The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03

ACCORDING TO NATURE.
The great idea Of the old Stoics was to fol-
low nature. to obey nature. TO live according
to nature. Nature was the revelation or
manifestation Of deity, Of the wisdom ana
power and character Of the Supreme. From
the show Of the handiwork Of the Almighty
his nature was to DO learned and man was to
receive his instructions and adjust and form
his being-dressing himself as before look
ing glass.
In the light Of this high philosophy. in the
light of nature there were great achieve
ments-in mental and physical development
in art. in literature. in philosophy, in nechan-
les and in government. Bat the corrupted
source and centre remained. And IN the
midst of all his great achievements the soul
Of man stood imbruted Nature could not
regenerate. That work was reserved for
present Deity. revivifYing and enlghtening
whom he would.
St. Augustine told the stoics that, great
and honorable as was their philosophy. its
realization and ideal was Christianity man
hood in perfection and divinely animated.
They went as far az they could they did all
that humanity, detached from deity, could
do; their physique was almost perfect; their
marble and canvas presented the human form
at its highest and earthly charms seemed
heavenly when combined" their buildings
displayed almost creative power; their
governments were grand in conception.
IN comprehensiveness and wisdom, and
their moral ideas were most harmo-
NOUS and beautiful; but the flavor Of dis
loyalty was in them all; the divine life was
wanting, and that only Christianity could
supply. The new religion alone could give
humanity and human works the vital prnci-
pie without which all humanity was and
would be forever a splendid failure. And the
glories of the Roman Empire throughout had
demonstrated and were showing the truth Of
his assertion,
It is not the part Of the laity to set theo-
logians to rights; but the commonalty Of the
world feel very much like claiming that any
class or school Of philosophers that go to-
gether under any name and make close
OF charmed circle of their own must pay for
their privileges by being boxed up, lyeried
a school and more or less shut IN from the
general world and have their reward"
Shakespeare was an immortal common man
in the midst Of kings and queens and titled
mobiles and dignitaries that have passed
away. leaving nothing but a few syllables. set
in lying words ito say that they soiourned
here. while the products of his wonderful soul
have peryaded the soul and his individuality
OF identity has been lost in di1usiyeness. and
he is known only as q 'myriad-minded" man,
broad and general as the encasing air.
And the greatest of beings, the Sun OF
Righteousness. lived and moved among the
people as one OF them scorning titles, making
himself Of no reputation and glorying into
present manhood in its highest manifestation,
and to be known as the typical Son of Man"
In tho presence Of the mortal and the Divine
all human titles and privileges are a mockery.
and life is known and acknowledged to be
saved and exalted when it is lost IN divine
ehulgence: that Truth may be oil in all.
We mean no disrespect 10 dignities, nor
dignitaries nor human teachers under any
name; but we mean to be jealous Of any priv
legged classes and technical learning when ma
ture and truth are our theme.
st. Augustine told the Stoics what the
Saviour proclaimed-life and immortality
brought to light by the Gospel. Christianity
dignifes and glorifes and teammates nature.
and man as the diyinely- appointed lord of ma
ture and the great author of it was divine
natural philosopher. lie referred to no au-
! thorities. but spoke as one having author
| ity. His references were the lilies Of
the Field" the Fowls Of the Air
Natures Book Of Illustrations" Dis
ease, death and the devil were sub
| iect to his command The consciousness Of
tho human soul and the experiences Of every
day life were his witnesses Nature is the
business and field Of the Gospel. And the
work OF the enemy always. everywhere and
under all circumstances is TO overlsy. TO per-
vert, 10 crowd out. TO supersede, 20 degrade
and TO obliterate the will and purposes Of the
Great Creator. The god of this world is
everywhere the enemy of nature and truth
And the miseries Of mankind and tue follies
of our race result from, and are identified
with. oaenses against the laws OF nature,
| only anO other name for sins against God