The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-09-11

tpAcnlug OF lnnuenty, or the cherries
SURF Use of Beepticisln. If this copjec.
ture is true, then life is O failure-a mis-
iortnne--in many cases calamity. Il
there is nothing but matter, it IS a pity
there ever was any matter. Whether
The happiness or the misery of life OK.
ceeqs. philosophy has not been able to
decide. Possibly, In some cases, happi.
ness, and in other cases, misery predom-
mates. One point is pretty certain: few,
1t any, persons desire to live over pre-.
cisely the lives which they have expe-
rienced. On this subject may bear tes-
tiEony. / have been more favored in
life than majority of my fellow-b beings.
Endowed with O vigorous constitution,
enjoying q large share of health, sur.
rounded by warm friends, engaged in
congenial employments, having fair
measure OF success in my labors, as free
from aftiictions as most OF my friends,
having supply of the necccsaries and
comforts of life, with heart TO enjoy all
my blessings, | have had great cause TO
be content With my lot. Few have en-.
Joyed. life more than have. can truly
say, however, that have no desire 10
live it over just rs it has been. IF Il
could carry back TO childhood my expe-
rience, and pass through my days more
wisely and asefully, should be pleased
TO do 1t; but to retrace my life, with all
its joys and sorrows, all its follies, mis-
takes and sins, | have no wish. life
has nothing better than the past, it is
more desirable not TO be than TO be. This
Is the dictate of revelation as well rs the
testimony of experience. ''If in this
life only we have hope in Christ, we are
nf oil <,at l..
assumes that all men are miserable, and
aiiirms that Christians, but for the hope
OF Immortality, would be the most mis-
erable of them all.
If life is q probation, designed to fit
man for higher and better state Of ex-
istence, it rises to sublime Importance.
That it is q probationary state. seems
pfobable from tho light of nature. That
the universe, with its infinite variety Of
wise adaptations, did not spring from
unbiased human intellect is forced to nd
nit. The only alternative is. that it was
created by q Being Of infinite wisdom.
power and goodness. Human life is n
mystery. For what was man created !?
Not for misery: his manifold blessings
and enioyments forbid this supposition.
Not simply for happiness: his various
and unavoidable suiierngs are at vari.
ance with this theory. The supposition
that life is trial, discipline, a prepa.
ration for another state, solves the mys.
tery,A With this theory, mans conscience
aud Inspirations after Immortality perfect
ly harmonize.
ss VIVA. sec;i;S probable in The dim light
OF nature, is made certain in the CLEARER
light of revelation. Life is but tho in
PRODUCTION TO mans permanent existence.
Christ has brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel. "If we be.
lieve that Jesus dir and rose again.
even 30 them also which sleep in Jesus
Will God bring him." If Jesus did not
rise from the dead, there ia no light in
the world, and no horo ro- u.aa. #
Jesus rose from the dead, his resurrection
was part of divine scheme, involving
the redemption of his disciples. Did he
rise from the dead? In all the history
OF the world, there is no fact 80 fully a,i-
thenticated as the resurrection of Jesus.
The most astute and sccptical men be.
lieye and stake their interests on !acts
which have not tithe of the proof in
their support which confirms that event
1t was testified by competent witnesses,
wio could net have hesn deceived. and
who furnished the most ilustrious evi.
dences of their sincerity. 1t gained
credence,S Ia spite of all the prsiudices
arfayeu against ~, among Jews and Cen
I, tiles, and in defiance Of the bitter perse.
cctions of priests and rulers, with intel,
iigent people, in the very land and In the
very age of its occurrence. If Christ
was not raised from, the dead. the tri.
umph of Christianity in the Roman en-
pire was more wonderful and inexplj
cable mystery than the resurrection Of
Jesus itself.
believe that Jesus died and rose
again." Here rest my hope. This fact
sheds Light upon the condition and des-
tiny OF man. 1t solves thouaand ques.
tons otherwise unansaorable. It Is IN
unfaiiing source of consolation, amid all
tho tolls, sorrows and disappointments of
life. it imparts Significance and grand
eur tosliie. Itsheds lustre on the other
wise dark and dismal torib. 1t lifts the
curtain that conceals eternity, and gives
us glimpses of ils inefihble glory and of
its unmiyed and unending felicity. Life
IL blessed thing, an inestimable posses
s.on to them that wisely use il. 1t is the
5iTtii 0f iiiiui0Ttaiity-tiIu tihWt. OF n tiay
which will b.. darkened by 20 clouds,
distnrped by atornas, and succeeded
by no night. Z Surely every Christian
may join ntth9 apocalyptic doxology
Unto him that hath loved us, and wash.
ea.ua from drsinsin his own blood, and
hath made us kings and priests unto God
and his Father; 70 him be glory and do
minion forever and ever. Amen."-
Rer, Y. B. Jcter, D. d., in Religious Her
ati.f 's'' s s.',' 81 ~ S.