Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-08-03

pIibS 10 our knowledge aDother set OF Truths.
Here the attributes Of God are illustrated
by facts Of the deepest significance and so
plainly that be who will remain unconyinced
must actually bar the door of his mind
against them and as much is revealed as
our faculties at present immature can com
prehend. There is not a truth on which Ma
ture and Reason shed any light which is not
fully illuminated by this light from above.
Man as a sinner stands in fearful relations
to the Divine Justice, and asks
in vain from nature for any hope
of escape from penalty, for any way
Of change from a sinful to a holy being.
But from Revealed Religion stands out c
glorious truth that God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son that who
soever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life" Here Is provision
for the cure Of mans moral malady, here is
solution of the problem how God can be
just and yet justify the sinner. To this
afiir Of reconciliation Is superadded the re-
surrection OF the body, that so complete
identity may be secured for the whole man,
in his state of blessed restoration.
Possibly it may be said that having Reyel-
alton We may dispense with all outside OF it.
But God gives no light that is supernuous,
and some truths must be received as p1eIara-
ton for the truths Of Revealed religion.
What cannot stand the test OF revelation
should indeed be rejected; Of all that can.we
should avail ourselves.
In regard to the spirit of Theological In
quiry, it should be profoundly reverential,
docile as that Of a child, and perseveringly
earnest For the truths of Theology are
from God arc those with which saints and
prophets busted themselves and yet are busy;
winch the angels desire to look into; who
ever approaches them with careless thoughts
sins against Coo. Human teachers are faIli-
BE their judgements we may rightly criticisc
and if necessary r,vcrse; but the claim Of
Revelation as divine being established, with
most teachable hearts should we receive lis
authority. OF no science more than The
ology is it true that vigorous and persistent
eff,rt brings power with knowledge while
familiarity with words and phrases may be
had without much paInstakIng, well diges;cd
views are to be got by persevering earnest.
ness waxing daily stronger and stronger, by
the vigorous DUPLICATION Of all attainablc
helps; and such a course cannot fail TO
bring, with stores Of knowledge, increased
bility to use them. It deyolyos on the
Christian to labor steadily for tie buildln. up
of himself IN the most holy faith, ret all bis
efforts should be made in deepest dependence
upon Gods Grace, the influence Of His
Spirit, to guide, to guard, to quicken, to
illuminate. Let your prayer be constantly
"open thou mine eyes that l may behold
wondrOus things cut Of thy law and DO
not attempt to move a step, save in the Iath
marked out.
he speaker then proceeded to consider
the dangers bosetting theological inquiry,
which be held to be three-fold. first. the
danger Of stumbling over the mysteries Of
revelation to be guarded against by remcm-
bering that we are required to believe
only the truth, the mystery which
may be involved in It is not an object Of
faith. We believe that while man works
out his own salvation, God works 10 him .
Will and to d0,-thc mysterious method by
which this Is accomplished We must leave TO
God. DO not then stumble over the mystic
ries; be not wise above that which Is writ.
ten; wait in every place Of cloud and dark
ncss till brighter light is sent from on high.
Second, the danger Of obscuring light by
a doubtful and dreamy philosophy, of which
the literature Of Germany furnishes man
sad examples. not without parallel even IN
this country. That is not true philos5-
ply which Invades the realms Of truth. inter
ieres with the teachings Of God, and wooli
carry doubt and seep,icism into minds not
fortified against it.
Third, the danger Of contemplating Divine
truth out of its legitimate proportions, On
one side, without regard to tie harmony OF
all it's parts, and so giving the effect Of los
tive error.
Such are some Of the ends Of theological
Inquiry they have respect to the i'm
pToyement and groater usefulness Of
mankind. 1t is impossible but that tic
study Of God Truth should bring fresh
power to the mind and as it, influence en-
larges the intellect it may also sanctify the
heart. In the train of these blessed efforts
will follow happiness, usefulness, enjoyment
the harbinEer Of something brighter yet to
come.
In closing, the speaker offered to the mem
bers Of the Society has congratulations for
the combined advantages Of culture bestowed
upon them, in an institution honored by
memories OF lllustrIOus men as well as bv
faithful workers, placed in one Of the
brightest and most beautiful spots Of Gods
creation, and where provision for moral as
well as intellectual interests Is made. in
Society far Religious Inquiry. What then
remains but that you go forward to high at
tainments. remembering that your mission Is
to do good and you are in training therefor.
as each day Of your College life in its passage
tells upon your future.
The address occupied an hour in delivery.
and vas listened to with attention. The
church was filled full, and for none of the
audience was the reputation Of the speaker
anything but enhanced by ms able and in
terestlng discourse.
COMMENCEMENT.
CELEBRATION OF THE PHI BETA KAPPA.
A. . y NJ ~, T,re1o,- l.,