The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-08-07

; may be abused. and this has been the ca
with tho Christian religion. 1t has be
pressed into service for which it was ne
or designed; yea, it has been pcrerl
to sanction deiigns as dark rs the aidd
Of Erebus. 1t is therefore, disingcnuo
and artfnl sophism to say that Christian
ty has an evil tendency, because some i
discreet persons or painted hypocrit'
have corrupted its design. Good ina
become evil by an improper use, and v
can make an unlawful use Of that, whic
| in its own nature, is lawful. We cannc
exist without water, yet thousands peris
in this element; and thus that which wa
designed for our life, often becomes til
means of our death. Fire Is good, bu
when the inccndiary sets tho house o.
fire and consumes the inmates, 1t the
produces evil. Now, in this case, who !
in fault--tho frc, or he who pcrvcrtc'
itstise Its cctRn that mo- moral syn
TEN was ever devised which is so lnucl
opposed to all that can mar the happines
Of man as is the gospel Of Christ. Itgive
10 virtue its most encouraging hopes;-
impenitent vice its greatest fears, ant
godly sorrow its sweetest consultations
Without true religion all moral obliga
tons would be without asanction. Hence
YOU should be convinced that those mer
who tell us that religion is hostile to oul
happiness, do it with malignant inten'
ton. They spread false colors over the
fair face Of religion. With deep subtilty
they cndeavor TO make it appear odious
and despicableto those who have not pen.
ctration enough to discern their impious
fraud. From what has been said, II ap-
pears that an evil star must have directed
your course when you fell in with those
skeptical associates, or ran ath,cart those
Dcistical and fallacious writings.
Dropping any farther arguments, ]
shall dwell for few moments on more
congcnial subject.
Now, whatever view we may take OF
human life, it is evident we ought to
"walk thoughtful, on that silent, solemn shore,
Oflhat vast ocean We must sail so soon."
Our life is often compared to royaye.-
1t is indeed poydge to eternity, attend
ed with many perils and hardships. The
sea over which we pass, at first view, ap-
pears unr'iffled and enchanting; but be-
meath its smooth appearance lies conceal
ed many shoals, quieksands and rocks |;
and thousands in their attempts to reach
the distant shore have been wrecked and
lost. Upon this ocean you and / have
and If we reject the Scrip
lures, the only chart on which is dclineated
the due direction of our voyage, We are
like the mariner Oh the broad ocean with.
out helm, line, compass or chart-nay,
more, We arc on that ocean, where We
shall have to encounter many dark nights
and tremendous storms-and where We
shall be in danger, on the iarboam hand,
Of being drawn into fatal gulf; and on
the stdrbodrd hand Of being dashed OH
hidden reefs. Happy arcthey, my friend,
who in this important voyage make every
needfil outft-take Christ for their COM
mander, and the Bible for their chart
Such, and such only, shall weather all
danger, outridc every gale, finally make
the highlands of Heaven, and safely ar
rive at the port of endless joy in the
Empire Of glory. You are still on the
voyage Of time, and II You have not as
yet hauled your ,cind, let me say you are
not aware Of your danger. You see not
that reef under your lee. Call all hands,
down your helm-brace up sharp-shect
home, and hoist your topsails and top
gallant sails-aboard main tack, off main.
sheet-hoM all you get and belay-cyc
The weather leech of your foretopsail-
Nothing of-gct everything secure-kecp
A sharp lookout, and you may yet wealth
rr that reef that stretches along under
your Ice. Bear a hand-you have no
time for delay. If you continue your
present course, the next hour you may
strike and all is lost forever! But, il in
despite ofthesc prcmonitions, you arc still
resolved 10 stand on your COURSE, I would
cntrcat you once for all, to look ahead !!
look sharp! Do YOU not see ahead, and
extending far on your starbodrd bow that
fearful ledgel 1t is the ledge Of final
ubelie? Look again! do you not sec
another ledge, which meets the former,
and extending far on your iarboard bor,
scene which should make
the heart of the boldest mariner trcmble |;
it is the ledge Of final impcnitencc.-
Throw over lead, and you will be con-
vinccd of what say. Down then, be.
seech you, down with Sour helm! The
fell destroyer is throwing ont false lights
to deceive you! Overhaul your Bible,
your only guide, and you will be convinc-
cd it is time to luff-you will find that a
dense fog hangs over this coast BY which
many an unwary mariner has been blind
cd and lost in the guy Of perdition
IT, my friend, you still retain those un.
favorable views Of the Scriptures and
Christianity you did when / Last saw You,
/ sincerely advise you to eiear.your decks,
cut your cables, and s,oing Of from those
skeptical associates in your trdteh-and
il you still have on board your bark any
of those eontrabdnd books, make bonfire
ofthem, and burn them to the rater's
edge. And though in such eours you
may encounter head sea, yet by the
breezss of divine grace you will be able to
stem the tide Of all opposition and prose
cute the voyage Of life on an ewn Keel.
What is there on earth worthy Of atten-
ton, were It not for the hope Of immor-
tality beyond the limits Of time, and it is
only through the medium Of that gospel
skeptics affect to despise, that this sublime
hope is brought to light. $50. q
Ny dear sir, do not know whether
you will receive what have written in
good part or not-yct ! thought TO bear