Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-25
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

Al FihAH II n ANE" |
DEAR Mr.. EDITOR My last closed with
the remark" | could imagine no more
gross or unreasonable supposition than the
one often entertained by the world, that chris
tianity and happiness are inimical to each
other" Nay, the very purity Of life which
the teachings of scripture inculcates, and the
adaptedness of those principles to the spirit
ual cravings which form at times so large a
part of our inherent natures, even in this
life, presents as forcible an argument rs any
which may be deduced, in favor of its truth
fulness and beauty. Whatever the fruitful
imaginings Of the heart may be, or however
bewilderingly beautiful beams the prospect
Of futurity upon the dazzled vision, we arc
so fashioned by the ham of an All-wise E.
ternal, that hours Of reflection unsought for
will come and linger about the highest PIN
naclc Of the human heart. That there are
such deeply reflective seasons-times of in
definable mental cravings we cannot satisfy
of aching voids longing for ~fullness, where
the inner voice asserts in tones not to be 81
fenced the grand end Of our creation-and
hopes, aims, feelings are all striving for a
pure, clear, moral atmosphere, very few if
any will dare to deny. And if with these a
Weakened convictions that we are truly endow-
ed with hearts and souls of unreasonable
responsibilities, and for the proper use Of
/ W III an n IL OAIS NNJ ~ ~
Oh sad indeed, if we also feel that the gene
rOus impulse and active usefulness belonging
: thereto. have been thoughtlessly neglected,
whilstrepeated opportunities Ofyirtuous deeds
and beneficial feelings have been passed Ey
7 alike neglected and unused.
? Setting aside for the present all those pas
4 sages upon which man builds his cavillincs
and doubts, and then full enough remains to
; convince us that it directs US to fling off the
i foul nature of sin and evil. That it teaches
5 the subiugation of all propensities which our
. better hours tell us are unworthy of enter
> tainment. That it requires the constant eff
Q . fort to put aside al dcbasing thought and feel
u ing-of separating ourselves from the I'M
cleanliness surrounding us, and so to discip-
: line the mind and heart to love and alteration
: of God, sympathy and affection for our fell
low man, as would not only accord with the
.Bible's pure requirements, but fill up also
Il our own most exalted IDEAS Of a rart0nTf fife.
No one doubts the fact that the most envia-
BILE circumstances of position, wealth or pow
Il er, can bring with their glittering parapher-
MALTA no permanent happiness. Because an
3 ANALYSIS of the inner breathings, unassisted
even by metaphysical development, convin-
ces that the soul, the immortal essence, de-
mands some stay, some sure support, which
u no accident or change may effect. Life's
most promising buds are nipped ere they
expand into fowers-earth's brightest hopes
s. are doomed to whitening b~light-fairest Wis
Is ions fade into nothingness-most deeply
u. cherished ones are removed, and ever folding
le these facts within, it refuses at last to lean
Ill for strength upon shafts so weak or if thus
f~carfully duped, it may reel and totter from
III its throne when the trusted staff is removed.
II the heart indeed Ii is so cherished, that the
~ question is perpetually arising, how much of
nc the spirit which was in Christ may be sacri-
M feed to this or that qualification, ] admit
: Christianity may be looked upon as an uu-
ap welcome restraint but when the higher i'm
1n pulses and abiding principles of the soul are
5le impressed with the truth and dignity of the
lPcc cause it has Observation-Disclosures, instead ofthe
Vi inquiry arising. how little may do with
out a final departure from the faith | pro-
nI fess'-the anxious query bursts up ever from
"u an OVERLOOKING heart-how much may a frail,
ier weak mortal like me, as an instrument in
Ia the hands of God, affect for his glory-and
Vi when these desires and feelings increase and
e"- develop until they become the motive princi-
'e,, pies of all our actions, then indeed does it
OF shine forth as the ~lustrous light, which
IN bathes all else in its own brilliant glow
Ine And it is this filling up the mind-occupy
wy inc all dreaming misunderstanding all
yes everything, light or darkness-healtk or sick
'hu ncss-ioy or sorrow-life or dcath-back t.
: the Goa whose PROJECTIONS it delineates ant
ger which we have learned to adore, that consti.
IL: tutes the harmony of Bible Christianity.
And not simply belief alone, but r~ealizin!
and dpprOpridting individually as christians
MS the truths it teaches, the encouragement
lie therein afforded, the promises held out, ant
trusting rs firmly as that the blue sky /
spread above our heads, even though tn
= DIT bodily eye may not rest thereon, that not on
my lot or title shall fail of fulfllment-and VIII
IL Il l+l,E hoe oryor ctu1ia1 that TOndrnuc Ron
II a can question for a moment how the hear
lou can rest on its truths and be content ! Th
more closely it is searched the more clearl
llghG is manifested, not only the divinity of its OF
pe igin, but the beauty and comfort to be d'
Vne rived from its every page grows more vlvl
nave and distinct. Nor are its appeals to tn
th's heart alone but the mind finds ample scor
for the concentration and development of
g! ~loftiest powers. whilst the more the intelle'
sue is cultivated by its study, the better enable
De- will it be to enter into the sublime mysterit
ions III of Croot;on and Reclamation the worl
not as we'll as word Of God and the clearer the
more become, the higher, purer will be the EN-
eng tons thus generated, drawing the soul firm
Aou and surely nearer and still nearer to Its TO
e we Nothing is contained in it's precepts u
IiohS suited for this beautiful green world on whi'
NJ" we live-nothing at variance with any pie
mus sure affording lasting delight to the soul
nothing to war with the loves, hopes OF as
oVeo ~rations calculated to render us happier
oerty better but when its glorious influences pr
owl wade all these, temporalizing and spiritua
her : zing-then, indeed, is its genuine hap
l spirit attained. Viewing the word of g
IT, in this light, it would seem but natural eve
De precept should be gladly studied-eve
let promise faithfully applied, and every pu
more flying direction carefully followed out. I
prlS- very delineations of character in which
&c see abounds, the weaknesses and imperfectio
very it depicts, presses its claim upon that 81;
'ss u of beings which in their natural state S
IS In remain the same. The Bible was never
j T at tended for angels, certainly and the We
De fact of its bearing upon its every page ST
indubitable evidence of its message to m;
re the should make us realize its truthful beal
at more properly, and invest it with that
III ner preme Importance, compared to which
ms other subjects are chimerical and vain. A
ana Oh! were it really thus regarded, would
Vas 70 our lives present a better comment upon
value, and would not much more of that
:, terest and affection be centered in its trut
ism at that is now idly flung upon objects of s.
'rklng vastly inferior attraction. LORA
but |
r they KossrrH AND TuRKEY.-The New Y
Times says that private letters received by
Iers OF Europa from Gov. Kossuth state that he
power induced to postpone his departure for
nave stantinople, which had been positively Fl
CnllU. - - - e L. ILL., ,oor