The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-11-23
ienm Ire AeM Anrk tlhscffssr.
DANIEL WEBsrER'S confession OF
FAITH


pASIEI. WEBsrER'S CONFESSION OF
FAITH.
DIR. Smith, OF Concord, y. H., has publish
ed the following letter Of Daniel Webster to
Rev. Thomas Worcester, formerly pastor of
the Congregational Church IN Salisbury, y.
H., which are accompanied with a cnnfes-
sion OF his religious faith, both Of which are
in his own hand writing. We have seen Mr..
We6sters name in the records OF The Church
in Salisbury, enrolled among its members,
If we mistake not, about the time the letter
below bears date. He remained a member
of that church until his DEATH. The letter
and confession were never before published.
They are as follows:
Boscaweni August Z 1907.
DEAR SIR: The other day we were con-
tersing respecting confessions Of faith Some
time ago wrote down for my own use few
propositions in the shape Of articles, inlend-
ing TO exhibit very short summary OF the
doctrines Of the Christian religion as they
impress my mind. have taken the liberty
to enclose copy for your perusal.
am, sir, with respect, YOURS, &C.,
D. WEBSTER.
believe in the existence Of Almighty
God, who created and governs the whole
world. | am taught this by the works oil
nature and the word Of revelation.
believe that GBd exists in three persons !;
this learn from revelation alone. Nor is
it any objection to this belief that | cannot
comprehend how one can be three or three
one. hold it my duty to believe, not what
can comprehend or account for, but what
nv Maker teaches me.
believe the Scriptures Of the Old and
New Testament to be the will and word Of
Gud.
I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son Of
God. The miracles wich he wrought estab-
lish. in my mind, his personal authority, and
render il proper for me to believe whatever
he asserts; believe. therefore. all his de-
clarations, as well when he declares himself
tie Son nf God as when he declares any 9TH
err proposition. And | believe there is no
b,hsr way 81 salvation than through the mer-
its Of his atnnempnf.
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 am0ng men, cannot. with strict pro.
prieiy. be applied 10 Deity. | believe in
lie doctrines 81 foreknowle,lge and predes-
tlnatiUn, a. thus expoanded. ! do not be:
lieye 10 those doctrines A. imposing any "A
tllitY or necessity IN mems actions, or any
way Infringing Tree agency.
believe IN tas attsr inability Of any hU-
man being to work mt his own salvation
without the constant aids Of the spirit OF al
gface.
believe in those great peculiarities o
lie Christian religion resurrection from
tae dead anil iay of judgment.
believe II the universal Providence q
God and leave to Epicurus, and his more
unreasonable followers IN modern times, the
Inconsistency Of believing that God made a
world which he does not take the trouble o.
governing.
Although have great respect for some
other form, Of worship, ! believe the Gan.
gregalional mode. On tie whole, 70 be pre-
ferable ID any other.
believe religion not 10 be matter d
demonstration but ef faith. God requires
us 70 give credit to the truths which he re-
teal., NOT because We eau prove them, bui
because lie declares them. When the miud
j. reasonably c0usineet that the Bible . ID,
word Of God, The only remaining duty j. 4
receive IL. doctrines with foil confidence o
their truth, and practice them with paf,
heart.
believe that the Bible il 10 be unIerstoo,
and received IN the plain and obvious mean
ing u l.. passages. since cannot perspad
myself that book intended iOr the instr1e
ton add conversion Of the whole world shnHli
cover IL. true meaning ~ such mystery an
doubt tina, none but critics aud philosopher
can discover u.
believe that the experiments and subtle
ties 0l human wisdom are more likely /
obscure thsa 10 enlighten the revealed ail
I'll God, and thar be j. the mnst accomplished
Christian scholar siio hath been educated !
tie leei Of Jesus, and in the College Of Fish
etmpu.
believe that al true religion consists q
the heart aad the affections, aud that there
f1se all creed. anll confessions are isllabl
aud unceftaiu evidence. II evangelical pltts
Finally, believe that Christ has imposes
Oh All his disciples life u attlte beneyn
lsncg; that he WHO refrain. ahly irpn via
Le think. 10 be sinful has Pstiafmei bat
mart II II. d1ty that lie Il b0gni - q, gog'
and communicate. 10 love his neigiher. {
give iaad aud drink TO his enemy, aud &
Tndra,or. - Ear I. ~ him lies. TO prnmeii
peace. truia, plety. aud happipes. "a wick
ed AMI lyri1Fn aafid, believing that 10 tii
great dsy a.8cii j. 70 come there will be q
Sihct standard ii merit, 10 other triteriDi
n, rharar I'M. than fhat which u already -
,,b,rhcJ. ~ Tier hglts yc sbail kns'
titm.'
. Dr. shstlO,s.
$1,000.