Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
charity towards all men . " But in casting our eyes over this world again , we find it inhabited by intelligent creatures , whose existence is involved in as much mystery as the world itself ; yea more , for we find those creatures capable of holding converse with each other , experiencing pleasure ancl pain , sickness and dying : and when we ask , how came they hero , where shall we turn for an answer 1 Shall
we go to the philosopher 1—alas , he stands mute , and we still inquire , how came man into this world ? The answer is to be found in the Word of God : — " God created man in his own image , and after his likeness . " If , then , man bears the image and likeness of God , I presume it will not be questioned that the manifest design of Deity , in creating the world , was to make it the peaceftd and happy abode of the creature ; and in filling up this magnificent
temple for this specific object , the wisdom and goodness of the Creator seems to have been mutually employed to adapt everything to his capacity for enjoyment . The heavens above and the earth beneath , with , its rivers , lakes , and seas conspire to make perfect his bliss , and to forward all his laudable undertakings . I cannot refrain from giving you a poetic quotation illustrative of this point : —
" Ask for what end the heavenly bodies shine , Earth for whose use—man answers , ' tis for mine ! For me kind nature makes her genial power , Suckles each herb , and spreads out every flower : For me the mine a thousand treasures brings ; For me health gashes from a thousand springs . Seas roll to waft me , suns to light me rise ; My footstool earth , my canopy the skies . "
Paradise , that hallowed garden , planted by God ' s own hand , received the great progenitor of our race . He entered its pleasant abode , not as we now behold his offspring , deformed and polluted by crime , but as pure and spotless as those beings who dwell nearest the throne of God . Guile was not found upon his lips ; pollution had not thrown its blighting curse over his moral sky ; sin had
not placed wormwood and gall in his cup of earthly happiness , but dignity and glory , the very impress of the Deity , were stamped upon his visage , showing that he bore affinity to the Spirit above . But man is not that pure and sinless being now ; his pristine glory has departed , and clouds darken his spiritual horizon . How child-like is all his knowledge , how scanty at best his highest attainments ; how
soon is the cup of pleasure hurled from his lips , and he left to mourn through life ruined hopes and blasted expectations . But gloomy as his fate may appear , man is not left to grope his way in utter darkness ; the Star of Bethlehem throws its mellow light on his pathway , and points him to a celestial temple where his enjoyments will be spiritual and eternal . Its light pierces the darkness ofthe grave , and reveals the resurrection power ofthe "Lion ofthe tribe of Judah . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
charity towards all men . " But in casting our eyes over this world again , we find it inhabited by intelligent creatures , whose existence is involved in as much mystery as the world itself ; yea more , for we find those creatures capable of holding converse with each other , experiencing pleasure ancl pain , sickness and dying : and when we ask , how came they hero , where shall we turn for an answer 1 Shall
we go to the philosopher 1—alas , he stands mute , and we still inquire , how came man into this world ? The answer is to be found in the Word of God : — " God created man in his own image , and after his likeness . " If , then , man bears the image and likeness of God , I presume it will not be questioned that the manifest design of Deity , in creating the world , was to make it the peaceftd and happy abode of the creature ; and in filling up this magnificent
temple for this specific object , the wisdom and goodness of the Creator seems to have been mutually employed to adapt everything to his capacity for enjoyment . The heavens above and the earth beneath , with , its rivers , lakes , and seas conspire to make perfect his bliss , and to forward all his laudable undertakings . I cannot refrain from giving you a poetic quotation illustrative of this point : —
" Ask for what end the heavenly bodies shine , Earth for whose use—man answers , ' tis for mine ! For me kind nature makes her genial power , Suckles each herb , and spreads out every flower : For me the mine a thousand treasures brings ; For me health gashes from a thousand springs . Seas roll to waft me , suns to light me rise ; My footstool earth , my canopy the skies . "
Paradise , that hallowed garden , planted by God ' s own hand , received the great progenitor of our race . He entered its pleasant abode , not as we now behold his offspring , deformed and polluted by crime , but as pure and spotless as those beings who dwell nearest the throne of God . Guile was not found upon his lips ; pollution had not thrown its blighting curse over his moral sky ; sin had
not placed wormwood and gall in his cup of earthly happiness , but dignity and glory , the very impress of the Deity , were stamped upon his visage , showing that he bore affinity to the Spirit above . But man is not that pure and sinless being now ; his pristine glory has departed , and clouds darken his spiritual horizon . How child-like is all his knowledge , how scanty at best his highest attainments ; how
soon is the cup of pleasure hurled from his lips , and he left to mourn through life ruined hopes and blasted expectations . But gloomy as his fate may appear , man is not left to grope his way in utter darkness ; the Star of Bethlehem throws its mellow light on his pathway , and points him to a celestial temple where his enjoyments will be spiritual and eternal . Its light pierces the darkness ofthe grave , and reveals the resurrection power ofthe "Lion ofthe tribe of Judah . "