Review of The Bible not a dangerous Book. Let us glance at the various sects into which Christianity is divided over the face of the earth-let us reflect on the multitude of our fellow-beings who pursue the same journey by different paths, and let us be humble in the reflection; the conflicting opinions of man, like the disturbed clouds of heaven, darken and distract the expanse of intellectual light -his dissentions seldom create conviction-his humility always creates peace. Were any sect, or church, or party, to rest its claim to exclusive Christianity on the purity of its actions, and its perfect accordance with the Divine Lawthere is not one could sustain examination. Return to the history of past ages,-trace the deeds of fanatic religion, which are now, perhaps, denied or forgotten-observe how crime bore the character of justice, and carnage was hallowed in the name of the Peace-Maker. Who will justify the effects of religious zeal through the wars of the Crusades? or the cruelties that, at some periods, disgraced the annals of every christian state in the extermination of such opinions as were displeasing to the powerful party?-these were all accomplished in the name of Religion, and her precepts were perverted to defend them. Then where, amidst this retrospect of guilt-this certainty of error-shall we seek the immutable faith?-One standard alone remains unchanged and unchangeable, uncorrupted and incapable of corruption.— If you would seek the records of the Church of Christ, you will find them in-THE BIBLE-if you would commune with the members of that Church, you will find them in those who follow its rules. This is the shrine at which alone the heart must be purified-this is the test by which alone it must be tried. Man can never be happy or wise if excluded from the benefits of liberal research-his mind cannot understand the blessings the creation lays before him, if shut out from the means of examining them. Let the silent work of knowledge proceed-and, as the authority that controls, and the servitude that obeys, draw their supremacy and their submission from the same source, there is nothing wanted but a general illumination of mind to place all men on a mental equality. The spirit of charity may then pervade all hearts, and the bickerings of party rancour may then be forgotten in the common desire to promote concord. Let the silent work of knowledge proceed-a greater and more important blessing may result.- PUBLIC ABUSES MAY BE REFORMED WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE BLOODSHED AND CRIMINALITY OF PHYSICAL REVOLUTION. Isabel, a Dramatic Poem. Poetry. ISABEL, A DRAMATIC POEM. CHARACTERS. LINDENBERG-LOUIS. AGNES-AGATHA-MARINETTE-ISABEL. Monks, Peasants, &c. Scene.-Banks of the River Rhine. ACT I. SCENE 1st., The Banks of the Rhine-Mountainous Country beyond. Moonlight. Chorus of Peasants at a distance. CHORUS. Under the moonlight-sister and sire, That the night's cold tears had stained with dew, But day soon brightened their weeping leaves, And thus our hearts, with the sins of years Unpure and dark as the flowers of night, When bathed and blessed in our mountain stream, Dissolve to purity's holiest light. Enter Peasants, Women, and Children, carrying different parts of dress, &c. A pause Isabel, a Dramatic Poem. Spirit of the waves !-awake!— At thy spring our thirst we slake, Of eternal pardon.-Hush!— That was an unearthly strain,- -a wild air is heard over the river-the Peasants drop their garments into the stream. First Pea. Second Pea. The Music ceases. First Peasant. Now the potent charm is o'er Second Peasant. In the ocean, in the air. O'er the hills, and in the vales, Regent of the penance-hour, All things hearing-all things seeing. Female Peasant. The glowing stars shine deep In the stream they wake.- They separate. First and Second Peasants remain. Twelve moons have passed since at our holy task I well remember- Sleeping beneath the tranquil noon;-the woods First Pea. Isabel, a Dramatic Poem. And pastures where the foot of labor treads As if the various hues of earth commingled But say, How looked the aspect of that dreadful night And every moment promised brief destruction? First Pea. The shrieks of maids and matrons, and the cries The pauses of the storm were filled with sounds Then, What dreadful sights were there!-the noble temple, Smiled in the summer's sun, down the dark tide Were carried furiously;-trees rooted out From their rich soil;-and huge rocks-that did seem In human thought, to shake them-were like leaves Which could protect,-and he who thus had promised, And triumphed in, and bless'd some hours before— Second Pea. Let us not dwell on this A plaintive strain is heard at a distance. |