Methodist Quarterly Review, Vol. 34 PDF Download

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ISBN: 9781330826836
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 644

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Excerpt from Methodist Quarterly Review, Vol. 34: 1852 Still, the belief, fluctuating but indestructible, remains - that time, and change, and circumstance, and the potency of some novel scheme, or the influence of some cherished name, will end the long sorrow, and ultimately "lead up the golden year." The reasonableness of the anticipation, and the particular form which it assumes, vary necessarily with the condition of the age in which it is entertained, and the character of the relief or advancement which may be required; and, we may add, that seldom is the belief more sincere than when it is without adequate foundation. But the natural tendency, in its diverse manifestations, whether romantically looking for the resuscitation of King Arthur, or impelling the Mormons to the Valley of the Salt Lake, produces many false hopes, and leads to the acknowledgment of many as prophets and deliverers, who have no claim to such honour, or an inadequate one. But, with the tenacious hope of better days to come, with the anxiety for some stable faith as a refuge from perplexing difficulties and constant uncertainty in regard to things human or divine, and with the perverse attachment to error once embraced, especially if recommended by novelty - which are all so pre-eminently characteristic of the human family - the blind credulity of a hasty superstition adheres more tenaciously to its newly-discovered idol, than a well-founded belief adheres to an object of legitimate veneration. It is thus the part of prudence to dispel, if possible, the haze of an impending delusion before it has gathered into a settled atmosphere of cloud; and to challenge the mission and the revelation of an alleged prophet, whom it is proposed to recognise, before his authority becomes firmly established, and his dream is consolidated into an accepted creed. The last half-century has been singularly prolific of new schemes of philosophy- wide sweeping and universal in their pretensions; and in new projects of social reform, designed to remodel the whole framework of society, and to induct new and purer forms of organization over the ruins of all existing institutions. Genius, learning, ingenuity, and, we will add, self-sacrificing and sincere enthusiasm, have been displayed in the construction of these vast theories. We must lament the application of such earnest zeal and such splendid intellectual powers to the overthrow of Christianity as a necessary preliminary to the attainment of the ultimate aims. It remains for the future to disclose whether the originators of these devices have attained the highest flight to which the human intellect is destined to range in the current hundred years, or have yet "dissolved the riddle of the earth;" or whether they may not be still reserved for us a nobler, juster, and more comprehensive philosophy. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.