The Christian Disciple and Theological Review (Volume 2)

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. 1821. Excerpt: ... THE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE. NEW SERIES No. 11. For September and October, 1820. THOUGHTS ON TRUE AND FALSE RELIGION. Considered merely in relation to this world, there is no subject, on which it is more important for us to hold correct opinions, than the subject of religion. There are no questions of such.interest to us, as those which it proposes to answer. There is no department of knowledge, in which ignorance and error so essentially affect the character and condition of individuals and of society. Determine the relative degrees of virtue and happiness, in different communities; and you will have determined the relative degrees, in which the influence of correct religious principle is felt; and, on the other hand, false notions of religion, ignorance and superstition will be found in nearly the same proportions as vice and misery. There is abundant proof of the fact just stated. We find evidence of it in the condition of the most polished heathen nations, the Greeks and Romans. There is indeed a deceptive glare cast around them by the vivid splendors of art and genius; and we are liable to be deluded likewise by a vulgar, school-boy admiration of virtues, which never existed but in fancy; and of which scarce any other show of evidence is to be found, but in some high-sounding epithets, used by such writers as Livy in compliment to their countrymen; and interpreted at the present day in conformity to our own notions of moral excellence, and not those of a heathen. But putting aside these causes of error, if wre examine into the real condition of those ancient nations, we shall find melancholy and decisive evidence of the fact maintained. It will gather round us from every side. Their religion, erroneous, imbecile and corrupting as it was, will be found a t...