New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-14
BETTY SEWALL AND NEH-ENGL.4ND PURE.
IANISM

From Charles Eliot Norton's Address at Binehap.
The system of theology then generally accepted
was one of the most complete and elaborate bodies
of doctrine that has ever been devised by TIE IN
genulty of subtle aud vigorous thinkers in the at
tempt to frame creed that should account fer the
existence of the universe the nature of the Creator
and the destiny of man. Based upon the assump-
ton OF the absolute authority of the Scriptures OF
the Old not less than of the New Testament as Che
Word of God. and their complete suliiciency as A
theory of the universe and guide 10 conduct tho
creed attempted TO embody the doctrines essential
To salvation IN a series of mutually dependent log-
cal propositions Ia its practical application to life
1t was probably the most artificial and the most on
pressive creed that has ever exercised lasting in
huence upon a civilized Christian community Tho
fallen nature of man through sin the enmitv az
God toward the human beings he had created the
responsibility OF man and his heplessneSs TO tree
himself from the curse denounced upon him. the
damnation of infants, the eternal duration OF the
torrents of hell to which the vast majority of man
kind were doomed. weighed with unrelieved gloom
of the tyranny exercised in the of gOn over
the spirits of the men and women and children IN
strong subdued, the weak were crushed by it
In his diary, under date OF January l3, l6953s6.
Judge Sewall makes this entry concerning his little
daughter Betty, "A girl of fourteen:
When l came IN; past at night, my wife met
me in the eutry and told me Betty had surprised
them. was surprised with the abruptness of the
revelation. IL seems Betty Sewall had given some
signs of detection and sorrow, bnt little after
dinner she burst out into an amazing cry. which
caused all the family TO cry too. Her Mother asked
the reason; she gave none at last she said she
afraid she should goe 10 Hell; her Sins We're not
pardon'd. She was first wounded by my reading a
sermon of Mr.. Norton's about the 9TH of January
Text, Jno. Z, "a: We shall seek me and shall not
find me : and these wor Is in the sermon. Jno ; 81
le shall seek me and shall die in your SINS ran i'm
her mind and terrified her greatly And STAYING al
home January II. she read out of Mr. Cotton
Mather-Nhy hath Satan filled thy heart which
increas'd her Fear Her Mother ASH her whether
she prayd. She answered, Yes: but feared her
prayers were not heard because her Sins Were not
pardond Mr.. Willard 1.-THE minister though sent for
timelyer, came not till after came home Uo
dscoursed with Betty, who could not give a distinct
account, but was confused his phrase was and rs
eXcellently. The Lord bring Light and Comfort
ont of this dark and dreadful cloud aud grant that
Shrlsts being formed M my dear child may be the
issue of these painful pangs."
Such domestic picture, impressive as il is. is but
ieehie Illustration OF deeper unrecorded agOnes.
raise, oppressive Us the creed Of New England had
been, and then was, not to forget that il
nurtured precious virtues. From the rock itself
sprang living waters. The creed the prOduc-
tcn of men of independent souls of resolved pur-
pose. of moral integrity. Ii bred men OF like ie-
per. IL the creed OF political INDEPENDENTS and
OF republican institutions. The seed of liberty lay
in II. The doctrine of the fall of man brought all
men level King. priest, the noble the rich
the poor and the humble. God is no res pecter OF
persons was its first lesson It was no creed M mere
authority 70 be believed because incredible IRA
tlona as 1t was IL addressed the reason no less than
the conscience. 1t required discussion and dis
yersy. The Bible. the Word OF God was ITS somrce;
but the reason must be appealed TO for the right in-
depreciation OF that word. Many false premises
were taken for granted, many false con, lusons
drawn from them. But the argument eXer-
else oil Inc reasoning faculty. Wits were shafpened
IN theological disputation for i'm other debates.
Thought slowly won it's freedom; aud freedom led
10 truth Freedom of mind is the prerequisite of
Tree institutions. Theology closely akin to pol
itlcs. History as well doctrine was studied in
the Old Testament
When, in 1853 Edward Randolph the arch.
enemy of Massachusetts, was departing for Eng.
land TO give his aid toward yacatng the charter Of
the colony. the old patriot and deputy Governor.
Thomas Dantorth, addressed him brief letter OF
warning with references TO appropriate passages in
Genesis. Exodus and the Acts. 1t was character.
thOuQlr
times. The faith OF the New England Puritan.
while debasing him before the Lord, gave him VIZ.
tue TO stand before tyrants.
From the beginning. their religion, their manner
of life the wilderness which they were compelled
10 conquer the institutions which they established
and maintained, were preparing the cOlonists 60
become the founders of the mightiest empire OF
self-governed that the world has seen And
during tie whole course of colonial history the
meeting house-the house for the town-sneeting as
we'll ms for the worship of God-was The central
each community.