Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-08-07

by beY. Ut. AorreV' fresiueht oi tlc Chi'tl-
sity
The Discourse was from the text found ia
John i. l. in hias ,cas hfe and he ne
leq, tle Hqit Of the ,-or'9." Il was an ez-
position ofthe affinity existing between chris
tian truthand all other truth that comes with
in the sphere OF human knowledge. The light
rlfs.red 70 in the text has different forms Of
4 expression rs seen IN the life Of Christ upon
Earth and in the Bible, bat in this passage
we are to understand rather that
/ light which lighteth every man that cometh
into tie world, and Of which outward forms
are but on Inadequate and partial expression
+ It Sc G light which one may have and ye, be
unconscious Of it, light which shineth in
B darkness that comprehenjeth it not. 1t IS the
light which comes from the same source and
/ is essentially the sane thing as that which
ssone forth in the life Of him who took cur
+ nature end declared himself to be the light
/ Of che World The universality Of this
light leads to the conclusion that ell
5ur knowledge has 4 close affinity with
christian truth. We can in some de-
F par,mentl Of human science trace but dim
/ ly this connection, and in some perhaps it
. may ezcapc our observation, yet it Is impor-
,ont that he who would gain knowledgs
should bear this affinity in mind. We may
even assume that the knowledge Of Christ
is the proper test by which to try other
knowledge. Human knowledge becomes as
O general rule more doubtful in It's tenden-
cles as It Is separated from this knowledge.
M our satisfaction in science and our
slility to gain good from i; depend upon its
being found IN harmony with christian truth.
Pernuing with moral truth, where the
AFFINITY Is most obvious and has seldom been
disputed, we observe that the human mind,
una-sisted BY revelation, has labored earnest
n ana MT without scme success, u CON-
-uuc. perfect system Of morals. 1t would
bc doing injustice TO antiquity to deny this
Bat Ills morality imperfee,ly understood
even as it was anciently. was not exempliGed
IN tie life Of any man. The sncients strus-
elsi in vain TO cm5ody the doctrines of NOR
olitv iu q pure and virtuous life. NJ one
. of them eyer could attain such perfection,
though feeling it, need 50 deeply that
heathen philosopher fore-told that such on one
world vet appear even if he must come from
above. upon this mission. To NEE. want 50
deeply felt, Christ came in the flesh. His
I'c embodied system Of pure morality.
lis ozpiatory death removes the weight of
guilt and siufulncss and LAYS q foundation on
which wc may build and which renders
mans recovery from bis Lost estate possible
The speaker proceeded 20 take general
yiow Of what Christianity has Effected
While has been pretended that these
changes arc not radical but only superficial
in their nature, and that the nations or
Cbris,endom are really no better to-day than
were tho ancients, a comparison Of modern
ana ancient Institutions. manners and GUS
toms, does not sustain this assertion but dis
proves il
The affinity Of philosophical Truth 70
Chrisrianir- was dwolt upon ct length, ana
the two great Deficiencies OF philosophy, i's
negative character I'D Is lack Of any cen
tral r1in, from which 20 proceed in is spec
citations, were pointed o1t. As it can pre-
sent no positive solutions Of the problems
whi,h It would solve, it has need Of reval2-
zion While it may demonstrate that the
world could not exist without Creator, 1t
must look to revelation to he assured Of TIE
personality and Of many Of the attributes
Of that Greater.
The affinity Of the truths Of physical SCI
ence to Christianity was also elucidated -
Christianity S check upon the wild theories
Of some physicists, though in its spirit IA
voring the largest liberty Of scientific inves-
tigation.
The discourse was an exceedingly clear
and able one. ard we hope it will be pub
lished
In closing, the speaker addressed the srl-
drating class as follows
And now, At the cioss Of this discourse, let me
remind YOU, young men Of the Senior Glass,
who have been pursuing kHorle3ge here through
$ regular course Of study, and who are only
I waiting for your degrees 70 take leave Of Us snd
/ Of each other, perhaps forever, let me remind
YOU at this solemn moment, when I speak to you
I the last words Of instruction that | shall ever
I address 10 you together. that knowledge is not
/ the principal thing, but lriS9om. You cannot
/ have this, 10 he sure, without also having the
other; but you msy have the other. or think you
/ have il, and yet fail Of having tins. But the
highest wisdom IS 70 kHole the Lord Jesus Christ,
| BY experiencing in your hearts, the power Of his
/ saving truth. This wisdom would be safeguard
I to you against al the false philosophers and
I misguiding theories, which beset the young nan
| Of education on all sides, As soon as lac steps
| forth into the world.
/ beg Of you, my young friends, not to think
! that the words Of advice now give you are said
/ merely in compliance with the formality Of this
/ occasion | always have felt that the moment you
l have now come 10 was a solemn one, when every
[ word spoken should come directly from thespeak-
ers heart or he had better not attempt to say any
thing May the Lord enable me to say something
tuat snhl ues not merely sulttne 10 tle occt- on
l but word in season, coming from my heart and
reaching yours by the power Of His gracious
| Spirit.
What IA al the knowledge you have gained
since you have been here in College worth. if
it be not sanctifed by religion' Many young
man has gained all you have gained here, and
has then gone forth and gained still more, aud
has never been able to do anything with il, either
for his own earthly advantage, or for the world.
Think Of IT, my friends. how uncertain life s I;
and then think OF it sgaIn, that If It be
spared to you for ever 90 long time, and if
every day Of it should be Witnessing some ad-
di;ion to your knowledge, how poor an account
you must have TO render at last, Il none Of this
life and none Of this knowledge has been eonse-
Grated to God. your Maker. and to the c1ase Of
Christ your Reieener
Think at what & tine, and under what . con-
iition Of the affairs Of the country yoI love.
and, as have no doubt. would be glad to serve
If there was anything you could do, il IS your lot
to 20 forth from this retirement into tns place Of
action These are times in which zsr are called