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CHAPTER IX.

HINTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL RELIGION, DESIGNED CHIEFLY TO AWAKEN SERIOUS INQUIRY.

It is a trite maxim that self-preservation is the first law of nature; but it admits of a more extended and impressive application than it has been wont to receive. There is a sense in which it may be adopted as a fundamental axiom of religion. The object which first recommends itself to the solicitude and care of every rational creature, is his own character or relation to the Supreme Ruler. We may conceive that the maxim of self-preservation is, in this view, countenanced by the sentiments and practice of all unfallen intelligences. It seems reasonable to suppose, that they shun everything which might tarnish their pure and angelic character, in the spirit of the same instinctive repugnance with which

we fly from whatever threatens the loss of life. That the primary concern of every man must be his own moral interests, is evident from the circumstances of the case, and the current language of Scripture. Every individual is, indeed, actually dependent, in a great degree, on his own care; with the exception of the omniscient Spirit, whose prerogative it is to search the heart, he alone finds full and immediate access to the temple of his own soul. From every other creature much is concealed of what passes within its mysterious recesses, and nothing can possibly supply the lack of personal observation and care. Revelation, accordingly, addresses us in our individual, as well as in our associate capacity. It represents religion a personal affair, and every one is supposed to incur a responsibility which is absolute, or irrespective of every other creature. On this principle each is solemnly exhorted to examine himself to look well to the state of his own heart, as the spot in the moral world which is peculiarly intrusted to his care, and for the condition of which he is accountable more than for that of any other to the Supreme Being.

The attention, however, which we are individually bound to bestow upon our moral welfare, as a primary object of pursuit, is in perfect unison with extraneous and relative claims.

All true beneficence must have its foundation in the existence of christian character. The often repeated aphorism, "that charity begins at home," intimates that it does but BEGIN there. It is like the circle occasioned by the falling of a stone upon the surface of an unruffled lake. The point of percussion becomes the centre of a sphere, which progressively enlarges itself until it reaches the utmost limit. Thus the love of all holy beings flows out in the first instance towards God, and then extends itself towards all other intelligences who are deserving of their regard, or capable of receiving any benefit from them. There was much wisdom, therefore, in the reply of Socrates, who, on being asked by his friends, a little before his death, what service he desired of them in regard to his family and affairs, said, there was no better way of obliging him and his kindred, than by acting up to the advice he had repeatedly given-to take good care of themselves.*

But the importance of personal religion is placed in a peculiarly striking light by the subject of the present pages, which recommends it to us as the

* Τί δὲ τούτοις ἢ ἐμοὶ ἐπιτέλλῃ, ἢ περὶ τῶν παίδων, ἢ περὶ ἄλλου τοῦ, ὅ, τι ἄν σοι ποιοῦντες ἡμεῖς, ἐν χάριτι μάλιστα ποιοῖμεν ; “Απερ ἀεὶ λέγω, ἔφη, ὦ Κρίτων· σὐδὲν καινότερον· ὅτι ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ἑπιμελούμενοι ὑμεῖς, καὶ ἐμοὶ καὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς καὶ ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς ἐν χάριτι ποιήσετε ἅττ ̓ ἅν ποιῆτε· κἂν μὴ νῦν ὁμολογήσητε.-Plat. Phad.

only possible link which can bring us into permanent and advantageous contact with each other, or with any other intelligences whose approbation and friendship are worthy of our desire, and fitted to promote our happiness. There are few, perhaps, who have not occasionally felt the force of this consideration; and since by making its appeal to the heart, it is fitted to awaken serious thought in the minds of some, who might be little affected by motives of a more direct and general character, it presses itself upon our attention as one of the many interesting inducements by which they should be prevailed upon to inquire into the true nature of religion, and most sedulously to seek an interest in its invaluable privileges.

*

* The celebrated Raynal, in his Hist. des Indes, mentions the case of an Iroquois Indian, who, when no other consideration seemed to produce the desired effect on his mind, was induced to reform his conduct, and to prepare for another world, under the fear of final separation from a deceased and much-loved associate. The passage in which the anecdote occurs, describes, in lively and eloquent terms, the warm and disinterested friendship which is sometimes found, in an extraordinary degree, even amongst uncivilized tribes." Chez les sauvages l'amitié n'est jamais altérée par cette foule d'intérets opposés qui dans nos sociétés, affoiblessent toutes les liaisons, sans en excepter les plus douces et les plus sacrées. C'est-la que le cœur d'un homme se choisit un cœur pour y déposer ses pensées, ses sentimens, ses projets, ses peines, ses plaisirs. Tout devient commun entre deux amis. Ils s'attachent pour jamais l'un à l'autre; ils combattent à côté l'un de l'autre ; ils meurent constamment sur le corps l'un

The eye of some person may chance to glance on the present page, who is happily connected in domestic life, and united by parental and other ties with those who are the objects of his sincere and generous affection. It may be, that he has never once seriously considered the moral and prospective condition in which he stands to these parts, as they may be called, or living ramifications of himself, and that he is a stranger to any heartfelt solicitude concerning his relation to that unspeakably glorious Intelligence who made. them what they are, and whose will must shape the everlasting interests of every human creature. His thoughts and anxieties have, perhaps, revolved habitually within the contracted circle of this world's concerns, or if, at any time, they have stretched out into eternity, and made an awakening appeal to his conscience, he may have dismissed them as grave and unwelcome visitants, with the promise of giving them audi

de l'autre. Alors même, ils ont la douce persuasion que leur séparation ne sera que momentanée, et qu'ils se rejoindront dans un autre monde, pour ne se plus quitter, et se rendre à jamais les plus grands services. Un Iroquois Chrétien, mais qui ne se conduisoit par selon les maximes de l'évangile, étoit menacé des peines éternelles. Il demanda si son ami enterré depuis peu de jours étoit en enfer. J'ai de fortes raisons pour croire qu'il n'y a pas été précipité, repondit le missionnaire. S'il en est ainsi, je ne veux pas y aller, reprit le sauvage. Il s'engagea, sur le champ, à changer de mœurs; et sa vie fut toujours depuis tres édifiante."