Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-28
The Christian Struggle.

1t is aquestion worth deeper consideration
than has perhaps been given to it, whether
intellectual pursuits and high culture are the
projections they are sometimes thought TO
be in the struggle with the passions. There
must be, no doubt, protection in any pur-
suit heartily entered into. This is as true,
however, of physical labor as of intellectual
work but whether, beyond this point the
exercise of the mental faculties, with the
culture that results therefrom, is a greater
assistance, may be open to doubt. Intellect
ual pursuits do not fully satisfy the imagina
ton They leave the heart still longing for
an object to love. They create desire, they
stimulate the nerves, they cause restlessness
they affect the body, whence the difficulty
chi, ny comes only indirectly, and so far
possibly unfavorably; while hard exercise,
and stern labor, and the discipline of air
and storm and rugged earth, give to the
body he outlet that it needs, and cause II to
Grave the rest which results in quiet nights
and easier days. Ah my brethren, there
are shadows that fall upon the days Of the
highest advance in philosophy which the
world has known aud from the ruined Par
thenon and silent Acropolis come other
voices than calm discussion and unimpas-
stoned reasoning and philosophic peace.
But would to God the struggle were with
the flesh alone. 1t penetrates deeper. The
age does not accept authority. 1t searches
into the grounds of all belief. 1t finds, as
well it may, difficulties manifold in religion,
and the evil heart more easily turns those
difficulties into doubt. Nor this alone.
There is more subtle trouble. Sturdy
doubling admits of being vauquished. Some
times even the amount Of the doubt is the
al f,,t f l., ~,
is capable. More dangerous is the spirit
that thinks all religious views worthy Of
equal consideration, because all are alike un
worthy of any; which is tolerant, because it
cares for nothing; which substitutes for
disbelief the worse error that belief or un-
belief, religion or irreligion, faith or doubt,
are alike unimportant considerations which
dreams that all pursuits, all studies, all
training, can be accomplished as well with
out religion as with it; and which, by ig-
noring the spiritual world fancies that il
has been gotten rid of. But, mighty aud
vast, the spiritual world stretches around
us, with its heights and depths, with its
shadows and dreams, with its angels and
spirits, with its heavens and hells, with its
eternal voices aud its unending felcities.
1t is governed by its own laws and by its
own principles aud these, too, in strict bar
mony with the laws OF nature aud of mind.
The soul, spiritual and immortal, needs and
its very being Graves these laws and princi-
pies. Vainy we dredge the ocean, or climb
the Andes, or are parched beneath the tor
rid sun, or penetrate the frozen seas, if
mghuer heights and depths, and frozen
hearts and ievered souls move us not to la
bors as earnest. Daily is some one called
upon 10 witness spectacle as old as human
ity, and the mystery of which no mortal
tongue has solved. Beside some silent
form, the quiet stiffness of the dead, we
stand aud ask, where is the man we loved ?
A moment since, he breathed, he spoke we
watched the gasping breath with voice and
touch and asking eyes, his soul met ours
we heard him say farewell the CLASSY
change that fell upon his countenance came
in moment. Where is he now Tell me
not OF physical laws and the working of dis
ease, OF forces and gases and currents. Phil
osophy and science and culture have nc
words warm enough to comfort me. o cross
nf Christ cast thou thy shadow on my
breaking heart, and whisper to my soul the
Christian hymn of triumph, and that alone
20 death, where is thy sting o grave
where is thy victory ?"-1he late DR.. james
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