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principles of piety in the young mind.

of other people, at present, is not recollected. He proceeded, "After this I went an ap

The subject is too important to be exhausted in one letter.prentice to the business which I As I have begun to bear my testimony, if this finds a place in your Magazine, I shall trouble you again with my remarks.

PATER-FAMILIAS.

The danger of reasoning falsely against the testimony of our

own consciences.

SIR,

TH

THE following singular occurrence happened, when I was a young man, residing at an eminent seat of literature, where I received my education. I was, at that time, a licentiate for the Christian Ministry.What hath been the event of the man's life to whom I refer, is wholly unknown to me, as I have neither seen or heard of him for many years.

now follow. When an apprentice, many persons of my own age, resorted to the place of my labor. Many subjects of conversation were introduced, and I soon found that I was able, as we called it, to out-talk them on every point. By this iny pride was flattered, and I began, first to deny the moral virtues of life, with no other design, than to show my own expertness, and see their incapacity in proving what I knew to be right. In our own young company, I was soon mentioned as having much learning; and my opinion was often asked on subjects of which I had never before thought. In such cases, it was necessary for me to depend on the present moment, both for my opinions and the arguments by which I supported them.

I was led on, in this manner, until I presumed to call in question the truth of the scriptures and the doctrines of the gospel. When I did this it was with trembling and against the testi

A person called on me with whom I had no previous acquaintance. He accounted for his visit, by telling me "I know that you are a preacher of religion, and I have called to re-mony of my own conscience. lieve the uncertainty of my own In proportion, as I found them mind. I heard you preach yes- unable to answer my reasoning, terday, I believe, and yet do not I renewed the force of my arbelieve." The discourse, which guments; until, I had bewilhe heard, was on an important dered the faith of several young Christian doctrine. After sun-men, and actually began myself dry questions were proposed to to doubt several truths, which him, he proceeded to give the I once most seriously believed. following account of himself: "I was the child of Christian parents, and educated in a belief of the scriptures and the necessity of a moral life."

Whether his education was under the care of his parents or

I am sensible that pride was the reason of my doing as I did. At the present time, I neither believe nor disbelieve, and have come to converse freely with you.

The narrative was singular;

the case, at that time of my life, appeared to me to be uncommon. I mentioned the common arguments for the truth of the scriptures and of the Christian religion, but found that he had uncommon dexterity in evading. I soon perceived, that although he was severely troubled by his 'own' conscience when left to himself, yet after we entered into conversation, his pride was flattered by his own expertness in raising objections against the truth. Several evenings were passed in this manner, when I told him, that no advantage to him would come from our acquaintance, and I feared he was sinking fast into deep infidelity. -Here our discourse and acquaintance ended.

call it, which bears a testimony for the truth and against error and vice, by this means, is weakened, so that some persons become almost as senseless of moral obligation, as the beasts of the field. They are in darkness, still, know not at what they stumble. This is that awful state, which the word of God describes by "the conscience being seared as with a hot iron." Both the natural and moral faculties of men are weakened thro' a neglect to make use of them. Those, who are created with the powers of intelligence, by neglecting to improve their understanding, may become almost ideots: So, a moral agent, by refusing the notices of his conscience, may sink into all the turpitude of vice, without knowing that he is a sinner.

There is another alarming consideration on this subject. The vindictive justice of God may begin to operate in this life, against those who wantonly or wilfully resist the truth.

unrighteousness in them that perish: Because they receive not a love of the truth that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they believe a lie: That they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in un

I have often reflected on this incident. It doubtless describes the way and means, through which many persons are led into the most destructive errors. Having an active imagination, they invent arguments against divine truths and their own duty, with surprising facility. Their" And with all deceivableness of pride is flattered, and they soon become eminent, in those circles for conversation, where the vain and wicked meet to amuse themselves. They, soon, in their own opinion, become more wise than their fathers, and with equal indifference, arraign at the bar of their own sagacity, the laws of God and of men.-righteousness."- "Because I Thus, many become established have called, and ye refused; I in iniquity, and some in infidelity. have stretched out my hand, It is, always, dangerous to rea- and no man regarded; but ye son falsely against the testimony have set at nought all my counof our own consciences. The sel, and would none of my remoral sense, or natural con- proof: I also will laugh at your science, or that natural principle calamity; I will mock when your of the intelligent mind, by what- fear cometh; when your fear ever name men may please to cometh as desolation, and your VOL. I. No. 4.

T

146

Letter from Christian on an indecent practice. [APLIT,

destruction cometh as a whirl-importance, either in church or wind; when anguish and dis-state, but found they were talktress cometh upon you. Then ing of the great rains, which shall they call upon me, but I fell the last summer, by which will not answer; they shall seek some part of every man's crop me early, but they shall not find was injured. Being disappointme: For that they hated know-ed in this instance, I approached ledge, and did not chuse the fear a second company, and found. they were discussing politics; then to a third, and the subject

of the Lord."

I

These testimonies from the word of God prove, that vindic-was the prospect of an Indian tive justice may begin to operate, War, of which a young man in in the present life. Whatever the western country had written On the whole, the power of conscience may be, to his friends. some influence, from the Spirit I thought this was not the best of God, is necessary to excite way of keeping the sabbath, serious attention; and when the went into the house of worship, omniscient eye of the Lord and after the minister had enterseeth his creatures sinning a-ed, all these people, in a great gainst sufficient knowledge of their duty, he may in his anger "Because I have called, and ye refused, I will laugh at your calamity." When all influence from the Spirit of God is withheld, men will fall into a state of remediless security. Let us, by this, be admonished not to grieve the Spirit of God, and thus wantonly and wilfully sin, by false reasonings against

say,

the truth.

B. P.

hurry, followed him, until the seats were filled.. Now, Sir, would it not have been better for these people, on their first coming to the sanctuary of God, to have taken their seats, and by meditation endeavoured to prepare their minds for the solemn duties of worship. We are not to rush into the presence of God as the horse rusheth into the battle. I have found benefit by meditation and prayer, in preparing myself for the worship of the sanctuary. Moreover, it appears to me indecent, that when we come together for reli

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CON- gious worship, such discourses

NECTICUT MAGAZINE.

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as I mentioned before, should be
suffered.

I am your friend,
CHRISTIAN.

REMARKS.

CHRISTIAN, in his own way, hath brought the subject of his Letter into full view. It is believed, that the

Gathering around the church, in companies, for conversation on vain or worldly subjects, be

indecency of which he complains is not general, in this part of the Christian church; still, the instances, in which it hap-fore the stated hour of public pens, merit reproof. "And God service, is an indecent and danblessed the sabbath day and gerous practice, which injures sanctified it because that the feelings of serious people, in it he had rested from his corrupts public sentiments of works, which God created and respect for the sabbath, and dismade." The appointment of a qualifies for uniting in solemn sabbath was from the beginning, prayer, or profiting by instruction sanctioned both by the example from the word of God. When and precept of the Creator.- youth hear their parents discourUnder every dispensation and sing on subjects of profit, or the state of the church, the com- new things of the day; soon in mand hath been repeated, "Re- their own select circles, they will member the Sabbath day to concert schemes of vanity for the keep it holy." Precepts, direc-whole week. All true friends ung the manner of its sanctifi- of order and religion, will unite cation, are numerous in the their influence to suppress the scriptures. The example of indecent practice, which is here Christ himself, to every true reproved, Christian, ought to be conclusive evidence of his duty. The sabbath is set apart for

ED.

NECTICUT MAGAZINE.

A CERTAIN Christian, not long since, was invited to attend an assembly of gentlemen and ladies, who were to convene for the common purposes of recreation, as practised, in most of the

holy duties and meditations. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CONAbstaining from servile labor is but a part of that rest, for which the day is appointed. Every person who is well instructed and conscientious, will abstain both from thoughts and discourse on worldly subjects. Prayer, reading the scriptures and other pious writings, self-ex-large towns and cities in the amination, together with an at- United States. The invitation tendance on public worship, will was very politely communicated furnish sufficient employment by one of the managers of the for the day, which is made sac- assembly, and accompanied with red to the glory of God and our every assurance, that all things own religious improvement, would be conducted with the.utAll those are deceived in their most propriety and decorum.— opinion, who think their duty is The said Christian excused himfulfilled, by a mere attendance self from giving an answer, at on the instructions of the pub the moment, but assured the lic teacher. For this attend-gentleman he would attend to it, ance, there ought to be a serious and return him one speedily. preparation of the heart, other-The following is the answer, exwise it is not probable the hear-cepting a few omissions of er will be profited. names, and alterations of phrases

for perspicuity's sake, to save | May they from time to time, the feelings of some who might be disobliged were this answer to be made public.

I

DEAR SIR,

:

meet with a single eye to thy
glory, and pursue this design
according to thy word. Save
them from every thing contrary
to thy pure and holy law, and the
precepts of the gospel. Save
them from all things which may
give any just cause for the ene--
mies of the Lord to blaspheme.
And we beseech thee to save
them from every thing which
may grieve thy children: or
bring a slur on the pure profes-
sion of holiness and piety. As
societies of this kind have al-
ways been spoken against by
thy saints as calculated to lead
into temptation and sin, we pray
thee more earnestly that this may
not give any occasion of grief,
by any unholy words or actions
by taking any forbidden liberties
in the use of meats or drinks-—

ACCEPT with the same kindness, your invitation to your social circle at Mr. B's, with which it was given and having assured you it should be duly attended to, have thought I could convey to you more precisely my ideas, concerning the propriety of my attendance, in this way, than any other. As the design of your meeting is universally said to be good by the members of it, I will not dispute this declaration in the least degree but would only ask, would it be agreeable to the company, who doubtless at supper time would wish for a blessing, to have me address theor such time as is appointed for Being in whom we live, in the following concise manner?

other religious duties! May we never sit down to eat and to drink, and rise up to play!! May we always utterly abhor every thing that partakes of chambering and wantonness, as absolutely forbidden by thee!! And not suffer ourselves to be surfeited with the business, pleasures, or amusements of the world, as we know thou wilt bring up the actions of every evening, before thy judgment seat at the last day, and wilt eternally punish those who are drowned in these

Infinitely glorious and blessed God-We are thy creatures and upheld by thee every moment. We bless thee for that kind care, thou hast ever taken of us till this time. We humbly pray thou wilt forgive our multiplied sins, which make us unworthy of thy distinguished favors.We thank thee for thy goodness to our souls and bodies, and in particular that thou hast spread this table with the rich bounties of thy providence for our re-surfeiting, soul-hardening pleafreshment-wilt thou bless them sures!! We pray most earnestto us for this end. We thank ly thou wouldest keep us in thy thee we may meet together for fear-that thou wouldest purify, the purposes of mutual friend-and keep us from all sin, by the ship, and to prepare ourselves to glorify thee more and better in the world. Wilt thou for this purpose, bless all those who statedly convene at this place.

blood of the cross-and may we feel thy blessed presence, and rejoice in it exceedingly and by our holy conversation, conduct, and mutual improvements

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