The corner stone; or, A familiar illustration of the principles of Christian truth ...

Preface

The following work is intended to be, in some sense, the counterpart to the u Young Christian; " that having exhibited the first principles of Christian duty, and this on the other hand developing the elements of religious truth.

The experienced Christian must not look here for additions to his stock of religious knowledge. If I had had any new and peculiar views of any portion of divine truth, I should not have brought them forward in this volume ; for it is the elements only of Christianity, which I mean here to teach. It is not my aim to advance the science of theology, but to disseminate its acknowledged principles; and I have endeavored to exhibit them simply as they are taught in the New Testament, and as they have been understood by the great body of Christians in every age.

There has been, it must )e admitted, and there still continues to be, some controversy on the subjects treated in this volume; and how far what I have said may be acceptable to different classes of Christians, I do not know. I should suppose it would meet with

PREFACE.

decided opposition, from some, were it not that I have often been surprised to see how Christians, who have been considered as entertaining views apparently the most diverse, will come together on a simple exhibition of the gospel, when it is not urged in a tone of challenge and defiance. A heated controversy drives men m such extremes in their expressions, that a calm bystander cannot easily tell what they really do believe. Should any persons, however, find anything in this volume to disapprove, I trust they will do me the justice to admit, that I have made this exhibition of the gospel, with reference to its moral effect on human hearts, and not for the purpose of taking sides in a controversy between different parties of Christians.

The work is not intended to contain a complete system of religious truth. Like the "Young Christian/' it is designed to be only one excursion into a field which is almost boundless; and in our progress through it, I call the attention of those who accompany me, to such objects, and to such moral scenery, as naturally come in our way. A system of theology is a map or a plan, in which every feature of the country must be laid down in its proper place and proportion ; this work is on the other hand a series of views, as the traveller sees them in passing over a certain road. In this case, the road which I have taken, leads indeed through the heart of the country, but it does not by any means bring to view all which is interesting or important.

PREFACE. 5

The reader will perceive that the history of Jesus Christ is the clue which I have endeavored to follow ; that is, the work is intended to exhibit religious truth as it is connected with the various events, in the life of our Savior. In first introducing him to the scene, I consider his exalted nature as the Great Moral Manifestation of the Divinity to us. Then follows a view of his Personal Character, and of his views of Religious Duty. From this last subject we turn aside a little to consider the general Conduct of Mankind, its Consequences, and the principles on which these consequences can be averted by Pardon; ind then we return again to the history of the Savior, — to the scenes at the Last Supper, and at the Crucifixion. His Parting Command, and Parting Promise, bring us to the Conclusion of the volume.

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Chapter I— The Deity

Address to the reader. Preparation of the heart. The caravan Night. The lost child. An anxious search. Jerusalem at evening. The temple. The boy found. The question and reply Mary's feelings towards her son. His appearance, and character He stands alone. The Deity. Survey of the Universe. The proper station. The sun. The moon. Jupiter; his satellites. Distance. Exact regularity. The celestial clock. Sinus. The Panorama of the Universe. Childish illusion. No visible Deity. The Spirit; seen only in his works. Various manifestations. Unworthy conceptions of God. Exhibitions of power; love; benevolence; skill. Moral character displayed in Jesus Christ.

Studying God's character. Practical considerations. His works examined. An experiment. The ripe apple's stem. Juices. Bells. The vine and its tendrils. Contraction. The dew drop Its supports. Highly finished work. Water. The fleecy cloud. Snow storms and snow flakes. Perfect workmanship. The bubble. Its structure. Its wonderful mechanism. Intellectual and moral exhibitions. An imaginary walk in June. God is love The robin and his nest. God's care of him. The pair. The scene changed. January. Plans for protection. The Avinter home. The Chrysalis. The ant. God a father. A magistrate too. System. Firmness and decision. The suffering child. Its mother. Physical law sustained. God's determined decision General laws. Mor.il law. The wretched dwelling. The interior. Misery. The father's return. Unpunished guilt, and suffering innocence. Penalties. Language of the Bible. Leading traits of the Divine character. Second manifestation. The Holy Spirit. Contrasts of character. Influences of the Spirit. Testimony of the Bible; of witnesses. United testimony. The Son. Seeing face to face. Studying God's character. True mode. Approaching the Deity. Access by Jesus Christ. Conclusion. 13

Chapter Ii.— The Man Christ Jesus

The Savior's first words. His last words. Perfection. Common illusion. Real claims of Christianity. Mahometanism. Paganism. The worldly man. His character and habits. Seriousness. He is changed. One kind of religion. His great business. His final account. Consequences. Samuel's business. How a child may imitate the Savior. The glory of God. Acting as a steward. Worldliness. Love of furniture. Dress. The work of God. Low pursuits. The arts and refinements of life. The enjoyments of life.

The Savior's character. Energy. Mildness and forbearance. His story of the Samaritan. His rejection at Samaria. Plans. Bold and systematic action. His personal boldness. Nights of prayer. Style of speaking. Sermon on the Mount. The assembly. His missionaries. Results. Key to his character. Courage. The night in the garden. Suffering. Lights and weapons and armed men. Real courage. Three great traits. Love of nature. Kirk White. The Savior's metaphors. The lily. Insensibility of men. The garden. Its wonders. The Savior's taste and sensibility. His mode of addressing men. Moral sympathy. Reasoning. He loved his friends. He loved his mother. Proof. Filial affection.

Chapter Iii.— Human Duty, Or The Savior's Messag To Mankind

A difference between the gospels and the epistles. Wrong way to read the Bible. Right way. The schoolhonse. A stormy night. Trouble. The lost cap. Conversation. The Teacher's perplexity. The plan formed. Penitence necessary before forgiveness. Distinction illustrated. A dialogue. Forgiveness of Joseph. The Teacher's walk. Effect on th£ boys. Joseph. The Teacher's re'eurn. Moral effect of Christ's sufferings. Essentials. The penitent child. The shipwrecked minister. The savages. Conscience, the universal monitor. Duty plain. John die Baptist. Jonah. Voice of conscience. Personal duty plain, though universally neglected.

God's design in the creation. The ten commandments. Analysis of the moral law. Its character. Effects of obedience to it. Spiritual obedience to it. The Priest and the Levite. Various ways of beginning to obey. The absent master. The disobedient boys. Expostulation. How to begin. Giving cold water. Holiness is submission. Various forms of piety. The conversion of a little child. Spiritual darkness. The way to remove it. The various ways of turning to God. Forms and ceremonies. Do this. Practice of the Apostles. Forms of worship. Example of Christ. Changes necessary. Common error. One great denomination. Disastrous results. Christ's sufferings. 71

Chapter Iv.— Human Nature, Os The Savior's Recep- Tion Among Mankind

Human nature. The way to study it. The village. Morning. The wife and mother. Industry. Benevolence. Exceptions rare. Moral beauty. Night. The sick child. The proposal. Watchfulness. Moral beauty. Human virtue. Its two foundations. The village examined. R.eal characters. The post office. Apparent virtue. A distinction. No real difference of opinion about human character. Alienation from God: settled and universal. Evidences. Use of God's name. False religions. Mint, anise and cummin.

The door of salvation open. Men will not enter. Insincerity among Christians. Open vice and crime. Salvation offered to children. Its reception. The little child. The wealthy merchant. The message to him. Enmity against God. The aadable girl. Apparent attention. Real indifference. Almost a Christian. Universal alienation from God. Dead in trespasses and sins. The real difficulty. Spiritual blindness. The. ungrateful child. The dialogue. Ingratitude. Moral insensibility. Spiritual blindness. - The horse and his rider. Insensibility. The common case. Scene at evening. Feelings.

The Soliloquy. "Wandering thoughts. Reveries. The confession. The cold, formal prayer. Effect of sickness and suffering. The sick man. A visit. Conversation by the way The unfeeling heart. Consumption. Hopeless condition. 96

Chapter V.— Punishment, Or The Consequences Of Human Guilt

Character of die Deity. Efficiency in government. Different estimates of it. Severe punishment. Necessity for it. Alternative. Consequences of yielding to crime. Public sentiment. Petitions. Public sentiment now. Impartiality. Opinions influenced by character Points illustrated. Time spent in sin. Fifteen seconds. Bad intentions. Immediate consequences. Inconsiderateness. Object of punishment. Not revenge. Moral impression. The petition. Satisfying justice. Dr. 4 onn son. Salvation by Christ. Penitence. Its power in averting punishment. It makes pardon desirable.

Application of principles. Nature and effects of sin. Cockfighting. War. Spiritual blindness. Human insensibility to sin. Threatened destruction. The alternative. Open unbelief. Indifference. Mistaken views. The guilt of sinning against God. Case of the child. The spread of sin must be stopped. Sin overruled for good. The forgery. Its beneficial effects. Moral impression. The authority of law sustained. Good often done, by the commission and the punishment of sin. Difficulty. Divine power over the human heart. The traveller. Spirit of controversy. God is to be feared. The Savior. Insensibility to God's threatened judgments. A form of unbelief. Christians should be affected by it. Probation. Debt and credit.

The young man. Leaving home. Allurements of sin. The Crisis. The sore temptation and the struggle. Results depending. Consequences of a defeat. Probation. Nature of it. Si^i perpetuates itself. Its worst effects. Wandering from God. Can the sinner return? Will the sinner return'? God often employs suffering. Arrangements for it in the human frame. Uses of suffering. Jehovah is to be feared. Value of an efficient government. Conclusion. 122

Chapter Vi.— Pardon, Or Consequences Saved

Pardon possible. Always desirable when it is safe. The story of the lost cap. The Teacher's motives. Cases common. Not precisely analogous to the plan of salvation. The broken stucco. Suffering of the innocent for the guilty. Effects of the substitution,. The principle often applied. Another case. The students and the joiners. Mischief. The proposed substitution. Its effects. Moral impression. Peculiarities of the case. The offenders not penitent. Favors received for Christ's sake. Illustration. Political governments. Differences. No forgiveness provided for by human laws. Two motives for punishment. Their operation in this case. Substitute for punishment. The father's plan. Visit to the poorhouse. The scene. The abandoned. Consequences of truancy.

Moral impression made by the death of Christ. Extent and power of it undeniable. Its present influence. Its prospective influence. ' Necessity of atonement. Sacrifices. Preparation required. Sincere repentance. Principles of moral government.

Application of the subject. Address to the inquirer. Source of anxiety. Remedy. Anxiety needless. Redemption fully purchased. Faith necessary. Difference between faith and belief. The electric machine. Christian faith. Doubts and fears. The way to find peace. Justified by the law. Lasting effects of sin Example. The sinning child. Change in his moral position. Justification. Peace of conscious rectitude. Peace of forgiveness. Joys of forgiveness. The sting of sin. Their permanence. A wounded spirit. The way to find peace. The Savior. Peace and pardon. Penitence essential to pardon. Peace deferred. John Bunyan's view. Christian at the Cross. The way to remove the burden. Come to the Savior. 152

Chapter Vii.— The Last Supper

Plan of this work. Analysis of preceding chapters. The last supper. Jerusalem. Supposed feelings of the populace. The last passovcr. Moral greatness of the occasion The meeting. Anx iety and sadness.

n he Savior's religious instruction. He pressed duty first. Nicodemus. Theories of regeneration. The occasion. Topics now brought forward. Free conversation. Truths adduced. His testimony respecting himself. Philip's question. The way to approach the Deity. Moral dependence. Ye have not chosen me. The vine and the branches. Union with Christ. The Comforter. His work upon human hearts. The disciple's question. The prayer. Eternal life a gift. God's claim often resisted. The happiness of yielding to it. Feeling of dependence safe: happy. Religious experience. Trust in God. Physical danger. The safe refuge. Other truths. Evidences of piety. Fruits. Common errors. Two errors. Abundance of talk. Insincerity. Party spirit in religion. Its nature. Its spirit. Its effects. True fruits of piety. The catalogue. Love. Joy. Peace. Long-suffering. Gentleness. Goodness. Faith. Sleekness. Temperance.

)ther occurrences at the interview. The Lord's supper. The Savior's view of ceremonies. Forms and feelings. Baptism. The rainbow. Ceremonies symbolical. Monuments. A contrast. The pyramids and the Lord's supper. Test of sincerity. Exact obedience. The father's two directions. Principles of compliance. Ceremonies of false and true religions. Meaning of 'Do this.' Circumstances excluded. Principles. Moral effect to be secured. No dispute on this subject. Principles universally applicable. Formalists. No denomination free. Liberality. Difference of opinion unavoidable. Case supposed. Wine of Palestine. Each church must judge for itself. Modes of ordination. Admission to the church. True intolerance. Practical application. Weak and sickly Christians. Directions. The sickly Christian. Preparatory lecture. Communion day. Feelings at the communion table. Its true design. Its proper effects. Examination. Confession. Reunion. Partaking unworthily. Guilt and consequences of it. Lukewarm Christians. The sad alternative. The Savior's farewell Hymn. 183

Chapter Viii.— The Crucifiers

Dramatic interest of the narrative of the crucifixion. Its moral effect often lost. Three stages of guilt. First stage; guilty feeling. Second stage; guilty intentions. Third stage; guilty action. Illustrations. Sudden acts. God's view of guilt. Difference between divine and human laws. Consequences no criterion of guilt. The murderer. The feelings of the heart and external conduct. The Lady. The rude boy. Application of these principles. The characters of the crucifiers. Their characters common.

Judas Iscariot. His p.'obable character and plans. Trust conferred upon him. His present followers. The church. Various ways of betraying Christ's cause. The worldly pastor. The merchant. The proba! V intentions of Judas. Judas' excuses. The midnight scene. Jerusalem. The valley. The garden. The coming forth of the soldiers. Apparent discrepancy. The two accounts. Fearlessness of truth. Explanation. The encounter. Resistance. Binding the prisoner. Jesus before the Priests. Their two charges. Blasphemy.

Political condition of the Jews. Capital punishment. The Roman Governor. His hall. The Priests remain in the street. Another apparent discrepancy. Truth and fabrication. Explanation. Judas and the Priests compared. The spirit of the Priests. Contention among denominations.

Peter. His appearance at the hall. Character of Peter and John. Peter's sin very common. His temptations compared with ours.

Denying Christ at the present day. The narrative resumed. Characters of the parties. The dialogue in the street. Charge of treason. Pilate and the Savior in the hall. Pilate's efforts. °His inquiries. Kis plan for avoiding a decision. Herod. The Savior's silence. Another plan. Barabbas called for. The excitement. PJate's perplexity. The scourging. One more appeal to the Savior's enemies. The decision. Character of Pontius Pilate. The soldiers. Sinning in the way of business. Various characters exhibited at the cross. His numerous friends. Crucifixion. Inflammation. Thirst. Suffering. Death. The soldiers' visit at sunset. The body taken down. The disciples. Moral effect of the scene. 220

Chapter Ix.— The Parting Command, Or The Means Of Spreading The Gospel

Plan of the work. Human life. Anticipated happiness. What have I to live for'? The work of a Christian. The Christian's work. Means of doing it.

I. Holy life. Two kinds of influence. The salt of the earth. Duties to ourselves. Common danger. Looking to others. Watching one's self. Common way of evading duty. Influence of personal holiness. Influence of action. Double motives. Bad principles cultivated by religious acts. Influence of the heart greater than that of the conduct. Holy example. Unholy example. The latter common.

II. Personal influence. Its value as a means of doing good. The contrast. Repulsive piety. Its bad influence. The fault generally incurable. Unsound logic. Supposed want of influence. Extent and power of influence. The chief magistrate. The two sisters. Mutual influence. Powerful but not extensive. The child and his little brother. None too young to do good. Influence over brothers and sisters. Every Christian has an influence. Effect of universal fidelity. Future spread of the gospel. The church the pillar of the truth.

III. Study of human nature. Mistakes often made. Example of Paul. His preaching. 3Iistakes of Christian© Guides in the study. The Bible. Observation. Books. Theories. Theological notions. Want of skill. Careful study necessary.

IV. Use of property. Claims of Christianity. Common question. Case supposed. The rude Islanders. Ways of reaching them. Various plans. Co-operation. Money. Its nature as a means of ucing good. Examples of its power. Radiant points of piety. Sincere motives. Piety begins at home. Success certain. Important trust committed to Christians. Sublimity of the Christian's work.

e. Religious discussion. Written defences of Christianity. Early associations. Instances. Religious antipathies; beyond the reach of argument. Opinions hereditary. Irreligion the cause of error. One great distinction. Influence of feelings. Instances. The contention. The consumptive putient. Bias in religion. Sources of bias. Remedies. Inefficacy of argument. Hard to acknowledge error. The remedy. Useless disputes. Language misunderstood. Human character. Nature of disputes about it. Misunderstanding. Dispute grounded on misunderstanding. Ambiguity of common words. Proposed question and dispute arising from it. Unimportant questions. Pride and self-conceit. The limited powers of the human mind. Fruitlessness of controversies. The test of the truth. Sin a disease. Efficacy of remedies. Moral power of the truth The means of propagating it. 253

Chapter X— The Parting Promise, Or The Influences Of The Holy Spirit

The command and the promise. The Savior's presence. Proofs of it. Saul. Difficulties of the subject. Subject obscure. Plausible reasoning not to be relied upon. Ambiguity of language. Facts are plain ; the theory obscure. Moral dependence on God. Waiting for the Spirit. The man with a withered hand. Faults and errors. We must be born again. Influences of the Spirit. Various effects. The narrative. Such cases common.

A NewEngland College. The buildings. The classes. The first day. Temptations. Varieties of character. Dangers. The progress of sin. Efforts to reclaim a wanderer. Daily college life. Morning. The prayer bell. Morning prayers. Recitations. The breakfast hour. Study hours. The idle and negligent. The afternoon. Evening. College mischief. Frequent consequences. Efforts of the officers. Their fruitlessness. Amherst College in April 1827.

A student. Letter to the author. Writer's account of the condition of the college. Animosities and irregularities. The President's efforts. Their success. Attention arrested. Interest at the chapel. Impression. Singular plan adopted by the students. The evening meeting. The intruders. An enemy turned to a friend. A strange assembly. Success of a bad design. The Hebrew Bible. The President's visit to the awakened student. The mother. Her son's letters. The Christian mother's encouragement. Suspense relieved. The young convert's narrative. Narrative continued. Narrative concluded

Marks of genuine feeling. Religious meetings. The recitation room. The circles for prayer. The Tuesday evening meeting. Solemnity. Sincere and honest feeliug. The sermon. The hymn. Religious character of the converts. These changes the work of God. Witnessed by thousands. Counterfeits. Influences of the Spirit. The Comforter. 305

CHAPTER XL— THE CONCLUSION.

Various classes of readers. Address to the few. Very few really accessible. "I wish I were a Christian." Two great principles of duty; universal and unquestionable. Some pleasure in sin. Sin preferred. Supposed desire for piety. Influence of a religious book. First ground of error. The thoughtful young man. Conscience; recollections; fears. Soothing influence of a good intention. Loving the rewards of piety. Loving piety itself. Influence of fear. Undefined fears. Fear of consequences proper. Desire of happiness. Second form of false interest in religion. The evening walk. The ocean. Night. Clouds. Stars. Poetic feeling. The romance of religion. Holiness. These feelings not wrong; only insufficient of themselves. Wishing to be a Christian. Difficulties removed. Discrimination. Common errors.

To the^ Reader. Various directions to a new convert. Openness. Humility. Metaphysical difficulties. The precise time of conversion. The first great duty. Excellences of outward life. Regu, lation of the conduct. The feelings towards others. Formation of opinions. Independence. Modesty. Limits to human knowledge. Progress. Pressing forward. Trust in the Savior. Jesus Christ the chief Corner-stone. 338

THE

CORNER-STONE.

Chapter I. The Deity

" The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Address to the reader. Preparation of the heart.

cc If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine;" so said the Saviour, and the obvious inference from it is, that we are to act up to the light we have, before we seek for more. Reader, are you doing God's will ? This book is intended to explain such of the elementary principles of the gospel of Christ, as are necessary to supply the most pressing wants of a human soul hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and this gospel, the Bible assures us, cannot be understood, unless the heart is willing to comply with its claims. If you have not confessed your sins therefore, and asked forgiveness, — if you do not habitually strive against temptation, seeking help from above, — if you do not aim at doing the' will of God in your daily pursuits, I do earnestly advise you to go to God before you proceed farther, and implore his forgiveness for the past, and in the most solemn and emphatic manner, commit yourself to him for the future. Whatever difficulties in your mind hang around the subjects connected with religious truth, you certainly know enough to see that this is a duty, and you cannot neglect or postpone obedience without doing violence to conscience, and displeasing God. 2

The Caravan. Night. The lost child. An anxious search.

Do it then, before you proceed any farther. You will then have God's guidance and assistance as you go on. You will be preserved from error and led into the truth. Your heart being opened, the instruction which this volume may present, will enter into it, and contribute to its improvement and happiness. But it will do no good to heap up the truth before a door which is securely barred against what is already there.

Some centuries ago, a large, a very large company were travelling northwardly in early summer, through a lovely country, whose hills and valleys were clothed with the fig-tree, the olive, and the vine. They journeyed slowly and without anxiety or care, for their route lay through a quiet land, the abode of peace and plenty. Friends and acquaintances were mingled together in groups, as accident or inclination might dictate, until the sun went down, and the approach of evening warned them to make preparations for rest. While the various families were drawing off together for this purpose, the attention and the sympathy of the multitude were excited by the anxious looks and eager inquiries of a female, who was passing from group to group, with sorrow and agitation painted on her countenance. It was a mother, who could not find her son. It was her only son, and one to whom, from peculiar circumstances, she was very strongly attached. He had never disobeyed her; — he had never given her unnecessary trouble, and the uncommon maturity of his mental and moral powers had probably led her to trust him much more to himself than in any other case would be justifiable. He was twelve years old, and she supposed that he had been safe in the company, but now night had come, and she could not find him. She went anxiously and sorrowfully from family to family, and from friend to friend, inquiring with deep solicitude, " Have you seen my son?"

Jerusalem at evening. The temple. The boy found.

He was not to be found. No one had seen him, and the anxious parents left their company, and inquiring carefully by the way, went slowly back to the city whence they had come.

The city was in the midst of a country of mountains and valleys. Dark groves upon the summits crowned the richly cultivated fields which adorned their sides. The road wound along the glens and vales, sharing the passage with the streams, which flowed towards a neighboring sea. The city itself spread its edifices over the broad surface of a hill, one extremity of which was crowned with the spacious walls and colonnades of a temple, rising one above another, the whole pile beaming probably in the setting sun, as these anxious parents approached it, in all the dazzling whiteness of marble and splendor of gold. The parents however could not have thought much of the scene before them. They had lost their son.

With what anxious and fruitless search they spent the evening and the following morning, we do not know. They at last however ascended to the temple itself. They passed from court to court, now going up the broad flight of steps which led from one to the other, now walking under a lofty colonnade, and now traversing a paved and ornamented area. At last in a public part of this edifice, they found a group collected around a boy, and apparently listening to what he was saying; the feeling must have been mingled interest, curiosity and surprise. It was their son. His uncommon mental and moral maturity had by some means shown itself to those around him, and they were deeply interested in his questions and replies.

His mother, for the narrative, true to nature and to fact, makes the mother the foremost parent in every thing connected with the search for their son, does not reproach him. She could not reproach one who had been

The question and reply. Mary's feelings towards her son.

such a son. She asked him why he had staid behind, and gen* ]k reminded him of the sorrow and suffering he had caused them. He gave them a reply which she could not fully understand, and the feelings with which twelve years of intercourse, such as no mother ever before had with a son, had inspired her for him, forbade her pressing him for an explanation. " She laid his words up in her heart."

With what a strange mixture of affection and wonder, and ardent but respectful regard, must the mother of Jesus have habitually looked upon her son. A boy who had never spoken an impatient or disrespectful word, who had never manifested an unkind or a selfish feeling, who had never disobeyed, never failed in his duty, but had, for twelve long years, never given father or mother an unnecessary step, or a moment's uneasiness, or neglected any thing which could give them pleasure.- My reader, are you still under your father's roof? If so, try the experiment of doing in every respect for a single week, your duty to father and mother; fill your heart with kindness and love to them, and let your words and your actions be in all respects controlled by these feelings ; — be the disinterested and untiring friend and helper of your little brothers and sisters; — in a word, do your whole duty, in the family of which you form a part, making filial affection and respect the evident spring, and you will fill a mother's heart with gladness at the change. You can then a little understand the deep tide of enjoyment, which must have filled Mary's heart, during the childhood of her spotless son.

What, too, must have been the progress of his mind, in knowledge and wisdom. A mind, never allured away by folly, or impeded by idleness, or deranged by passion. Conceive of a frame too, which no guilty indulgence of appetite or propensity had impaired, and a countenance which was bright with its expression of intelligence and

His appearance, and character. He stands alone. The Deity.

energy, and yet beaming with kindness and love. It was the perfection of human nature, the carrying out to its limit, of all which God originally intended in the creation of man. And why was it so? How has it happened, that among the millions upon millions of children who have by disobedience, ingratitude and sin, planted thorns in their mothers' pillows, and often thrown sadness about the circle in which they moved, this boy had been the only spotless one? How is it, that he alone had walked in purity, — that he alone had never sinned, never sought selfishly his own, never given a parent pain, never injured a playmate, or returned an impatient word, or struck a blow in anger, or harbored a feeling of revenge? He stands a glorious monument of perfect filial virtue, the more glorious because it is solitary. No other nation or kindred or people or clime, ever furnished such a case, or pretended to furnish one. It is remarkable that among all the endless fables and pretensions of ancient times, no historian or mythologist, no priest or prophet or philosopher has ever pretended to have found a spotless man. The whole world withdraws its pretensions. Every system of religion, and every school of philosophy stand back from this field, and leave Jesus Christ alone, the solitary example of perfect moral purity, in the midst of a world lying in sin. The motto of our chapter contains the only explanation. It is"the glory op God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Almost all young persons are lost and confounded m attempting to obtain any clear conceptions of the Deity, or rather I should say, they are embarrassed and perplexed by many false and absurd impressions, which come up with them from childhood, and which cling to them very obstinately in riper years. Let us turn away then a short time from the history of the child Jesus, that we may look a little into this subject. It is not an easy one It will require patient thought and close

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Survey of the Universe. The proper station. The sun.

attention. You ought to pause from time to time, as you read the following paragraphs, to look within and around you, and to send forth your conceptions far away in the regions into which I shall attempt to guide them. And above all remember that if ever you need divine assistance, it is when you attempt to look into the nature and character of that Power which is the origin and the support of all other existence.