The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-10-05
oLD-FAsmIoNEp RELIGION

A godly man is man Of strong
beliefs lie has deep convictions with
regard to the Being whom he adores,
and whose all he takes Tor the guiding
star OF his life To believing souls,
says Shakespeare, God gives light in
darkness, comfort in despair And
Milton shows us the open secret Of the
Puritan's religion, IN that prayer Of
bis early manhood that may ever live
as in my great laskmaster's eye With
their whole souls our fathers believed
that Goo is, and that he is the reward
or OF them that diligently seek him |
do not deny the many harsh aud re-
pulsive features Of their theology
Fear, as a motive in religion had too
large place in their minds. Dread
of Gods wrath sometimes withdrew
their souls from those cheering truths
Of the gospel which are the best helps
to the formation Of generous and
noble character But the native senti
ments Of love and trust, and the grea'
doctrine of Gods fatherhood, which
shines from every page Of the New
Testament, and which no theology Of
mans device can wholly hide, kept the
Puritan IRON coming under the exclu-
sive influence Of debasing religious
fear, AS motive controlling character
his fear Of God was practically 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
sweryes hairs breadth from the way
OF Gods commandments Well would
II DO Tor this people il 8uch fear Of God
were again TO acquire a predominant
influence IN mems minds Our moral
dangers are closely connected With the
decay Of old-iashioued reverence, and
the weakening Of those rugged rclig.
ious convictions that are the stalk on
which holiness blossoms The mush Of
concession, aud the easy indifference
as TO moral distinctions which caarac-
ierize our Judgments Of our fellow neD,
W. have unconsoiousiy transferred to
the method aud the laws Of the divine
government We have dethroned tie
dcspot which the old CaIyiuism placed
on the heavenly throne; bat cur senli-
mental theology makes God almost
an imbecile, aud men are beginning 70
think il a small matter TO violate the
laws Of such ruler and hardly worth
their while to seek his favor. But the
majesty u law, IN divine as well as Ia
human government survives however
weak the reigning dynasty may be or
may be thought 70 be and for cur
own part. unless We recognize the High
and Holy Ope who inhabileth eternity.
unless we see eutbrgBed ia the heavens
QUO fathers God. The infinitely just aud
righteous Ruler whose ioee i A. severe
TO our sins a. il i mercilnl b pur
weakness, We cannot be cody men,
Oaf belief ia God must have The
strength and the depth Of the Patilau 5
conviction II We would build up public
and private morality by The onobliug
Influences u religious reverence aud
Christian piety SurveY once more
these several virtues Of tie oldeu time
which We have now examined; see ia
true godlihess the excellence. the
bright consummate flower Of human
character; behold 10 simple honesty tie
golden LAX oi al social, business aAe
public life. see how old fashioned
temperance and moderation are the
regplalive principle Of al wise con.
duet. see 70 what sore aud solid sue.
cess Industry leads the way.