|
(page 286 thru 290)
Painful has it been to me,
and no less so, I presume, to the reader,
to traverse these regions of moral death,
and to contemplate the direful effects
produced by torrents of corruption,
flowing from the fulness of the human heart.
Gladly would I relieve his mind, and my own,
with brighter prospects and more cheerful scenes;
and such present themselves to him
who meekly receives the instructions of his Maker,
and surveys futurity with an eye of faith.
By this light we discover, that the plan of Providence,
however complicated its operations, is but one;
having for its benevolent object,
the production of order out of confusion, of good from evil.
Under the government of Infinite Wisdom and love,
this consoling truth is exemplified in numberless instances,
from the plant, which owes its vigor to putrefaction,
to the increasing purification the good man derives
from conflicts an sufferings;
and from thence to the cross of a Savior
which gave life to the world.
If we admit this prime truth,
we need not a spirit of prophecy to foresee,
that these efforts of infidelity will prepare the way for,
and hasten its destruction:
That the convulsions excited by thee disorganizers will
(but not in the way which they predict, nor according to their intentions)
purify its constitution, and introduce an healthier state into society:
That all the attempts which have been made
to destroy the foundations of moral obligation,
and the evidences of Christianity,
will eventually establish the one,
and confirm the other.
Is it asked when this happy era will commence?
Not perhaps in this theorizing generation;
not while men's heads are filled with the idea
of erecting a peaceful, happy republic upon the basis of atheism.
But the time will come, when wisdom will resume her seat,
and man will submit to be taught by experience,
and by his Maker.
Then will his ear be opened to the lessons of wisdom,
to the demonstrations of truth,
which the history of the present period affords!
Would it be extravagant to assert,
that the collected history of all ages and nations,
sacred history excepted,
does not furnish so much important and useful instruction,
as will probably be derived from the events
which have come into view within the last sixty years?
In the period referred to, we have been presented
with what may be considered, as a course of experimental lectures
on religion, morals, and the interests of society;
in which many important principles and truths
have received a clear illustration,
and been demonstrated to the senses.
In many excellent treatises has Christianity been defended,
and the tendency of infidelity,
in its influence on the mind, and on society,
held up the the public;
but as abstract reasonings make but a faint impression
on the great body of mankind,
infidels have confidently denied the charges brought against them,
and the justness of the conclusions
drawn from their sentiments.
Infidels have formed the minority in every society;
they were therefore naturally led to plead for toleration.
Their principles were under a continual check,
and a regard to reputation and personal safety,
induced a compliance with the customs and manners of the age.
In proof of the importance of religion to a civil community,
the advocates of Christianity
appealed to the state of society in heathen nations;
but this did not amount to a fair experiment;
for the heathens were not infidels.
The scattered rays of revelation, collected by their philosophers,
produced something like a system of religion, which,
however inadequate to the principal purposes of religion,
had a happy effect on society and morals.
Infidelity never before appeared in her proper character.
Infidels, formerly, spake much of virtue and religion,
applauded the morality of the gospel,
and affected to admire many of its doctrines.
Lord Herbert calls "the Christian, the best religion."
Lord Bolingbroke represents
"Christianity as a most amiable and useful institution,
and that its natural tendency
is to promote the peace and happiness of mankind."
It was plead by the advocates of Christianity,
that whoever had any real love to moral beauty
could not but embrace the gospel;
but deists denied the truth of this assertion,
and to support their argument,
were perpetually proclaiming the beauty
of virtue and natural religion.
But now it appears that all this was a mere finesse,
adapted to conceal the fatal tendency of their opinions.
Infidelity, confiding in her strength,
and the increasing number of her advocates,
has now laid aside her mask,
and we have seen her in France,
fierce, cruel, unjust, oppressive, abandoned and profligate, as she is;
rejecting those moral precepts she once professed to admire,
proudly assuming entire independence,
and ranking the sovereign of heaven with the tyrants of the earth.
We have grounds to expect, that the genuine tendency,
both of infidelity and Christianity, as they respect society,
will be fully and undeniably demonstrated.
It is undoubtedly a part of the scheme of Providence,
to lay open the human heart,
and to prove important truths by convincing experiments.
Were mankind duly impressed with that view of the tendency of infidelity,
which late events have exhibited,
it would afford a rational hope that its reign would soon cease;
but while so many remain unconvinced,
there is reason to fear its more deplorable prevalence,
before the dawning of that happy day,
when Christianity, infusing its benign influence into every heart,
shall produce permanent peace,
and the precious fruits of universal love.
|
|
