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BEAUTIES OF COLLYER.

FACTS.

REVELATION.

REVELATION has done that for man, which neither reason nor philosophy could effect. In the exercise of the powers of our mind, upon the scenery by which we are surrounded, we rise to the great Parent of all; and deduce some conclusions respecting his nature, from the operations of his hand: yet have we seen that these conclusions were frequently erroneous. The religion of nature cannot go further than to teach us that there is a God, all-powerful, all-wise, all-good; and this is more than it taught the heathen world perfectly. But it leaves us ignorant of our relation to him; it is unable to unravel the more interesting parts of his character; it cannot develope the harmony of his attributes. A thousand inquiries are suggested, to which we receive no answer. We are placed in circumstances for which, on principles of reason, we cannot account; and perceive the existence of evil, unable to discover its source. We labour under a curse, from which, by the light of

nature, we see no deliverance; and are in possession of an existence, for which we perceive no adequate end. Those things which are the most interesting, are also the most uncertain; and that which we know naturally, only serves to kindle a thirst to learn more, which, on the principles of nature and reason merely, cannot be satiated. For what has the light of philosophy done, but rendered darkness visible? It has strained the powers of reason and imagination, till they could be stretched no further; yet without bringing one hidden truth to light. It has perplexed and bewildered the mind by contradictory hypotheses. It has exhausted the charms of eloquence, and enervated the force of argument, in establishing favourite systems upon the ruins of those which preceded them, only to be pulled down in their turns, to make way for others equally absurd, and equally false. After dragging us through mazes of intricate reasoning, it leaves us precisely at the point at which it found us, all uncertainty, obscurity, and suspense. "The world by wisdom know not God." We appeal to facts-they are before you-and we confidently expect your decision upon their testimony.

It is here that Revelation takes up the process, and disperses the mist of uncertainty. It professes not, indeed, to reason upon subjects beyond the comprehension of the human mind; but it reveals the fact, and requires our assent to it: which we may safely give, although we do not comprehend

the whole of that which is revealed. Those parts which we do comprehend, we conceive to be true and wise; may we not reasonably conclude that those which we do not completely understand, are equally so; and that the deficiency is in our natural powers, and not in the subject investigated? Those who call upon you to relinquish your Bibles, have not attempted to fathom the depths of futurity. They rather wish you to consider the scanty period of "three score years and ten," the boundary of the hopes, the joys, and the expectations of man. They place beyond death-ANNIHILATION! The thought is insufferable! Say, you who have dropped the parting tear into the grave of those whom you loved-is this a consoling system? Are the most tender connections dissolved to be renewed no more? Must I resign my brother, my parent, my friend, my child-FOR EVER? What an awful import these words bear! Standing upon the grave of my family, must I say to its departed members, "Farewell! ye who were once the partners of my joys and sorrows! I leaned upon you for support; I poured my tears into your bosom; I received from your hands the balm of sympathy-But it is no more! No more shall I receive your kindness; no more shall I behold you! The cold embrace of death clasps your mouldering bodies, and the shadows of an impenetrable midnight brood For EVER upon your sepulchres!" No! We cannot relinquish Christianity for a system which conducts us to this fearful close! When scepticism shall

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