Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-03-11

one great cause of this rashness is resting
on them. 1t vas the design of the Crea-
tor that His followers should labor prima-
rily, for the conversion of sinners and in
duce others, by their exemplary conduct,
to become reconciled to His name. But
do they not often exert contrary inhu-.
ence Are they not frequently more
eager to procure earthly Substance than
non professors Do they not often refuse
to contribute to Chrst's cause his own ap-
pointed means? Hence the worship Of
the u liy Is often Improperly conducted
The temple Of the Most High is seldom
complete /, while The Legislative haH spark
lts WI tn all that wealth can procure The
mind is so constituted that it cannot fail
to be pleased with external beauty and
symmetry, and if this is necessary for the
production of a happy effert 10 secular af-
fair, is it not also in ecclesiastical? How
often do we see ministers in the sacred
st ind who are scor he'd by the rays of a
burning Sun aud whose thoughts are ab-
stracted by the physical labor they are
compell d to perform ia procure a support?
| Who will deny that they oft en- express the
most sublime ideas, the beauty of which is
entirely faced by the words in which they
/ are clothed? Who will deny that they
often fail to accomplish much good in con-
sequence of the Want ofan education which
the Church is under obligations to bestow
upon them? Who would dare place an
illiterate man in the chair of state to ad-
, minister on the affairs of his country?-
Are not those subjects which involve his
eternal interest much more important?-
If an education is necessary for the clear
exhibition of truth in the former case2 is
1T not much more SO in the latter? Is not
the Author of the Bible omniscient p
Does not this sacred Volume contain the
r most sublime and profouad ideas that were
8 ever expressed and does it not require
the most favorable circumstances to pro-
t pound them in their pure light? Then let
christians cease to cling SO tenaciously to
s the world and devote their time and talents
: to the extension of Christ's cause and the
t benign Dymph, religion, will shine forth in
such unsullied luster that sinners will for
e sake their evil way and embrace the holy
a truths which she inculcates. Then will
q the miser's gold rust no more in concealed
J. heaps but flow through the channels of be-
e neyolence. 1t will then be employed in
n converting the bacchanalian revel into the
t. sweet psalms of David, and erecting the
n sanctuary of the Most High en- the ruins of
IS heather temples. Then will the midnight
er assassin bury his dagger; the blood thirsty
b warrior sheathe his sword the deist and
r atheist renounce their creed and bow before
D. the force of truth Then will the din Of
ID battle cease; broils and contentious be
of heard no more, aud the wide domains, now
t. dcsecrated by idolatry, shine resplendent
IL with the christians hope OIL where is
ne the miud so callous; so contr acted so ig
ne noble, that it does not desire the speedy ap
,r- proach of this period? Where is the indi-
r. vidual that bears the name of christian that
Is does not feel willing to exert all his pow
,e- ers Ill the noble work ofrevolutionizing the
ng world I! Suppose the Sun was blotted ou
ms OF the planetary system! What might,
void it would leave in the natural world
in All BEAUTIES OF nature would be shroud
til ed in perpetual night. NJ lnkind, deprive.
ne OF all the important advantages arisin,
ne from the exercise of the organ of sight,
as would grope in Chaotic darkness. Th
ed healhea can form no correct idea of thei
Ire origin; OF right or wreng /; or t cir obi
rn CATION to their Maker, and are rushin
tn headlong down the steep prscipiee of sil
Iys to eternal despair. IL is within our powe
wi to place in their moral horizon a luninar
SO which will exhibit to them not only th
Sc beauties of nature marred by the imperfec
in ton, of this low world but reveal the pat
ere Of duty which leads to the never fadin
les beauties of the celestial courts.
nd Take from me peeuniary advantages
ore bury Inc deep in obscurity; yea, plung
of me in the darkest dungeon, and yet wi
md l covet the high honor OF laboring to plac
lgs this luminary in the benighted heathe
oul world; which luniuary will never ceas
1ti- to emit its regenerating scintillations unit
ial- every foul trace Of superstition and ever
the vestige of idolatry are consumed by th
ent holy fire of Gospel truth. ask not fl
personal charms. They fade like the morl
ing glory before the noouday sun. l as
'ss' not for earthly renown. 1t is only ba1
bic which floats awhile on the public breez
sun and then sinks in the boundless sea of o.
the livion. ask not for sparkling gems an
de- glittering wealth. They are too poor /
'Ver engross the thoughts of mind that mn
OF run parallel with eternity. But do as
lion the noble boon to be enabled by divine a
this to spend this feeting life in winning sou
um- to my Savior's service and to be permittt
will to cast at His feet in the city of the ne
alse Jerusalem coronet studded with immc
now tai gems that will show forth His prai
to and display His honor throughout an en-
eeiy less eternity. Christians, this inestimat
nleh privilege is ours then let Us unitedly G
His gage in sketching picture which will
SO replete with the glowing colors of bent
ned olent action that all the world will delig
3 Ct to gaze on it. Apicture every dying sa
his will press closely to his breast as he lal
no ches on the rough billows of cold Jord
rap and which he will recognize when be
from ters the threshold of heaven gilded by
9rms never fading efulgence of faith, hope .
aieh love. ESTHER
saled
nifty Prolific. A Mrs Russell, of Simp
,uId lo.,,tr ~ racAntlv yava birth fo a +