a lew evenings since, sitting b, MS own fircsidc
alter day OF severe labor IN the Supren Court. NJ.
ebster introduced the last Sabbatls Sermon and
d'scofsed ~ animated and glowing eloqtenc, for an
honr on the great truths If he Gospel / cannot I'm,
regard the opinions oi such a man. in some sense AZ
public property. lhia q apology or aiicmp,,ng
/" recall s'rne OF those ema KS which were uttered
~ 'he rrivacs al the domestic circle
Sad Nj. Webster; last SaA,aih listened IN
an ah', and iearne1 discon upon the evidences Of
Christianity. The arguments were drawn from, The
prophecy, ana hstnry. with rleI1ld evidence They
were stated with logical accuracy and force; bar as
II Seeih d az me, the Clergyman failed draw fon,
thom the right conclusion I.c cauc so ncar the
truth Uiat was asiorishcd that h. missed il. in
summing up his arguments, he aid tie ou,v altcrr,-
iN' presented hv thc-e evidences j., this: Either
Nm'S'ahiiy IS true oI ~ j. delusIun prodpctd bv
an cNciiod imagination Suh = not the alternative
sad The critic; hat IL - this: The Gospel il either
true history, II s a co,s,fate fsvd il = either
reality, or IN imposition. Christ WAS wha, he pro.
i@~sad I" bc, Or hc impo>tcr. There is no
Other alternative. iis spoiicss life. IN his earnc.
enforcement f the truth hs suffering N its defence
"rnts MS To suppose tha, hc follow ing an illusion
oi heated BRAIN
Every act Of his pure md ,ol, l,ic shows thu, he
vas the author Of truth. the advocate Of truth. the
earnest defender Il truth and the uncouf aiming suf-
irTtf "i hufh Now. consider the purity II his
doctrines, the simplicity of h., life aud the sutlnitv
OF ms death is possible thai ho would have died
10 popular appeals. His di<courscs wcre an direc,
{" The ihdiviiaIl Christ and his apostles sought to
impress 'n"n every mnn tic conyiction tha, he must
stand or fall alouche must i've for himself and die
TOR himself and give up his account to the ornni,cout
God, q. though he were the only dependent cr ature
IN The inverse. The gospel leaves the i,lnaI
sinner alone with himself and his God To ms oyn
master fe stands hls. Iio has nothing 10 hore
f'om The aid aud sympathy Of a-sociatcs The ielp-
ded advoca'gs oi new doctrines do not 20 prcach-
Christ and his Apostles, had they been deceiv.rs.
wouli not 50 preached. If clergyInen in Our tlay
would return 20 the simplicity of the gospel and
preach more 10 the individuals and less to the crowd
there would not be much complaint of the decline
OF 1" religion. MaDy ot he ministers # the pres
eat day take their t,xt from St Paul and preach
irom the NOW sTapc's. Whcn the, DO So | prefer 10
enjoy my own thoughts rather thu 10 listen want
my pastor 20 come to in thc spirit cf the gospel
s'NIng "i ou are mortal; your probation Is brief;
yoIr work must he dome speedily You arc Immortal
100. ci are Fastening ~ the bar of God the
Judge standcih before the door, When am thus
ast"ni>hcd. have 10 disposition g muse or to sleep.
"Fhe-e topics, said VI. " et,ster .'havc often of-
cupIed my thoughts. and If had time, i would wftc
npon them myself
The above remarks are but Z mcagre ard ,mperlec.
abstract ron memory, ct one oi The most eioqucut
sermons 10 which ever iistcncl.--C Crnctraii,naf
.Jouaql.