صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

to save the world from sin, and to secure for all mankind "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away-reserved in heaven,”

WM. A. DREW, Editor.

Belfast, (Me.) Sept. 7, 1826.

BYRON.

A writer in the National Intelligencer points out the following extract from Parry's Last Days of Lord Byron, as an argument opposed to the declaration that his lordship "was without religious faith, regarding himself and others as mere beings of this world," both of which assertions are made in the last number of the North American Review. During his last illness, Lord Byron said to Capt. Parry, "Eternity and space are before me; but on this subject, thank God, I am happy and at ease. The thought of living eternally, of again reviving, is a great pleasure. Christianity is the purest and most liberal religion in the world; but the numerous teachers who are continually worrying mankind with their denunciations and their doctrines are the greatest enemies to religion. I have read, with more attention than half of them, the book of Christianity, and I admire the liberal and truly charitable principles which Christ has laid down. There are questions connected with this subject, which none but Almighty God can solve. Time and space, who can conceive! None but God: on him I rely."

From the Christian Intelligencer. ATHEIST, DEIST, &c.

As there are some people among us, who do not know the difference between an Atheist, Deist, &c. would it not be well to publish the following definitions?

1. An Atheist is a disbeliever in the existence of God.

This is called "speculative atheism." But to profess to believe in God, and yet conduct as tho there were none, is called "practical Atheism." This absurd system has had its votaries and martyrs.

2. A Deist, in the true sense of the word, is a believer in one God. Like the name THEIST, it is the exact opposite of Atheist or Disbeliever in God. So that, properly speaking, every man who sincerely believes in the existence of "the Lord our God," who is "One Lord," is a Theist or Deist.

But the popular acceptation of the word Deist, is, disbeliever in revealed religion. This has arisen from the fact, that certain men, who did not believe in the common doctrine, concerning the divine authority of the scriptures and the mission of Jesus, were called Deists. Of this class were Herbert, Hobbes, Collins, Woolston, Tindal, Chubb, Bolingbroke, Hume, Gibbon, Paine, lord Shaftsbury, Voltaire, Rousseau, Condorcet, and many others. But it is alleged by Dr. Clarke and others, that many intelligent Deists hold to rewards and punishments in the future state.

3. An Infidel is one who has no confidence in God. Infidelity is so nearly allied to practical atheism, that the precise difference could not easily be made to ap

pear.

4. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. The disciples of Christ were first called Christians at Antioch. A speculative Christian is one, who professes to follow and serve his master; but a practical Christian is one, who not only believes in his divine mission, but also participates of his spirit, and conforms to his precepts.

The excellent sermon, which was given in the last No. was from the pen of Rev. Orestes A. Brownson, of New-York.

OBITUARY.

Died, in Barre, on the 11 inst. ELHANAN, son of Capt. Peter Nichols, aged 21 years.-This young man was attacked with a fever on Tuesday, Aug 15th,which continued violent until Thursday Aug. 31st, at which time symptoms of amendment took place and he appeared to convalesce till Tuesday, Sept. 5th, when he was re-attacked, and his symptoms became very alarming. After this attack he endured much bodily suffering, and appeared sensible of the danger of his condition; he frequently observed that "he should soon give up the race." his friends gave up all expectation of his recovery, and his atOn Saturday, Sept. 9th, tending physician, by their request, informed him that he had in all probability but a short time to continue here on earth. The almost dying man appeared at this time to be in perfect possession of all his remaining powers, yet he heard the tidings with composure; he continued for a few moments after receiving them apparently in a state of silent meditation till addressed by a sister, who said to him that they must soon part; he replied, yes, we must part, never to meet again on earth, and exclaimed, "I am the happiest man living, glory be to God in the highest ;" he then said that he had been thinking much on things of the greatest importance, that he always had endeavored to, and he believed had, lived a good moral life; that he had thought lightly of religion, but was then convinced of its reality, and believed that he felt its influence through his whole frame. He then expressed a desire to see all his relations and youthful companions, for he had something to say to them. They were soon assembled around their respected and dying friend to hear his friendly advice. then addressed his parents, grand parents, sisters, more distant relations, and youthful companions individually; told them that he had in all probability but a short time to live, that he loved and respected them; that he believed in God, a heaven, and religion; that he was going to another and a better world, that he was transported with the thought; said that he feared, if his life should be spared him, he should go with the multitude to do evil; that he wished only to live to render his parents that assistance which they needed, and for nothing more, but was willing to go; altho they must part for a season, yet he felt the fullest assurance that they should meet again. He exhorted them to live moral and exemplary lives, and expressed an unshaken belief that they and the whole human family would enter the reams of bliss. During the whole of this interesting scene, his countenance was serene and animated, and his voice sufficiently clear to be distinctly understood, while all around were bathed in tears. After addressing them individually, he remained for a short time tranquil and silent, and his friends mostly left the room. By his request they again assembled around him. He then addressed them collectively and after repeating what he had said to them individ

He

ually, he told them that they might depart, for he had nothing more to say. He soon became delirious, passed a restless night, and at about 8 o'clock on Sunday morning his spirit took its Hight to the realms of everlasting day. He was respected and beloved by all who knew him, and his relations and friends will long lament their loss.

Died, at Londonderry, Vt. July 25, JONATHAN EMMONS, in the 66th year of his age, one of the revolutionary patriots, after a severe sickness of three months, which he bore with patience and resignation. He died without a struggle, rejoicing in the hope of His last words that a blessed immortality beyond the grave. could be understood were, he longed to go to Jesus his friend, who was waiting for him. From an early period of his life he was a firm believer and open defender of the universal grace of God He united with the Univerthat bringeth salvation to all men. talian church formed at Andover, Vt. in the year 1801. He has left a widow and nine children to lament the loss of the kind husband and tender parent, and society has lost a peaceable and good citizen.

Died at Hartland, Mr. ELDRIDGE TABOR, aged 27. He has left a widow and infant child to mourn his exit.

POETRY.

AN ACROSTIC ON THE EDITOR'S NAME.

Rejoice in faith, and wisdom be your guide,
O'er boist'rous waves, unburt, your bark shall glide;
Bound to the realms of everlasting day,
Ever safe in God, who guards you on the way:
Rehearse his boundless love, nor after tell,
The same is bounded by the gate of hell:
Beware of Priestcraft, that old false-tongued trade,
And shun the Romish snare the tempter laid;
Repeat the gospel, that the blind may see,
"Truth" always "bears away the victory."
Let falsehood boast, and vice refuse to yield,
Ever at the light, both must quit the field;

Truth clears the way, through thickest shades of night,
'Truth makes al Ifree, and yields us great delight.

E. DRURY, Weston, Vt.

No. 4.

WOODSTOCK, DECEMBER, 1826.

VOL. VII.

SERMON, NO. XXXII.

[This Sermon was delivered at Hartland, on the first Sabbath in November, by Bro. Ezekiel Vose, of New-London, N.H.] LUKE X. 27.-"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself."

These are the words of the lawyer, in answer to his own question to Christ, saying, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life ?" It is supposed, that the person introduced here, was one whose office was to study and teach the law of Moses. Scribes and lawyers are the same. The ready answer which he gave to Christ, seems to confirm this opinion, rather than, that this lawyer was one whom we usually now call an attorney at the bar. But, in either case, the question is equally impor tant, proper and just; and if any fault was to be found, it would only be concerning the object which the lawyer had in view, in asking the question; as it is written, "And a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him."

The power of popularity is now, and always was very remarkable; it was in the days of Christ the foundation of all contention against him. He was engaged in teaching principles which were not popular with the people. The Jews were very fond of partiality, and always very careful to include themselves in this partiality. They believed themselves to be the peculiar favorites of heaven, and if Christ had only confirmed their good opinion of themselves, all would have been well. But Christ taught such doctrines as were afterwards confirmed by the Apostles, that God was no respecter of persons. He taught principles the most

« السابقةمتابعة »