Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-01-26
Individual Accountability.

A correspondent of the ". Y. Tribune, in
q recent account Of visit once paid at the
Hermitage, gives the following character
istic anecdote of Andrew Jackson:
"Geu Jackson, thoggh member Of a
Presbyterian Church, had been SO identi-
fed with Democracy, that he regarded and
complained Of the clergy as Aristocrats.
Clergymeu had called upon him to adni-
mister religious consolation, and to recon-
cile and prepare him to die, and he com
planned they come not to pray cdh me.
but for me, sir as though was afraid,
and not prepared to dis aud did not know
tba, am at the very gates Of death; their
intentions are good, but they are Aristo-
Gratis, sir"
The din Of battle and the toll Of civil
service ended, the Hero Statesman was
calmly waiting, at his chosen home, in a
good old age, the summons Of the inexora-
bic Couqueror. Then it was that his mind,
travelling back over his varied pathway,
rested upon his mother's halIowed form
and the pious teachings which she nsti!!ed
into his boyish heart, brought forth fruit
in the repentance and turning to God Of
that stern old man. INDIVIDUAL ACCOM-
liability was the cardinal point in his re-
ligious creed, as in his public ac's-and
however much he might esteem the work
Of faith and labor Of love of Christians, in
the ministry or out Of it, he felt assured
in bis inmost soul that every one must
render up personal account for the deeds
done here in the body. Praying tor him
would not answer; praying uih him, was
grateful, and acceptable.
But from this fixed, unalicrable law
individual accountabi!ity-how our race
have strayed, ard are straying, Among
those called heather, wcrshiping creatures
instead Of the Creator is the perversion of
the true worship taught by God in his
works and latent in the conscience. II Is
a constant tendency IF Nan 10 ove VISIBLE
more than SPIRITUAL ,corsljp-ceremon-
les and ordinances, more than the things
signifed by their institution. Thus how
generally is the personal duty of repent
faith and love sought to be transferred
turned over to priests, and purchased
with money; or, personal suiferings and
sacrifices substituted for the homage Of the
mind, the crucifying of the lusts, and the
devotion of Il e affections
All forms of error agree in one thing
to steel if possible the heart against full
surrender Of its powers and love to God.
They will devote money literally, torture
the person, endure hardships, practice
'eIf-denial, charity, and every virtue-anv-
hing, anything, If the citadti can be kept free
10 serve the WHY taskmaster, SIN.
II is this innate depravl,v which blinds the
Jew from recognizing, in the meek and lowlv
Jesus, the Iong-lcoked-for Messiah. The blee-
ding sacrifice, the costly offering, the splendid
ceremonies, the gliuering Jewels, the formal
ooservances-all these are scrupulously sur
rendered; but "they will no, have This man
oH''s' Jesus to reign over them" Yet,
MOT all the blood Of beasts
On Jewish atars slain
oan give the guilty conscience near.
VI Wash away the stain
The Jewish nation is a monumrn, of ,,o-,.
1e'o'ea 10 The VISIBLE in worship-a moving
LOTS w'ie-a record Of Gods dlspeasure.
The grand fraud of Popery, is irs subs,i,,.
uon' or at best its in,erposirion, Of the Prizes,
Tor the Medaior-,he penlteace of the pr;es,
purchased for money, to expiate the offences
VI ."e SINNER ne represents! Whatever of
p''''y and true Christianity there is in the
Romish ranks, is Contrary to its grand lcaa;n,
princiPie, which virtually makes a sinfn, Man
inc almighty Savior, and penance usurp The
province oi heart-fowing and free ren.n,,nee
AND how this subtle, insinuarinv, fatal her.
esy creeps into the so-called or,hoSor p,o,es.
'ant churches, lie, the history of thousands Of
churches, in Europe and America, "havine
'ne J0rm OF godlness without the porer thereof
Dear witness! Let the eros, on the towering
spires or on the person, prove ,ha, the more
q the visible cross there is os,en,s,iousIv DIS.
lise' without, 'h. less Of the teaching Of the