The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-10
possibles Then examine its evidences, and i

possible? Then examine its evidences, and
would il not be illogical still 10 resist it becans
it is a mystery Examine these evidences q
Horne has collected them. Examine then
with candor, and not with prejudice and pre-
possession. 1t is not necessary that you should
wish to find them true only do not wish tt
find them false. Only look at the prophecies
of the Messiah. Their genuineness is placed
beyond question. The evidence comes from
the enemies of the Cross. They would no
sophisticate them. and the detail is too full anc
minute to refer the verifcatlon to chance
Compare the state of the Jews with the pre-
dictions of Moses. How is this to be explain
ed by human reason? Human reason may
deal with historical facts, which form the evi
dence of the Christian religion. Do the facts
prove the Bible to be a revelation from God
Let these facts be examined They are EN-.
bodied to your hand by Horne. If the evil
dence is unanswerable it would be poo!
reason to reject the conclusion because ii
passes human understanding, when thousand
mysteries around us equally pass human rea-
son. Shall we therefore disbelieve their ex-
istence? Names are but OF little account.
Nalus addactus jurars in oer6a Magastra is the
declaration of many unbelievers who secretly
pin their faith on Voltaire, Condorah, D. Alem-
bert, Payne, Hume, ETC., ETC. But in whom
have the powers of reason been more strongly
exhibited than in Newton, Locke, Boyle, Mil
ton, Clarke, Johnston, etc., ETC., who had all
examined this subject, and were all believers
and not ashamed of their faith
The account of the great names is at least
sufficiently balanced to awaken every reflect
ing man to serious and profound examina-
ton of this subject. 1t is too solemn and awful
in its consequences to be lightly and superb
cially disposed of. Vague notions of the
goodness of God and the justice of God, settled
by ourselves in our favor, and by the scale of
human reason, are rather rash dependence,
when we are assured by greaS and enlightened
men, who have no interest in deceivlng us,
that there is an infallible standard within our
reach by which we may test the solidity Of our
calculations and hopes.
ought TO beg your pardon, my dear friend.
for this letter. had no intention Of writing
such one when began. have been hur-
ried into it, and borne along beyond my pur-
pose, but am most anxio us about it. 1t was
only last night that was talking to my dear
wife about you on this subject. You know
she loves you, not merely because l do, but for
your own sake, and because of your love for
W. hcxy lotl =, ILL., 1,ko
trial, the consolation ofreligion. We are con-
WINGED that our child is in heaven, safely hous-
ed from the storms of life which she was too
delicate to endure; and we trust, through the
atoning merits, the pardon and acceptance Of
the Lord Jesus, to be united with her again
when it shall please God to call us. But for
this hope life would be insupportable to US.
As it is, we endeavor to live as much in heav-
en- as ON earth, and endeavor to do the will OF
our Father on earth as it is in heaven. This
may all seem very simple and foolish to you,
but we find it a reality Would to God you
could be persuaded to try it. know that OBJ
stinacy is no part your character. + have
heard you say you wished you could believe it
Are you sure you wish it, my dear friend
Are you sure there is no latent wish to the
contrary? Ifso, take it up as a new subject.
Dismiss your prepossessions and give t fair
play.-May God, in His mercy, dispose you to
do it, and enlighten the path of your inquiry
We are both growing old, and shall probably
part on this earth God forbid that we should
part forever. l freely admit that, so far as
human virtue is concerned, your chance is far
better than my own; but mere human virtue
is not preparation for that holy heaven in
which our God is enthroned. l have no reli-
ance on self. I am vile and worthless.-If
am saved at all know that it must be of the
grace of God and through the merits of a dying
Saviour. 1t is His spirit alone that can fit me
for the habitation of the saints on high
THURsDAY.-I sat down to write letter to
you last night, not anticipating what kind ola
letter it was to be, but abandoning my pen to
my feelings, as 1 always do when writing to
you, and had written thus far, my heart mis-
giving me all the while lest should be doing
more harm than good, when determined to
stop and take the matter under further advise
ment have accordingly done so, and on
reviewing my letter this morning am uncer
lain whether ought or not to send it. fear
it will be very week and foolish to you, and
you will probably suppose that grief has I'M
settled my understanding. But you know
that these are not new thoughts with me, and
of one thing you will be sure-that this letter
is proof of my ardent love for you, and
proof that rely on your candor and friend
ship to do justice to my motive. have not
the folly to consider this letter as an argument
in favor of the Christian religion. know how
far and wide the objections to it run, for have
been over the whole ground. My object is to
prevail on you to reconsider the subject, and
to do it without aversion, not by the light OF
your own understanding only, but by fair ex-
animation of the authors to whom I have ia
ken the liberty to refer you.
And finally, I have beg that you will take
this letter in the good part in which you
know it is meant, and that you will not cease
to love me. WILLIAM WRIT.