The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-03-31

vine tlllS age Nus I)Touuceu.
The trcatisos and sermons of Mr.. Ed
wards were chiefly written to meet some
particular exgcncy, or to vindicate some
truth that was attacked, or that he thought
needed support. They arc therefore all
em:nently practical, notwithstanding the
metaphysical nature of most OF them
They adhered strictly to the poll at issue,
and SO thoroughly exhaustive were they,
both in argument and in application, that
the questions he wrote upon have been
very little eontroverted since, on the nigh
ground of argument, though often ienor-
cd in practice. No one has been found
boil enough to attack the positions where
he put forth his strength. There has
been, certainly, some skirmishing about
the outposts, and sometimes it has been
thought that some impression had been
made upon the main citadel; but when
the smoke of the encounter cleared up n
little, there it stood, impregnable and
nothing wavering. 1t has been well re-
marked that it was easier to forget than
to ansuer, his arguments.
Ouuoi Iho iuliuciCc vi LIS WRITINGS,
New England theology assumed a cohe-
rent and systematic shape. Doctrines,
which before he supported them, had
gradually grown unpopular, and which
even the clergy were not inclined to put
foremost or to openly avow, presented
by his clear understanding and demonstra-
ted to be in accordance with scripture and
conformable to reason, were gladly ac-
certad by all orthodox christians in New
England and elsewhere that his views be-
came known. Indeed, it is not too much
to say, that to the Edwardses, father and
son, is owing, more than to any other
human Source. the hold which the doc.
trines of New England orthodoxy, have
upon the hearts and understanding of the
American people. We can trace the re-
suits of that belief through all the rami-
fications of American society. 1t has civ.
en- tone to the colleges of New England,
and to many at the West 1t has con-
contributed to the firmness of character.
and the adherence to principle, and the
obedience to conscience, that have ever
characterized the descendants of tho Pill
grilns. 1t has made them men whom
no impulse could unbalancc, no tcmpta-
ton seduct, no ision depiave, no error
vitiate, an no illusion mislea1. If cour-
age in the defence of Truth, if staunchness
in the defence of Right, if firmness in the
discharge of duty, If zeal in religion, f
earnestness in philanthropy, if devotion
to God, and love to man, are desirable
qualities, either in individuals. Or N -,
tons, then are the peo ,,,.o of the Initial
ot'''eS lore to be eny.ed than any other
and for the possession of which, in the
fullness Ct Their present enjoyment, they
arc immcasurably indebted to the life and
writings of Jonathan Edwards.
The influence of Franklin must be look.
ell for in quite another sphere. AS he dealt
with the material and the outward, -witf
the concrete ard the actual, we must
| look for the embodiment of his thouoh,
and labor in the realized institution. II
the wise provisions of our writ, N consti-
buttons, in the benefcent le yislation. anG
the maxims of honesty, prudence, indus
try end virtue, which have rendered tn,
American government a model for otbe,
nations to copy, AMI made the American
character so distinguished for efficiency.
energy, tact, and sagacity. Doubtless
there was q tendency in American mind
towards these qualities, but the fact does
not materially lessen the power of Frank
Inns example, inasmuch as he ch,ystaI-
lied the plastic, undeveloped mass of mind
arounl him into deterlninate forms of
a higher manhood, that vi go down to
the end Of time. Some persons haue tho't
they could discover in his life and max.
inns to- narrow spirit of caleulation-tc
much devotion to the immediate - and
too little of that enthusiastic and aspirino
nature that usually characterizes most
men who are truly great. Leigh Hunt
places him "at itnit hheala. Ct thnse who
think that man Ives by bread alone" and
some have gone so far even as to assert
that the money getting spirit SO prevail, mt
amongst us, can be ascribed in great
measure to his influence.
I Now | do not wish to claim that Frank
In satisfies orr highest ideal ef character
1t is true that our sympathics do 90 out
most gladly towards the genius that is
spontaneously and unconsciously NANTES
ted. Yet, when look at the character
of the man, ana contemplate the amount
ofpractical COOL he achieved. his upright.
ness, self-sacr.fce, and devotion to tho
public good, the great truths he vindi.
Gated, and the prosperity and general
welfare he initiated in thousands of instan.
ces, [ cannot believe that Franklin him
self was without an ever-present desire
to help forward the greatest possible good
and that he would have deprecated the in.
ference that has sometimes been drawn
from his example. It's true that he new.
err wasted his energies in attempting
what was not practicable, and in this very
fact, showed his Judgment and wisdo n
He could discern beforehand what was
chimerical, and hence the enterprises
which he did approve and undertake
were almost invariably successful. Those
who tried to engage his cooperation in
schemes which he forcsaw were unattain
able, naturally called his clear insight the
narrowness Of prudonce Butin bis OWL
person he gave the denial to all such es
Inmates of himself. He early felt, as ev
cry other man does who rises from hum
BILE beginnings to positions of trust and
honor, the importance of diligence and
economy. These qualities, together with
temperance and sobriety, he always in