Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-10-12
Daniel webster's Confession Of Faith.

DIR. Smith Of Concord, N. IT,. has put into our
hand the following letter of Daniel Webster 10
Rev. Thomas Worcester, formerly pastor OF the
Congregational Church In Salisbury. n. H..
which Is accompanied with a confession OF his re.
ligious faith, both Of which are Ia his own hand
writing. Wo have seen Mr.. Webster's name in
the records Of the church In Salisbury. enrolled n.
mong its members, if wo mistake nut, about The
time tho letter below bears date. lle remained q
member of that church till his DEATH The letter
and confession were never before published. -
They are ~ follows:
BoscAwRx. August 8, 1907.
Dear Sir The other day wo were conversing
respecting confessions Of faith. Some time ago
wrote down for my own use few propositions
in the shape ot articles intending to exhibit ye-
nv short summary of tho doctrines Of the Chris
,an religion ~ they imprcss my mind. have To-
kea the liberty TO enclose copy for your poru-
sui am, air, with respect yours &s
Iboliove In the existence Of mighty God who
created and governs tho whole world. ] am
taught this by the works Of nature and the word
of revelation. ...-t.
believe that God exists 10 three persons; this
| learn from revelation alone. Nor ID 1t any OBJ
lection to this belief that I cannot comprehend
how one can be three or three one. hold II my
duty TO believe, not wha. ean comprehend or ao-
count for. but what my Maker teaches me.
believe tho Scriptures Of the Old and New
Testament TO bo the will and word Of God.
believe Jesus Christ To be the Son Of Cod
Tho miracles which he wrought establish Ia my
mind. his personal authority, aud render II prop
er for me to believe whatever he asserts; heleve
therefore, all his declarations w well as Wien he
declares himself tho Son Of God. M whom he de-
clares any other proposition. And believe there
is no other way of salvation than through the
merits of his at0nement.
believe that things past, present, and to come
are all equally present in tho mind Of the Deity;
that with him there is no SUCCESSION OF time. nor
of ideas; that therefore. the relative terms past.
present und future, as usod among men, cannot,
with strict proprioty, be applied to. Diety. DO.
licyc in the doctrines Of ioreknowledge and pre-
destination, Us thus oxpoundod. do not believe
in those doctrines, as imposing any fntaity or ne
ccssity on mems actions, or any way infringing
free agency.
believe in the utter inability of any human be-
ing to work out his own salvation without tho
constant aids of the Spirit of all grace.
| believe in those great peculiarities of the
Christian rcligion--a resurrection from the dead
aud day of Judgment
believe in the universal Providence of God !:
and leave to Epiourus, and his more unreasonable
followers in modern times. tho inconsisten ENJOY of
believing thnt God made world which he does
not take the trouble of governing"
Although havc great respect for somo other
forms or worship, | believe the Congregation
nj mode, on the whole, to be preferable to any
other
believe religion to bo matter not of lsmon-
strnton, but of faith. God requires ne ta give
credit 10 the truths which he reveals not because
we can prove them but because lilo declares them.
When tho mind is reasonably convinced that tho
Bible is the word Of God, tho only remaining duty
is to receive its doctrines with full confidence
of their truth, and practice them with n pdre
heart.
believe TINT the Bible is tn be understood and
received in the pnn and obvious meaning of its
passages; since cannot persuade myself that
book intended for the instruction and conversion
Of the whole world, should cover it's true meaning
in such mystery md doubt that none bat critics
and philosophers can discover it,
believe that the experiments and subtletios OF
human wisdom are more likely to Obscure than to
enlightened the revealed will Of God. and that no is
tho must accomplished. Christian scholar who hath
been educated mt the feet of jesus and in the Col
lcse of Fishermen.
! believe that all true religion consists in the
heart nnd h. affections and that therefore, all cree 10
and confusion are falble and uncertain evidences
Of evangelical piety.
Finally, believe that Christ hns imposed on all
hs disciples life of active benevolence that he
who refrains only from what he thinks to be sinful
has performed but part. and a smal! part Of his
dutythat he is bound TO do good and communicate
to love his neghbor, to give food and drink to his
enemy, and to endeayor 40 far as in him lies, to
promote peace, truth, and piety, and happiness In
u wicked and forlorn world, believing that in the
great day that is TO there will DO other STAN
dard Of mert,no other criterion of character than
that whchis already established Z" BY their frnts
ye shall know thcm."
*Dr. Sherlock.