On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
greatly affected by the progress we make in them : what , therefore , can be more proper , or more natural than to entreat the blessing of heaven upon exertions which our own frailty , and the temptations to which we are constantly exposed , are too apt to render weak and inefficient ?
I am unwilling to dismiss this subject without remarking , that it is the duty of all Christians to observe much discretion in offering objections to those opinions of their brethren which tend to afford consolation under affliction , support in the hour of temptation , and
encouragement in the often arduous path of duty . Truth , it will be said , can do no harm : but injudicious attempts to discover truth may be productive of a great deal of harm . Indeed , there are many truths that Providence chooses to withhold from
our comprehension , and in the present limited state of our faculties , it is very probable that the knowledge pf them would be injurious to us . There is a medium between enthusiasm and scepticism , and in our desire to avoid one extreme , let us not fall into the other . It is very easy to raise objections : there
is no system in ethics , no creed in religion , to which some may not be offered : but we ought to be very cautious in destroying a good system , unless we are prepared to substitute a better . To object to the use of supplicatory prayer , because we cannot comprehend how the Deitv can
answer our prayers without some miraculous interposition , or some deviation from his all-wise purposes , appears to me much the same as opposing the doctrine of a resurrection from the dead , because we cannot understand
how God can re-organize the decomposed parts of the animal frame , or now the intellectual principle can exist in a state distinct from the body . The ways of Providence are past our finding out : we must be patient and humble while on earth : in another state of
existence , a great source of satisfaction may arise from an intelligible view of the plans and designs of the Almighty . But while we remain in the present scene of trial , exposed to pain and sorrow , to temptation and sm , let us not be deprived of that anchor of our souls , —that high privilege of rational and accountable beings , the liberty of pouring out pur hearts to God ; and
Untitled Article
petitioning his consolation and support , his mercy and kindness , his assistance and direction , und £ r all the difficulties , distresses atfd frailties we are subject to . In the dubious
moments of mental uncertainty , when the path of virtue is but dimly recognised , or , when the wavering will , beset by temptations , hesitates between the impulses of inclination and the pointings of duty , let us not be denied the
encouraging permission of supplicating from our heavenly Father , that guidance which his frail and erring children so much require . And when anxiously watching the bed of sickness , while the messenger of death appears hovering over the form of one to whom our hearts are united by the tenderest
sympathies of nature ;—or , when unable to avail ourselves of any more earthly aids , we gaze upon the seemingly fastclosing eyes of him whose life is dear to his friends and important to the world ;—in moments like these , oh ! let us not be refused the sweet consolation
of praying with earnestness , —but with perfect resignation to the whole of our Father ' s will , that the threatened affliction may be averted . The advantages of this communion with our heavenly Father must be apparent . It leads us to a closer
intercourse with him than we can enjoy , if we merely contemplate him as a Being who governs the world by certain fixed unvarying rules , who ( according to L . J . J . ) " preserves or destroys his creatures agreeably to the general laws of the universe . " We need not fear
falling into superstitious opinions , if we entertain those sentiments of God which the Scriptures teach ; that his rational creatures are objects of his peculiar care , that he will hear and accept their prayers , and that they are to feel towards him the gratitude and reverence , the love and veneration , the confidence in his protection , guidance and direction , which the relation of " our Father in heaven" supposes and demands . We shall then be led to
have God always before us ; in moments of joy to raise our grateful thoughts to him ; in temptation to supplicate his assistance , in pain to pray for relief from him - > to implore from his benevolence health in
sickness , consolation in sorrow , hope in despondence , and comfort and support under all the trials we may meet with .
Untitled Article
Mr . Esllin on Divine Influences . 2 ?
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1820, page 27, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2484/page/27/
-