The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-05-22
Tho JOY of Religion,

In the World Of Man there IL nothing 90
rj7yous as real natural religion, Il IA the
oentremost Of all delights, Other high joys
are branches, this the root they run hack ,n
spring out Of and grow up from. feel
gratitude 10 many man and woman who
has helped me in my life, hut to none such
/ thaukfuress a. ! owe 70 my mother, my faith
en- my sister, for the pains they took to de,
yelop this innermost Of all the facts Of Con
seriousness | cannot remember the earliest
twilight Of religion when first the "dOyspdng
from on high" not even the rising Of that
sun which sheds such light 10 all my being.
| trust II will not reach is noon until have
seen some four or five score years, but will
rise higher shining with more perpendicular
glory until end my mortal lfe For rslig
ion grows not old. Like God, II aourishes in
perpetual youth.
too have experienced the higher joys n
lie thereof not many men knoShetter what
Is great In bulk few more What issnice aud
exquisite in kind Have science, letters
success, JOY TO give' know il reason
ably well. j. there joy in oontcnding with
di0ieuluss7 ! have had my part. Are there
pleasures Of affection ? have tasted from
that golden cup, and by those love can
drink yienriously at many spring my lips
directly never touch. But dear and. blessed
ns are al these things, count them cheap
compared with my delight in God. These
could renounee and still be blessed, at least
uab ltsl 10. gka Eat Il
Mother Of the world, TO feel shut out from
that casual and proyidential Love, which ere
ate all from itself should go mad and die Al,
once or live q maimed, brutal life, and perish
like fool but Of this deep joy, | cannot
speak save In the most general terms, 'Tis
profnns to talk Of such things even TO most
intimate friends. The handsome shapes Of
our inncrmost life are chastely veilcd from all
the world there | am my own high priest,
and into that Holy Of Holes none but my.
self and Thou, oh God car ever come.
Does not mankind also rate It's religious
consciousness thus high Whom does il
honor most' Always iti heroes Of the soul
Men with genius for religion. Such men rs
Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Mobammcd they ace
above all human names None else have
such millions howing thereto, none others
are worshipped so as Gods. How thankful
We are to whoever brings religious truths /!
Mankind is loyal. and when il sees its King,
takes him TO its heart and honors him forcv-
cr. Thankful to those who helped us, with
whn, sympathy do we look on persons trying
to attain religious excellence, No romance is
so attractive 20 us all as the story Of man
longing amer God and seeking rest for the
soul. How do YOU and !, seeing such, wish
TO go to this child crying in the darkness, wet
and numh with cold and like a great Saint
Christopher 20 take him on our shoulders
and thus ferry him across the stream warm
ing his limbs while we bear him wrapped in
our mantle and then put candle in his Ian
"ti6d speed yHU, WY bruthrr ~ witt find
day bye and bye"
When a great truth stirSthc feelings inf
mite with us, how do We love to show the
cause thcrcofIto other men, ard set slips
from the tree Of life in their gardeas to make
n new Paradise Worldly ambition is singu-
lnr-for itself alone the passion Of love is
duul-for him and herr but the affection Of
religion is uniyorsal.plural, embracing God
and all his world within rejoicing arms. Moth.
ing is so socializing as piety my Father and
my Mother, they are also yours.
No man is complete without the culture Of
the religious element no high faculty pcrfec,
without help from that. ! sec great natural
lists without it, great politicians, great artists I;
not great men Nay, their special science,
politics, art, is less philosophic, statesman
like. aesthetic, for lack Of this wholcneSs and
thorough health within the mans interior
The notes of music, ground out on hand
organ in the street, tell me If their composer
had ever listened to the quiring ofthesc birds
Of Paradise.
When sec a man, else grand and beauti-
ful, with trnnseendent mind and conscience
and affections too, but lacking this ultimate
finish Of religion, long TO plant therein the
soul of picty, which shall complete the whole
and so make perfect every pNrt-mastcring
the world Of time, but not diSdaiuing it.
Theodore Parker.