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Literary
October 11, 1819
The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Dr. Nott, President of Schenectady College, contrasts philosophy's limited, earthly perspective and uncertain longing for immortality with Christianity's confident guidance through death to eternal heavenly glory, reunion with friends, and divine presence.
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PHILOSOPHY AND CHRISTIANITY.
By Dr. Nott, President of the Schenectady (N.Y.)
College.
Philosophy confines its views to this world
principally. It endeavors to satisfy man with
the grovelling joys of earth till he returns to
that earth from which he was taken. Christianity takes a nobler flight. Her course is
directed towards immortality. Thither she
conducts her votary, and never forsakes him
till, having introduced him to the society of
angels, she fixes his eternal residence among
the spirits of the just. Philosophy can only
heave a sigh, a longing sigh after immortality.
Eternity to her is an unknown waste, in
which she soars on conjecture's trembling
wing. Above, beneath, around, is an
unfathomable void; and doubt, uncertainty, or
despair, are the result of all her inquiries.
Christianity, on the other hand, having furnished all necessary information concerning
life, with firm and undaunted step crosses
death's narrow isthmus, and boldly launches
forth into that dread futurity which borders on
it. Her path is marked with glory. The once
dark & dreary region lightens as she approaches it and benignly smiles as she passes over it.
Faith follows where she advances, till reaching the summit of the everlasting hills, an unknown scene in endless varieties of loveliness
and beauty presents itself, over which the
ravished eye wanders without a cloud to dim,
or a limit to obstruct its sight. In the midst
of this scene, rendered luminous by the glory
which covers it; the city, the palace, the
throne of God appears. Trees of life wave
their ambrosial tops around it; rivers of salvation issue from beneath it; before it angels
touch their harps of living melody and saints
in sweet response breathe forth to the listening heavens their grateful songs. The breezes
of paradise waft the symphony, and the pending sky directs it to the earth. The redeemed
of the Lord catch the distant sound, and feel a
sudden rapture. Tis the voice of departed
friendship, friendship, the loss of which they
mourned on earth, but which they are now
assured will be restored in the heavens, from
whence a voice is heard to say, fear not,
death cannot injure you; through its chill mansion, grace will conduct you up to glory. We
wait your arrival, haste, therefore, come away.
By Dr. Nott, President of the Schenectady (N.Y.)
College.
Philosophy confines its views to this world
principally. It endeavors to satisfy man with
the grovelling joys of earth till he returns to
that earth from which he was taken. Christianity takes a nobler flight. Her course is
directed towards immortality. Thither she
conducts her votary, and never forsakes him
till, having introduced him to the society of
angels, she fixes his eternal residence among
the spirits of the just. Philosophy can only
heave a sigh, a longing sigh after immortality.
Eternity to her is an unknown waste, in
which she soars on conjecture's trembling
wing. Above, beneath, around, is an
unfathomable void; and doubt, uncertainty, or
despair, are the result of all her inquiries.
Christianity, on the other hand, having furnished all necessary information concerning
life, with firm and undaunted step crosses
death's narrow isthmus, and boldly launches
forth into that dread futurity which borders on
it. Her path is marked with glory. The once
dark & dreary region lightens as she approaches it and benignly smiles as she passes over it.
Faith follows where she advances, till reaching the summit of the everlasting hills, an unknown scene in endless varieties of loveliness
and beauty presents itself, over which the
ravished eye wanders without a cloud to dim,
or a limit to obstruct its sight. In the midst
of this scene, rendered luminous by the glory
which covers it; the city, the palace, the
throne of God appears. Trees of life wave
their ambrosial tops around it; rivers of salvation issue from beneath it; before it angels
touch their harps of living melody and saints
in sweet response breathe forth to the listening heavens their grateful songs. The breezes
of paradise waft the symphony, and the pending sky directs it to the earth. The redeemed
of the Lord catch the distant sound, and feel a
sudden rapture. Tis the voice of departed
friendship, friendship, the loss of which they
mourned on earth, but which they are now
assured will be restored in the heavens, from
whence a voice is heard to say, fear not,
death cannot injure you; through its chill mansion, grace will conduct you up to glory. We
wait your arrival, haste, therefore, come away.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Death Mortality
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Philosophy
Christianity
Immortality
Eternity
Faith
Heaven
Death
Glory
Salvation
What entities or persons were involved?
By Dr. Nott, President Of The Schenectady (N.Y.) College.
Literary Details
Title
Philosophy And Christianity.
Author
By Dr. Nott, President Of The Schenectady (N.Y.) College.
Key Lines
Philosophy Confines Its Views To This World Principally.
Christianity Takes A Nobler Flight. Her Course Is Directed Towards Immortality.
Eternity To Her Is An Unknown Waste, In Which She Soars On Conjecture's Trembling Wing.
Her Path Is Marked With Glory. The Once Dark & Dreary Region Lightens As She Approaches It And Benignly Smiles As She Passes Over It.
Tis The Voice Of Departed Friendship Friendship, The Loss Of Which They Mourned On Earth, But Which They Are Now Assured Will Be Restored In The Heavens.