The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-07-08

ence, in the living power of the mstruc-
ton it imparts; and no experience like
that which wells up in consciousness as
part of the very life of the soul.
But there is a different line Of argu-
ment taken from our mental constitution,
which points unerringly to the same con-
clusion; 1t IS drawn from the adaptation
of mans faculties to the serving of spe-
eial ends If we were so made as to be
fitted for nothing, there would be moth
ing for us to do. We might then very
properly conclude, that like broken
wheel or worn-out plough we were in
tended to be cast out. with the useless
rubbish of the world: and anomalous as
our case might be, we might acquiesce in
our fate and give ourselves no concern
about the future.
But suehis not our condition. Man S
eomDlieated struetnra. nssllss-zso- r1ossaes
deplorable necessity. Even to our feeble
apprehensions, without the light of Rev
elation, there come sad intimations that
we are not what we were; there is lin.
gering feeling O. some lofty dignity that
once was ours, but is ours no longer, and
shadowy impression that at some point
in the history of our race some mighty
upheaval shattered the beautiful fabric
of our nature, and introduced chaos
where nothing but order reigned before :
but ruined as we are, and know ourselves
to be, enough of our former glory re-
mains to tell us, that we are noble even
in our ruin; and that from the dust of
centuries and the sins of ages there still
survive faculties, affections, capacities,
and susceptibilities, which demand, and
cry out for, something around which they
may gather, for which they may be called
into living, healthful activity, and by
which they may be trained higher and
yet higher,-even as the creeping vine
will seek some fostering tree, and fling
its grateful arms around its trunk, that
it may lift itself up from the earth and
inhale a purer air and brighter sun
light.
have not the time, the space, or the
ability to give you an exhaustive analy
sis of all our various powers, together
with the particular purpose that each
one is fitted to subserve. But what has
been stated above in the general, may be
verified in very many particulars by any
one who will take the pains to examine
the wonders of his soul. Itneeds only a
patient eye to discover, that Our minds,
no less than our bodies and no less than
the other material organisms of creation,
bear marks of a design on the part of
our Creator that a0e should have part
to perform, an end to serve, destiny to
work out.
And this indeed, connected as it is
with our moral agency, gives grandeur
to man, which belongs not to the splen-
dors of Orion, or even to all the constel-
lations that food the heavens with their
twinkling rays. They, it is true, have
never wandered from the path along
which they were first impelled by crea-
tive power, while eOe have wandered, sad
ly wandered, and preserved only the
memory of what we were; they still keep
up the same stately march that they be-
gan, "when the morning stars sang to-
gether, and all the sons of God shouted
for Joy, while man has broken ranks,
and now follows an unsteady, devious,
and erratic course: but our glory, if we
appreciate it rightly, is greater than
theirs. They yield blind, unconscious
obedience to the commands of an mex
orable, natural law; but man, as a ra-
tional agent, is called upon to give his
free assent to a nobler law, AID in doing
this, while he still serves "a end, he ad-
vauces in the scale Of being and is con-
tinually ascending to higher and yet
higher spheres.
l cannot dwell upon these thoughts.
They are but suggestions which an ADLER
hand, more patient study, and larger
limits might expand to a much greater
volume. And yet 1 fatter myself, they
are sufficient for my present purpose.
Whatever else they may be worth, they
at least teach "that every thing serves
an end" They show that the universe
is alive with arguments enforcing on eve
ry side the great duty of having our
lives fixed upon principles of order, and
directed to the attainment of some def
mite object,
And for myself, shall be satisfied if
they succeed in deepening your own con-
victions upon this subject, and in attract
ing with happy results the attention of
any who may be living in forgetfulness
of their solemn responsibilities to their
Maker. Many, very many, who might
be blessings to their generation, enter
upon life, as though it was social even
ing which they have the right to waste in
the pursuit of nothing; and as they be-