The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-11-11

Love TO THE CREAToR.-This feeling,
which lies at the foundation of all reli-
gion, may exist in two forms, as senti-
mont and as principle. When any inn
pulse arises in the mind, tho will must
Jake action upon it; if it approves, and
resolves to encourage it, and act accord
ing to its promptings, it then becomes a
principle. But if the impulse be sighted,
or INDUCED as mere feeling, and not
suffered to work. itself out into action,
then it dies out, or exists only as vague
and dreamy sentiment. Thus we often
find persons who intellectually appear to
possess this sentiment of love to the
Creator, without its exhibiting any active
power; and there are those who can
speak touching and sublime expressions
on the subject, while indulging in the
most unworthy conduct. Just as in na-
ture, though no rose could blossom with
out the vital energy that only the Author
of Creation can impart, yet no garden can
thoroughly please the eye, without the
care of man to dress and to keep it; SO
the feeling of love to God implanted in
the hearts must be nourished, it it's infu-
ence is TO be maintained. s
The feeling of love within us is only
available when used by our own free
choice and will and determined energy of
action. Socrates asked an atheistic friend
IF he had not observed that man is never
so well disposed to serve the Deity as in
that part of life when reason bears the
greatest sway, and the Judgments in it's
full strength and maturity, and that those
kingdoms and commonwealths most re-
nowned for their wisdom and antiquity
are those whose pety and devotion have
been the most observable. Every man
must have some ruling principle; every
character some ruling force. Goodness
can never be negative, or simply inno-
cent. II must be positive and earnest.
We love innocence in child, but strong,
active, living virtue is necessary to good
ness in man, and this can only be OBJ
tanned by the careful cultivation of the
principle of love to the Creator. 1t is
this vital force that gives courage, wisdom
and strength; that lightens the most
| wearisomo duties and soethes the saddest
sorrows.
There are people rigid in battling
against heresy, and denouncing opinions
different from their own, who are yet ut
terly lacking in the deep foundation prin-
ciple from which all such opinions ought
to spring. The honorable lawyer ever
keeps in view the fundamental principles
of legal morality in all his arguments and
practice, while the mere pettifogger will
bubble about petty technicalities, mis-.
taking them for the essence of the law.
Many persons mistake the love of a sect
for the love of God. But far above all
sects and all parties is the love OF truth,
to which our allegiance should ever be
supreme. To cultivate most successfully
this principle, we must cease to cherish
whatever is inconsistent with it. 1t is a
law of our physical nature that the vital
force, directed by one function, is by so
much absorbed from the others. The su-
preme love of business or pleasure, or
honor, will be sufficient of itself to stife
and eradicate this principle, which, if cher
ished and trained, will rise above all other
affections, and develop the entire charac-
ter. The careful regulation of the body
the training of the mind, and the discip
line of the moral faculties, oil conduce to
this end. The power Of habit cannot be
overrated, and religious habits are, like
the pressure of the atmosphere, silent and
uniform, but allpervading. This love Of
the Creator, cherished and cultivated as
the supreme and ruling principle of life
is the secret of true happiness. He who
possesses it need not fear calamities OF
reverses, for they will come to him as.the
wise dispensation Of o kind and loving
Father who cannot err; and all his joys
will be enhanced by the flial gratitude
that will pervade his breast-PhI. Ledger
/ = Lord Brougham was "eminent ir