The Young Man's Friend and Guide Through Life to Immortality

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852. Excerpt: ... Secondly, consider The Character Of The Men That Ahe Wanted For The Age. This will lead me to state what you should be. What? Men of the age--and for it. Men worthy of it--that can avail themselves of its opportunities for getting good, and doing good--that catch its spirit, and receive its impress--that can even do something to improve it, as well as be improved by it--that are wiser, holier, more benevolent, more active, than their fathers--that, like those of the tribe of Issachar, "understand the times, and know what Israel ought to do." As the basis of everything else--of all the talents and the virtues by which you can act most beneficially, I mention, of course, personal religion. Maintaining, as I do, that real religion is the chief element in the world's well-being, as well as in the happiness of each individual, I ought to mention this as the first thing essentially necessary in him who would benefit the age in which he lives. I do not yield to any one in my views of the value and importance of the sciences, literature, and the arts; I am as strenuous an advocate of liberty as can be found; but then I contend that these will never renew the human heart, nor restore it to peace. It is religion more than these things, or than all other things, that the nations want for their repose and felicity; and he that would do most to bless his species, must seek to spread the blessings of Christianity. When I speak of religion being the worlds best friend, I mean religion as we have it pure in the Bible, and in the hearts and lives of its true believers; and not as it is presented in the corrupt organic forms which it has assumed in the creeds, in the churches, the constitutions, and the professions of some that call themselves Christians--I mean the religi...

Religião e Espiritualidade