The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-11-18
DANIEL WEBsTER's CONFESSION OF
FAITH

,".o ou' "'"o 'ho following letter of Daniel
Webster to Rev. Thomas Worcester, for
merly pastor of the Congregational Church.
In Salisbury, N. H., which is accompanied
with confession Of his religious faith, both
OF which a'o in his own handwriting. We
have seen Mr. Webster's name in the re-
cords Of the church in Salisbury, enrolled
among its members, if we mistake not
about the time the letter below bears date
lie remained member of that church till
his death. Tho letter and confession were
never before published. They are as follows:
~. Y. Eccnin9 Pos.
BoscAwES, August s, 1907.
Dear Sir: The other day we were con-
vers!ng respecting confession Of faith.
Some time ago wrote down for my own
use few propositions in the shapc of artc
les, intending to exhibit very short sum-
mary of the Christian religion as they in,-
press my mind. have taken the liberty
to enclose copy for your perusai.-I am
Sir, with respect, yours, DC.
d. WEBSTER.
I believe in the existence Of Almighty
God, who created and governs the whole
world. l am tauoh, this by Inc works Of
nature and the word of revelation.
l believe that God exists in three per-
sons this l learn from revelation alone.
Nor is it,any OBJECTION to this belief that
cannot eemprchcnd how oascan be Mrec
or Mreeone. hold it my duty to believe,
not what 1 can comprehend or account,
for, but what MY Maker teaches me.
I believe the Scripture cf the Old and
New Testament to be the word and will Of
God,
I believe Jesus Christ TO be Tao Son of
God. The miracles which he wrought us-
tablish in m" mind his personal authority
and render it proper for me 20 believe what
ever lie asserts believe, therefore, all lis
declarations, as well when lie declares him
self the Son Of God, as when lie declares. any
other proposition. And l believe there is
no other way Of salvation than that l!r .ual,
the merits Of his a:oncmcnt.
| believe that things past, present and TO
come, are all equally present in the mind Of
the Deity; that with him there is no success
sion Of time, nor Of ideas that, therefore,
the relative terms past, present and future
as used among men, c&nuot, with strict pro-
pr'cty, be applied Deity. believe in the
doctrines OF foreknow!cdge and rredestina-
tio", as thus expounded. do not believe
i'll those doctrines, as imposing any fatality
or necessity on mems actions, or any way in
frlnging free agency.
| believe in the utter inability OF any hu-
man being to work out his own salvation
without the constant aids Of the Spirit of
all grace
l believe in those great pcculiarites of
the Christian reIigion-a resurrection from
the dead and day of Judgement
l believe in the universal Providence Of
God: and leave 10 Epicurus, and his more
unreasonable followers in modern times, the
otSbe''eving that God made
a world which he does not take the trouble
Of govcrning.*
Although have great respect for some
o'ner iorIns OF worship, believe the Con.
mode, on the whole, toabe pre-
fera0'e e1,oy 10 any other.
pe''eve 'e.'s'on'to oe a NATTER not OF
bnt OF faith. God requires
ess1 TO give credit 10 tive truth which he
1e'ea's' no. because we can prove them, but
because LIE declares tnsn' When the
.n'aa IS reas0nao'y CONVINCED thai tho Bible
- tne "0rd OF uoo,fsne only remaining du-
'' 70 receive ''s dos.slas2sssths stu'iEcoIii-
aenc0 OF 'ae'r gapfsellce them
VII" hoE;ore Pure "eart. earl: isx5s:l;.s :
stood and ,soo;-as @ :: -. avs IS 10 DC under
~'SN