Oration Delivered Before the Biennial Convention of the Alpha Delta Phi Society, at New Haven, Conn., Aug. 15, 1839, on the Law and Means of Social Ad

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. 1839. Excerpt: ... appeal must be from selfishness, and ambition, and passion, and rapacity, to those sentiments and principles which link man to his fellow, and endear the general welfare to all human affections: which, partaking the grand benignity of God, draw the great family more and more cordially together under the smiles of the common Parent, and bind it into one universal and holy brotherhood of fellowship and love. Let it not be doubted that such principles exist; wrought originally into the constitution of human nature, as pledges of the world's salvation. Mankind have indeed run a wide cycle of depravation; yet with what force Right and Truth still hold their dominion over the human mind, what illustrious witness! What glorious and immortal records! There is not a chapter in history so foul with guilt, that it does not exhibit some honorable testimony to human virtue;--some bright spot that looks out from the gloomy and deformed page, as a star looks through the raging tempest of midnight, from the depths of its blue and beautiful home. Truth, which represents universal good, liberty, art, science, religion, philosophy, and improvement, has never been left upon earth wholly without witness. Her cause is that of humanity itself; and what a world of sacrifice and martyrdom attests her holy power among the children of men! Amidst the grossest idolatry of error, there have ever been found kneeling in her wide temple some pure and humble worshippers: and in the darkest and most corrupt times, her altars have smoked with willing blood. War indeed calls humanity into action; and, though at an infinite sacrifice, developes and carries it forward: but God Himself is in Truth; and wherever it works on the human soul, there He also works, to enlighten and purify it, and ex...