Page:Sketch of Connecticut, Forty Years Since.djvu/257

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
FORTY YEARS SINCE.
245

ker, and the immortal to its home. Why is it then that, among our many healers of the body, we find so few qualified to act as physicians to the soul?"

The disciple of Esculapius, who was also a follower of Christ, replied—

"Whoever penetrates into the secret springs of his frame, must be constrained to acknowledge that he is; "fearfully and wonderfully made." Anatomy, like Astronomy, points the eye to an infinite Architect. But simply to acknowledge the existence of a God is far from being the whole of Christianity. Thus far the devils believe, while they tremble. You have thought, Sir, that a constant view of the pains, and infirmities of our race ought to awaken piety. Thus the most eloquent apostle asserted, that the goodness of God ought to lead men to repentance. But the perverseness, which in one case produces ingratitude, in the other generates pride. He boasts that his science can arrest the ravages of disease, and tear the victory from death. So that "Him, in whose hand is his breath, hath he not glorified." Besides, our familiarity with all the modifications of distress blunts that sensibility, through which alone it can convey a lesson to the heart. Our danger is of materialism, of resting in natural religion, or of elevating the pride of science into the place of God. From all these His Spirit can deliver us."

This excellent man, who happily blended piety with professional skill, resided in the northern part of the town, and was the writer of that epitaph on a son of the depart-