The Remains of the REV. Charles Henry Wharton, D.D.; With a Memoir of His Life, by George Washington Doane, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of New-Jersey. (Paperback)

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.1834 Excerpt: ... A SHORT INQUIRY, &c Having long accustomed myself to mistrust the prejudices of early education, and to pay that deference to modern researches after truth to which they are so justly entitled, from the philosophic and inquisitive spirit of the times, I have been induced to employ this winter's retirement and relaxation from business, in taking a survey of the leading doctrines of the Christian religion. With this view, I have perused with attention, several modern writers of eminence upon religious controversies, who affect, or possess the fame of candid inquiry; and although the boldness of some of them in rejecting the most received doctrines of Christianity, startled me at first, yet reflecting that the explosion of manifest absurdities, has often the same effect upon minds bewildered in the mazes of prejudice, it served rather to whet than blunt the edge of eager investigation. It has ever been my settled opinion, that there can be no stronger symptom of a little and grovelling mind, especially in persons of education and science, than a torpid indifference to truths that interest the noblest portion of our nature, occasioned by a total effusion of the affections upon this perishable world. Persons of this cast must either disbelieve their existence in a future state of being, or be censured as unwise, in disregarding doctrines that point to a happy or miserable hereafter. On the other hand, when a sincere and keen solicitude for the most sublime and interesting truths, engages the mind in perplexing doubts and obscure researches, until rewarded for its labours, it basks at length in the delicious blaze of security and conviction, then may we pronounce such a mind the perfection of the rational nature, and an object of complacency to God and men. It wa...