son in a glass, or cup; when, by making a sign of the cross over it, (as do the Catholics, I suppose) he expelled the deadly influence, which came forth in the shape of a serpent. In allusion to this, he is sometimes represented, in pictures, with a cup beside him, from the mouth of which a serpent is seen issuing.* Very wonderful stories are related of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, which many a son of Erin most conscientiously believes to be strictly true. There are thousands of Irishmen whom it would be difficult, if not impossible, to convince, that St. Patrick did not miraculously expel all the snakes and frogs that are said to have once inhabited the Emerald Isle. In our own time, the Mormons, of whom there are many thousands overrunning the fertile regions of the far South-West, claim that they are possessed with the power of curing diseases, by the "laying on of hands";-and in some instances, their efforts, in this respect, are said to have proved successful. Their mode of operation, I am told, is similar to the manipulating process adopted by Mesmerizers, when they seek to relieve headache, nervous affections, &c. Whatever we may think of their pretensions, it can be proved that in some cases they have relieved invalids, by an influence of some sort, exerted upon either the physical constitution or the imagination. For myself, I have no *In the "Christian's Annual," for 1846, a gift-book, edited by Rev. Rufus W. Griswold, there is a Vignette engraving of the apostle, accompanied by this device. doubt that the healing power which they have successfully employed, is the same which, when used by others, is termed Animal Magnetism.* In consideration of the facts which I have now mentioned, to which many others might be added, it appears to me that true religion should be based upon something stronger than reputed miracles. It is a common maxim, that Truth is able to bear its own weight. Now Christianity is the living and eternal Truth of God. Miracles or no miracles, Christianity is true. And no inquiries into the subject of alleged supernaturalism can jeopardize the stability of the true Church; for that grand superstructure is immovable. It rests not upon the back of "Saint PETER," or any other Peter, but is founded upon the immutable rock of its own intrinsic excellency; and the gates of the Kingdom of Darkness cannot prevail against it! The Spirit that walks forever through the various apartments of this beautiful edifice, and welcomes, with a heavenly smile, each wandering child of humanity who seeks its portal, has a heart whose pulsations can never cease. She needs not the galvanizing of miracle, to renew her being, or impart elasticity and vigor to her movements; for hers is a life charmed and immortal. But I shall doubtless be told, in opposition to what I have said, that Jesus himself appealed to his wonderful works, to substantiate his claims as a true Teacher. *Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, who lectured, a few years since, on the subject of this mysterious influence, styled it "Living Magnetism.” Very true but did he always appeal to miraculous works? In speaking of "works," did he not sometimes have in view his wonderful instructions? his impressive counsels, and his clear, pertinent and forcible illustrations, resulting from his comprehensive knowledge, and far-seeing spiritual vision? To me, these evince more greatness than miracles wrought upon dull insensate matter. A sensual magnetizer may cure epilepsy; and yet be too gross to perceive the delicate affinities of spiritual truth. John was evidently the best reporter of the sermons and conversations of Jesus. I think he oftener approximated to the deep meaning of Christ, than did either Matthew or Peter. As for Mark and Luke, as I have before repeatedly said, they wrote what they received from others; may be, fifth-handed, perhaps even more indirect than that. From John's representation, it would seem that Jesus sometimes applied the term works to his teachings. If such be not the case, how shall we explain the following language? "The WORDS that I SPEAK unto you, I speak not of myself; but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the WORKS. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the WORKS that I do shall he do also; and GREATER works than these shall he do."* If miraculous "works" constituted the "seal of * John, xiv. 10-12. Christ's Messiahship," would not those believers in him, who it is promised, should do "greater works," give evidence of being greater Messiahs? I regard this as a consideration of more than minor importance: for some think it blasphemous to intimate, that any one shall ever appear on the earth, who shall be greater than Christ. JESUS INCULCATED NO MORAL AND RELIGIOUS PRINCI. PLES THAT HAD NOT BEEN TAUGHT BEFORE. However startling this assertion may be to some minds, it can be verified by testimony purely Biblical; to say nothing of the evidence, from Chinese history, that the Golden Rule, as we term it, was a precept enjoined by the philosopher CONFUCIUS, who was born more than five hundred years before Christ. I will now endeavor to substantiate what I say, by a few references to some parts of the Old Testament. 1. The Existence of One Supreme Being. The recognition of this truth lies at the very foundation of Christianity. Yet no person will pretend to say that Jesus was the first to announce it; for the Old Testament everywhere treats of God, and David speaks of him who denies his existence, as a fool.* 2. The Divine Paternity; and the consequent proposition, the Universal Brotherhood of Man. We find these sentiments taught very plainly in the books of Isaiah and Malachi: * Psalms, liii. 1. "Doubtless thou art OUR FATHER, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art OUR FATHER, our Redeemer; thy name is from everlasting."* "Have we not all ONE FATHER? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his BROTHER?”† 3. The Sufficiency of Moral Goodness, and its Superiority over Rites and Sacrifices. In no part of the New Testament are these ideas more clearly and emphatically expressed, than in the following passages from Ecclesiastes and the book of Micah: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves of a year old? will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed me, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to Do JUSTLY, and to LOVE MERCY, and to WALK HUMBLY with thy God?"§ 4. The Golden Rule. "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to Isa. lxiii. 16. † Mal. ii. 10. Eccles. xii. 13. Micah, vi. 6-8. See also Isa. i. 10-17. Iviii. 5-8. |