Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-09-22

A godly man is man of strong beliefs.
He has deep convictions with regard 10 the
Being whom he adores, and whose will he
takes for the gulding-star of his lie. ITO
believing SOULS" says Shakespeare, "God
gives light in darkness, comfort in de-
spair." And Milton shows US the open Sc
cret of the Puritan's religion, in that prayer
of his early manhood, "that may ever
live as in my great Taskmaster's eye."
With their whole souls our fathers believ-
ed that "God is, and that he is the reward
er of them that diligently seek him." do
not deny the many harsh and repusive
features Of their theology. Fear, as q. mo-
tive ia religion, had too large place in
their minds. Dread of Gods wrath some
times withdrew their souls from those
cheering truths of the gospel which are the
best helps to the formation OF a generous
and noble character But the native senti-
ments Of love and trust, and the great doc
trine Of Gods iatherhood, which shines
from every page of the New Testament,
and which no theology of mans device
can wholly hide, kept the Puritan from
coming under the exclusive infunce ola
debasiug religious fear. AS a motive con-
trolling character, his fear of God was prac-
ticAlly that wholesome dread of doing
wrong, that "homage which the sinful soul
pays to the violated law of duty" that sure
conviction that mans highest interests are
at hazard when he departs or swerves a
hairs breadth from the way of Gods COM
mandments. Well would il be for this peo-
pie If such fear OF God we're again TO &C.
quire predominant influence in mems
minds. Our moral dangers are closely
connected with the decay of old. fashioned
reverence, and the weakening of those rug
ged religious convictions that are the STALK
on which holiness blossoms. The "mush
OF concession" and the. easy Indifference
as TO moral distinctions which characterize
our judgments of our fellow-men, we
have unconsciously transferred to the
method and the laws of the divine govern.
ment. We have dethroned the despot
which The old Calvinism placed on the
heavenly throne; but our sentimental the
ology makes God almost an imbecile, aud
men are beginning to think it a small mat
ter to violate the laws of such ruler, and
hardly worth their while 10 seek his favor.
But the majesty of law, in divine as well
as in human government, survives, how
ever weak the reigning dynasty may be or
may be thought to be; and for our own
pari, unless we recognize the "High and
Holy One who inhabiteth eternity" unless
we see enthroned in the heavens our faith
er's God, the infinitely just and righteous
Ruler whose love is as severe TO our sins
as it is mercilul TO our weakness, we can
not be godly men. Our belief in God must
have the strength and the depth of the Pu-
ritan's conviction If we would build up
public and private morality by tie eno-
bling influences of religious reverence and
Christian piety. Survey once more these
several virtues of the olden time which we
have now examined; see in true godliness
the excellence, "the bright, consummate
flower" of human character; behold in
simple honesty the golden link of all So
cial, business and public life; see how old
fashioned temperance and moderation are
The regulative principle Of all wise conduct;
see 10 what sure and solid success industry
leads the way; and in true simplicity OF
life and manners behold the guarantee of
lasting satisfaction, the fair ornament ofa
happy and contented mind. Prize these
old-fashioned virtues; value their acquisi-
tion above all the Graces and accomplish
ments taught in the schools, above the
boasted worldly prudence and miserable
self-seeking OF hollow though gilded age;
for wisdom is more precious than knowl-
edge, virtuous habits better than elegant
culture, integrity OF more value than
shrewdness, and godliness a treasure that
will outlast all earthly riches, and be sure
possession through the endless ages Of
eternity Unitarian ReVieV.