CHAPTER II - SPIRIT OF RELIGION
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 August 2010
Summary
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Paul the Apostle.“Hands full of hearty labours: pains that pay
And prize themselves—do much that more they may.
No cruel guard of diligent cares, that keep
Crowned woes awake, as things too wise for sleep:
But reverend discipline, religious fear,
And soft obedience, find sweet biding here.
Silence, and sacred rest, peace and pure joys—
Kind loves keep house, lie close, and make no noise.
And room enough for monarchs, while none swells
Beyond the limits of contentful cells.
The self-remembering soul sweetly recovers
Her kindred with the stars: not basely bovers
Below—but meditates th' immortal way
Home to the source of light and intellectual day.”
Crashaw.Society in America is as much in a transition state about religion as France and England are about politics. The people are in advance of the clergy in America, as the English are in advance of such of their political institutions as are in dispute. Discouraging as the aspect of religious profession in America is on a superficial survey, a closer study will satisfy the observer that all will be well; that the most democratic, of nations is religious at heart; and that its superstitions and offences against the spirit of Christianity are owing to temporary influences.
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- Society in America , pp. 254 - 270Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009First published in: 1837