Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-05-06
LADIgS' DEPARTMENT. .
For the Spirit Of the Age.
TO THE SOCIAL CIRCLE.
ABBATH M~UsINGs-No. 10.

SARBATH MUsINGs-No. 10.
kElieIoN, then, as taught by the Bible,
meeH ms under every variety of phases.
NO conatonl s forgotten, and to all it comes
iraught WITH the same blessed class Of prom
Uses. II mounts the throne with the dia-
DENIED monarch, and constitutes the ground
work Of hrm integrity from which the glo-
Tious structure arises of an honorable reign.
1t restraius despair, which would else arise
at poyerty's heartAstone. and lights the
brighter lamp offaithtrom its smouldering
embers. Il strengthes the PhiIanthro.
pist's heart for stern &crifees upon the
altar Of duty. 1t floats N the mellow ca
dences Of the Poets lay, AMI bears us aloft
upon its silent wings Of truthful beauty
1t swells out in the minstrers mellifuent
notes, and they rise and fall in deeper and
fuller waves ofmelody in proportion 70 the
strength Of holiness pervading its sn;y;,
II has asserted its truth amid all the ipS.n
inoble fortunes Of tbs inquisition i has
the flames encircling the victim al The
martyrs stake. 1t strengthens the falling
voice Of a dying mother, even though bid.
ding farewell to the husband of her youth
and the children Of her own body. 1t Gains
the death struggle Of robust manhood, and
enables him 10 unfaltering tones upon life's
very brink to proclaim that God is good,
Ills loving kindness endureth forever. Tt
turns the loud wall Of agony into the meek
sob OF resignation-'Thy will, oh God,
o DC done" There are no proper Joys it
does not increase certainly no woes ii does
not mitigate. Whether in health or sick
ness, life or death, wealth or poverty, love
or arrangement, it adds deeper attraction
and appreciation to the one, whilst it also
lifts the heavy burden from the other, and
weayes a glorious rainbow across the storm
lest sky. Hereafter is the christians hope.
Eternity his reward, and Faith his con-
quering weapon.
Does all this read to you, my dear young
reader, like q mere impulsive plea, or the
over Jealous ranting of an enthusiastic BIZ
got? God in Heaven forbid that my feeble,
but delightful effort to collect O few of the
jewels with which his glorious cause abounds,
should inspire any such feeling. Look We
intoit calmly, but seriously, and with search
ingattention. Viewitin all its requirements;
you will find them consistent, harmonious
and just. All Its bearings upon this
present life arc happy, loving, beautiful ;
allupon the life to come inexplicably bright,
%uufathomably glorious. You will find
therein the widest and sublimest range for
the highest intellectual, social and moral
faculties Of your nature, and realize in
your heart Of hearts that the grand object
AyOur creation is first attained when vor
ruly acknowledge the Bible as YOU
amid the shoals and quicksands o
pur saviour Christ, and your HON,
can 1t be otherwise? 1t stands GU
and with incom1arahlo grandeur
De5fvt all pagan 4systetd9 Of reigion an;
the most enlightened philosophic teachings
There are ten thousand marks by whic'
Its entire pre-eminence may be distinguish
ed. You will recognize it in the submit
of style and purity Of sentiment which pei
wade all the writings containing its divin
revelations. by its lucid exhibition Of th
most consistent and rational views Of th
character and attributes Of Deity. Byi
repeated assurance Of a future immort
state. BY its unfailing adaptation to IL
varied necessities of man, and thereby r.
commencing itself to compliance with i
own benevolent injunction that it be uu
v%ersally extended throughout the world
by pointing out the way in which sin mi
be pardoned, deliverancc from moral il
purities secured, and a irmer basis f
happiness established. BY its makiI
manifest the simplest yet the most compr
hensivc and purest system of enlighten,
morality. By its yielding the stronge
consultations under all the ills of changil
. life, and lighting the death hour until
is the brightest and happiest of all.
its rending away the mystery that won
otherwise have existed in regard to ma
Of the phenomena of our own reasons
powers. by its instructing us relative
facts, duties and doctrines, which we c
now perceive were all necessary to elev;
our fallen natures, but which no other V
ume has ever presented.
To all these claims may be added
consistency in every part, its adaptedn
to every cline that man has trod,
thorough perfectness, whether view
throughthe medium of intellectual critici
or its real mission, to elevate and imprc
the condition of creatures whom a bene
lent Creator loved. 1t forbids the use
nothing but what is injurious to the v
being Of body or peace of mind it enjo
nothing that is not almost universally
mitted to be conducive to the best, becar
highest, interests of mankind.
4 Biblereligion, aud itsrelative infuenC
makes up the beautiful chain which, "
its b%lossoming wreaths and oftimes inn
\ ceptible festoonory, links the most pri
elements of social life firmly together.
principle is society's cement. Let it
gress, and every thing, however mini
conducive to genuine earthly happin
will, likes twin-shadOw, walk by it's 81
but unlike a sombre shade, it not only
vests life's pathway with brightness,
filings a glorious arch athwart the b
charm Of death, which lights the unit,
fed soul to a blissful eternity.
LORI