The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1858-12-09
From the American Messenger
II know that Thou Eselievest.-

which Graves appropriate susteuance. Pagan
or Christisn, all men ''show the work Of the
law written in their hearts, their console n ee
also bearing Witness etc. Rom. ii Is
To the conscience, therefore, must the truth
of God BE- addressed. Said the pious Her
bert. Atheism is not cured b. disputaton .
The unbe.iever delights il argument a an
intele -ualsexereis nd claims the victory.
Blu. VIXEN spiritual weapons reach 1.-The
thoughts and in,ents OF the heart" be trem-
bles and can only say. go thy way for this
time" II .nce the wisdom OF Paul before
Asrippa. Assuming that there was light IN
the understanding. he sends his fervent ap-
peal directly to the heart Of the pompous Tu-
Ter: King Agrippa. belevest thou the
prophets I knotc hat tiog 5ellerest -
Acts XVI: 81 And 50 the apostle made
Felix tremble, las he reasoned Of righteous
ness, temperance. All judgment 70 come
Is there not often in the ministry of the
word. aud in private conversation, an error
in addressing the intellect too exclusively to
the nes,fsc. al the conscience and thu heart?
Have We followed the apps ,olc example as
''commenaiu- the truth every mans eoa-
science ia the sight OF Gols"
| had l4bored long t. 10 purpose. with a
sceD,iea friend. | had trici to answer his
/ obirc lions 10 tue truth ana necessity Of Chris
tiauitv. But at every interview the same
Obstacles were presented: ~ on have not sat
isted me shat tha-AeriptoT-s are a revelation
from Col; nJr 5ceounted for the coutradic-
tory exposition OF he same passages in every
age bv different denominations " no all pro
fass to Be- spililuslv enlightened. | cannot
advance further until these essential preiim-
inaries are ettlej. L IS a waste OF time 70
discuss Christian preeept~. 50 long as doubt
the divine origin OF the Scriptures
Weary o. the endless diSpurauon, l said
to myself: cot what use to repeat the same
arguments! | viii leave the speculative and
try the practical. III any man VIII DO his
will" said the Saviour. "he shall know Of
the doctrine whether il be OF God"
My opponent was a man Of talents. and
skil.tul disputant in his way; bu: he objected
to moral el idence in defence OF the Bible
stand upon a sure foundation rs TO your faith,
vou will not reject the evidence derived from
the Scriptures in proof Of their celestial orr
gin; iatsraaI testimony deserves examina-
ton as we'll As external evidence. Y cause
is best known from irs effect. This Is ono Of
the main tests Of moral and religious truth.
Any precept or doctrine which proves in
practice to be Of unlimited benefit TO msa-
kind, evinces itself to be true and worthy Of
acceptation.''
You may reason upon this ground" said
he, but | shall subject every argument 10
the rigid scrutiny Of reason"
Very we'll, YOU may do 50; and permit
me now 70 ask if, in reading the Scriptures,
have you not at times felt secret convict
that they must be the word Of God, and,
therefore, iuftllible MAY | not ask and an
swer the same question, "Believest thou tie
prophets? l know that thou believest"
You assume the very thing in question:
said he; Il told You that doubted the in
SEPARATION Of the Scriptures; and you affirm
taa, believe the prophets
"Wel, let me proceed. | assert that er-
cry man, whatever be his creed expects Il
naly 10 be saved; and gop lean npon such
immortal, as ycR--rufse.. to be. you
cannot look undismayed into the eternal flu
ture without some real or imag mary ground
Of confidence that you Will be accepted in
the day Of judgment. But many through the
decejtlulae>s and desperate wickedness of
the heart, VIII find their hope perish. They
rely on outward morality, on q late CONVEX
sion, on a formal profession. OF on the com
mon ground Of error, the unconditional aud
grace Of God Does such Il faith
as this tend To the holiness without which no
man shall see the Iord!. There Is way
which seemeth right unto man; but the end
thereof are the ways Of dra.L.' All the
WAYS of a man are clean in lis own eyes; bat
the Lord welgheth the spirits Prov. xiv
IL; XVI > There Is but one sure ground
of confidence; it is ileiH1 faith IN Christ.
Is this gour faith? | could not ask more
momentous question: none so directly and
inseparabIy connected with your eternal in
W., b1,tts ifrlrr yrf,r house yr0r,
a rock. or upon -'
Hold, hold, lie exclaimed; 4 am not a
Christian. a your lan-uage seems to imply;
and these questions about experimental piety
and faith are out OF place. so long as /! doubt
tha ground work OF Christianity.
rcrIie ]. perhaps we have said enough
rs to the speculative arguments which seem
50 plausible to the rndcrs .audng, anI may
CRAFTY the pride o. intellect: I appeal TO the
inner man where "'the candle OF The Lord
can never be wholly ex.;agui~hed, Is Your
hope confirmed by tile testimony Of good
coascenee2 Is the heart At rest? For if
our heart condemn Is net. ,heu have we con
iIence towards God. " John III 21
Il object sill. said he, TO this appeal to
the feelings l shall nat allow nv heart to
usurD the province oi reason. and dictate to
ne = blind faith"
81 have advanced nothing contrary 10 rea-
son: though the Things Of faith may be above
reason said, land you need the aRPrcba-
ton Of the heart as welt as lie Intellect
Excuse my earnEstssseS; it proceeds from
kindress and regard to your great useful
ness with ~snctifed talent. Ire YOU al peace
with God? Have You found a resting place
for your fears: food adapted to your spiritual
wants; sure foundation for the world to
come? Be honest with yourself. You would
not indulge hope that must perish and
leave you a wreck on the shore Of eternity.
l have now done with argument and entreaty.
II prayer on your behalf can avail. r # l
can shed light on The narrow way, this ser
vice I VIII freely give.
\ long solemn pause ensured A. length
nv sceptical friend with some emotion, re-
Piled, This IS 10 me. must confess. new
view of the subject; bnt II seems to be ra-
tianal | vii seriously examine the matter