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Literary
June 17, 1841
Watchman Of The South
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
A prose reflection warning against resisting moral and spiritual arguments, which hardens the heart against future warnings, using a metaphor of metal beaten into hardness. Attributed to Chalmers.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS.
The metal of the human soul, so to speak, is like some material substance. If the force which you lay upon it do not break or dissolve it, it will beat it into hardness. If the moral argument by which it is plied now, do not so soften the mind as to carry and overpower its purposes, then on another day the argument may be put forth, in terms as impressive, but it falls on a harder heart, and therefore with a more slender efficiency. You have resisted to-day, and by that resistance, you have acquired a firmer metal of resistance against the power of every future warning that may be brought to bear upon you. You have stood your ground against the urgency of the most earnest admonition, and against the dreadfulness of the most terrifying menaces. On that ground, you have fixed yourself more immovably than before; and though, on some future day, the same spiritual thunder be made to play around you, it will not shake you out of the obstinacy of your determined rebellion.—Chalmers.
The metal of the human soul, so to speak, is like some material substance. If the force which you lay upon it do not break or dissolve it, it will beat it into hardness. If the moral argument by which it is plied now, do not so soften the mind as to carry and overpower its purposes, then on another day the argument may be put forth, in terms as impressive, but it falls on a harder heart, and therefore with a more slender efficiency. You have resisted to-day, and by that resistance, you have acquired a firmer metal of resistance against the power of every future warning that may be brought to bear upon you. You have stood your ground against the urgency of the most earnest admonition, and against the dreadfulness of the most terrifying menaces. On that ground, you have fixed yourself more immovably than before; and though, on some future day, the same spiritual thunder be made to play around you, it will not shake you out of the obstinacy of your determined rebellion.—Chalmers.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious
What keywords are associated?
Hardened Hearts
Moral Argument
Spiritual Warning
Resistance To Admonition
Obstinate Rebellion
What entities or persons were involved?
Chalmers
Literary Details
Title
Harden Not Your Hearts.
Author
Chalmers
Key Lines
The Metal Of The Human Soul, So To Speak, Is Like Some Material Substance. If The Force Which You Lay Upon It Do Not Break Or Dissolve It, It Will Beat It Into Hardness.
You Have Resisted To Day, And By That Resistance, You Have Acquired A Firmer Metal Of Resistance Against The Power Of Every Future Warning That May Be Brought To Bear Upon You.
Though, On Some Future Day, The Same Spiritual Thunder Be Made To Play Around You, It Will Not Shake You Out Of The Obstinacy Of Your Determined Rebellion.