623. JOH 8:32. THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIAN TRUTH
Joh_8:32. The Influence of Christian Truth
By Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D.
"The truth shall make you free."’97Joh_8:32.
That Christianity, believed and regarded, has a tendency to exalt the character and increase the happiness of mankind, is a doctrine clearly implied in our text. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Without repeating the whole con text, or giving a disquisition on the metaphorical language which runs through it, I shall be justified in calling your attention, at once, to the doctrine already stated; and leading you to consider at large, the influence of Christianity on the character and happiness of mankind.
I. Let us consider the influence of Christianity on the character and happiness of man, viewed simply as an intellectual being.
If we can prove, that Christianity encourages a spirit of free inquiry and philosophical investigation’97that it tends to enlarge the sphere of human knowledge, and promote intellectual improvement’97the inference will follow, that it elevates the character, and adds to the happiness of mankind. This must be admitted, or stupidity is a blessing; and unrestrained indulgence of passion, a duty. I know much has been said in praise of ignorance; and even genius, with all her inventions and acquisitions, has been charged with the crime of entailing mischief and misery on the world. But experience satisfactorily confutes the presumptuous charge. The happiness of ignorance and stupidity is only negative; it is the appropriate happiness of the brute, not of man’97not of beings endowed with intellectual foresight, and capable of anticipation.
Whatever, therefore, tends to promote intellectual improvement, and advance the cause of science, must elevate the character and increase the felicity of man; must give to the individuals, who are brought under its influence, increased susceptibility of enjoyment, and additional power of rendering others happy. Now such, we contend, is the natural tendency of Christianity. Its very spirit is liberty’97not only liberty of action, but liberty of thought, liberty of inquiry. It challenges investigation’97it awakens curiosity’97it dignifies truth.
For further proof and illustration of our position, let us appeal to facts. Where has science prevailed? By whom has literature been refined? In what ages and countries has philosophy’97sound, salutary philosophy’97been most, successfully cultivated? A reference to history, and a view of the civilized world, will furnish an answer to these inquiries, at once proving and illustrating our doctrine.
Talents, sanctified by Divine grace, and moved by Christian motives, constitutes a mind like Newton’s’97consistent, splendid, happy; and leads to such investigations as he made, which, like the orbs of heaven, whose tracks he followed and whose laws he revealed, will continue to enlighten and guide all future generations. Let us consider,
II. The influence of Christianity on the character and happiness of man, viewed more particularly as a moral being.
The discussion of this topic we commence with the broad position, that in proportion as man feels and regards his moral relations, other circumstances being equal, will be his power of enjoying and communicating happiness.
I point you, with confidence in the result, to those Christian countries, where no arbitrary restraints are imposed on free inquiry; and to those individuals who receive the Bible as the word of God, yield a willing submission to its authority, and abide by its decisions, without gainsaying; who have imbibed the spirit of the gospel, and received its peculiar truths in love; who, in the very language of inspiration, have been "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God," 1Pe_1:23; and are, therefore, sincere, experimental, practical Christians. Let the appeal be made here; and let facts decide the question, if in the minds of any it remains a question, What is the moral tendency of Christianity? Let us consider,
III. The influence of Christianity on the character and happiness of man, viewed as a member of civil society, and a subject of civil government.
Christianity exalts the character and promotes the happiness of mankind, by giving at once the blessings of social order and civil liberty. Standing on the history of the world, I can establish this position. Nothing like civil liberty, united with social order and security, now exists in any country beyond the limits of Christian influence. And within these limits, the degree of settled liberty may be pretty accurately measured by the purity and extent of this influence.
It has gradually modified and improved the law of nations, leading them to admit in theory, and begin to feel in practice, that they are moral persons, bound by moral obligation, to observe, in their intercourse with each other, the great Christian law of love. Especially, has it improved that portion of international law, which relates to war’97softening its rigor, mitigating its horrors, and thus preparing the way for that mighty and glorious change, which it is destined to effect, when "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks,"’97when "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall learn war any more," Isa_2:4.
Application
1. In making an application of the subject of this discourse, I have little to say; for the lessons of gratitude, and consolation, and duty, which it suggests, are exceedingly obvious; and they must already have been presented to every reflecting mind, and impressed on every pious and benevolent heart. How obvious, my Christian brethren, is the inference, that we are under peculiar obligations of gratitude, to our God and Redeemer, for our distinguished Christian privileges. We live in Immanuel’s land! To us Christianity has come, in all her simplicity and splendor, in all her beauty and glory. We have the Bible in our hands; we may learn its truths, and obey its injunctions without fear or restraint.
2. Again. How obvious is the lesson of consolation and joy, which flows from our subject, in connection with the prophetic assurance of the future triumphs of the gospel. If Christianity, in its limited operations, has done so much to meliorate the condition of mankind, what must be its effects, when its influence shall have become universal and unrestrained; reaching all lands, purifying all hearts, and controlling the counsels of all nations!
3. Finally. How obvious is the inference from our doctrine, that it is the duty of every Christian to aid the cause of Christian missions. The wretched state of the heathen, of Jews, of Mohammedans, and even of multitudes nominally Christian, must awaken the tenderest sympathies, excite the most ardent and importunate prayers, and rouse all the energies of the renewed soul.
My brethren, we have placed before us the strongest motives to induce us vigorously to engage in this cause of love. The sublimity of the enterprise, the certainty of ultimate success, the signs of the times, and, what is paramount to all other considerations, the command, the last command, of our blessed Redeemer, urges to active exertion and persevering effort in this cause!
Autor: JABEZ BURNS