Be zealous for the truth; "let all your deeds be done in charity," but remem- ber that truth is the basis on which it should rest. And while you are zealous for peace, let it be in connection with that truth, without which there can be no peace. Let truth be established ; let it be placed on the throne on which it should reign, and then there shall be peace. Tliev, peace is our watch-word : Peace with all men peace in all things and peace for ever ! Divine revelation. There was a time when each revela- tion of the word of God had an introduc- tion into this earth, which neither per- mitted men to doubt whence it came, nor wherefore it was sent. If, at the giving of each several truth, a star was not lighted up in heaven, as at the birth of the prince of Truth, there was done upon the earth a wonder, to make her children listen to the message of their Maker. The Almighty made bare his arm, and, through mighty acts shown by his holy servants, gave de- monstration to his truth, and found for it a sure place among the other matters of human knowledge and belief. But now the miracles of God have ceased, and nature, secure and unmo- lested, is no longer called on for testi- monies to her Creator's voice. No burning bush draws the footsteps to his presence-chamber ; no invisible voice holds the ear awake; no hand cometh forth from the obscure to write his pur- pose in letters of flame. The vision is shut up, and the testimony is sealed, and the word of the Lord is ended ; and this solitary volume, with its chapters and verses, is the sum total of all for which the chariot of heaven made many visits to the earth, and the Son of God himself tabernacled and dwelt among us. the truth which it contains once dwelt undivulged in the bosom of God ; and, on coming forth to take its place among things revealed, the heavens, and the earth, and nature, through all her cham- bers, gave it reverent welcome. Beyond what it reveals, the mysteries of the fu- ture are unknown. To gain it accepta- tion and currency, the noble army of mar- tyrs testified unto the death. The general assembly of the first-born in heaven made it the day-star of their hopes, and the pavilion of their peace. Its every sen- tence is charmed with the power of God, and is powerful to the everlasting salva- tion of souls. Irving.
Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
In a short time there will (we have reason to fear) remain but two kinds of persons among us, either those who think not at all, or those whose imaginations are active indeed, but continually evil. Of these latter it may be said, "Their foolish heart was darkened." Of the principles, I do not say of the detail, of political science, a sound theology is the only sure and steady basis. Now we trace the operations by which a destruction so extended in its consequences has been effected. The master-spring of every principle which can permanently secure the stability of a people is the fear and knowledge of Almighty God. The first operation of a principle of atheism, and perhaps one of the most formidable in its consequences, is that which leads political men to conceive of Christianity as a mere auxiliary to the State. Religion was not instituted (in the Divine council I mean) for the purpose of society and government, but society and government for the purposes of religion. As a...
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