Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

impression by engaging efficiently in this work, by wise solutions of the various questions involved, and by perseveringly pursuing the instructions and footsteps of their divine Master. His precepts contain elements for the solution of all the problems of social well-being, and the mode of accomplishing all desirable reforms. When the object is to abolish slavery, the Christian process will be to incite masters to love and cherish their slaves as immortal beings under their charge, and to teach the slaves to love and obey their masters, under whom, in the order of Providence, they are placed. Under this teaching, a patriarchal relation will arise between the master and his slave; the fetters will drop off; the one will become a father, and the others children; and, finally, when the master is brought to the point of emancipation, the servants are brought to that preparation for liberty which enables them to accept the boon with advantage, and to begin the career of freedom under the more than friendly eye

of their former master, and now employer; or to enter upon any other enterprise for which their habits or education might fit them.

So in political reform. The precepts and example of Christ should be brought to bear, by love and acts of kindness, upon kings and rulers, and upon subjects and citizens, at the same time. This wisdom, which came from on high, if properly applied by such as exemplify what they teach, will, in due time, leaven the whole mass.. The grasp of authority will be relaxed, the complaints of the oppressed will gradually cease, as the process of that reform goes on, which lightens the cares and labours of authority while it removes the burdens of obedience.

But all these are labours of love, as well as words of truth. These lessons must be imparted to the master as well as the slave, to the despot as well as the subject, by those who never forget the example nor the precepts of their Divine Teacher. There can be

no doubt that those, whether many or few, who conform to His rules, may go everywhere and deliver the words of warning and of truth to everybody, rich and poor, bond and free, high and low.

INFIDELITY, AND SOME OF ITS EXCITING CAUSES.

MANY Christian writers have attempted the task of exposing the causes and progress of infidelity. If we have been in any degree successful in bringing our train of thought and inquiry before the reader, we think he will be satisfied that the grand cause of unbelief is to be found in the abuses of Christianity. The prevalent unbelief has for its object not the truths of revelation, but the opinions and conduct of those who profess to be Christians. We all know how this operates on a small scale among the individuals around us; and we may well infer that it operates still more potently upon multitudes

260 INFIDELITY AND ITS EXCITING CAUSES.

than upon individuals. In Catholic countries, the most of those who escape the fetters of ignorance and superstition regard Christianity as a system of fraud and oppression, designed to cheat and govern men. They become infidels, because they confound Christianity with its professors. In Protestant countries, the wrangling disputes and uncharitable bearing of the various churches carry disgust and dislike wherever they are witnessed. Men cannot believe that is a pure fountain from which such uncleanness flows. They are repelled and not attracted by the exhibition, and easily draw the conclusion that whether there is anything real in Christianity or not, they must be as safe for eternity as those whose profession accords so ill with their lives. It would be difficult to over-estimate the prevalence of such feelings, or their influence in turning men from the path of obedience and piety. Many say in their hearts, if they do not pronounce aloud, that if certain persons or classes of men are really bound

heavenward, they do not wish to go they will take an opposite direction. Are they excusable for thus rejecting Christianity, through the fault of its professed friends? Certainly not but how is that to be reconciled with the Christian duty of winning souls to Christ, when their conduct repels more than it attracts? It may be said that the aversion of the natural man to Christianity is such that it need not be wondered if he turns away from holiness. Something is due to this consideration, but it has less foundation than many good people imagine. It is true that in the days of Christ's sojourn on earth, the priests, the rich, and noble, for the most part, rejected his mission with scorn; but it is equally true that multitudes, attracted by his kindness, and by his preaching, flocked after him: these multitudes were so great, that the priests feared the people, although they had all the authorities and the Roman soldiers at their command. How many were deterred by the threats and ma

« AnteriorContinuar »