Page:The Voice of Truth.djvu/23

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GEN. JAS. ARLINGTON BENNETT.
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and years, and filled you with light; for facts, like diamonds, not only cut glass, but they are the most precious jewels on earth. The spirit of prophesy is the testimony of Jesus.

The world at large, is ever ready to credit the writings of Homer, Hesiod, Plutarch, Socrotes, Pythagoras, Virgil, Josephus, Mahomet, and an hundred others, but where, tell me where, have they left a line, a simple method of solving the truth of the plan of eternal life? Says the Savior, 'if any man will do his (the Father's) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.'[1] Here then is a method of solving the 'divinity' of men by the divinty within yourself, that as far exceeds the calculation of numbers, as the sun exceeds a candle. Would to God that all men understood it, and were willing to be governed by it, that when one had filled the measure of his days, he could exclaim like Jesus, 'veni, mori, et reviviscere!'

Your good wishes to 'go ahead' coupled with Mahomet and a 'right hand man,' are rather more vain than virtuous. Why, sir, Cæsar had his right hand Brutus, who was his 'left hand' assassin, not however applying the allusion to you.

As to the private seal you mention, if sent to me, I shall receive it with the gratitude of a servant of God, and pray that the donor may receive a reward in the resurrection of the just.

The summit of your future fame seems to be hid in the political policy of a 'mathematical problem' for the chief magistracy of this state, which I suppose might be solved by 'double position,' where the errors of the supposition are used to produce a true answer.

But, sir, when I leave the dignity and honor I received from heaven, to boost a man into power, through the aid of my friends, where the evil and designing, after the object has been accomplished, can lock up the clemency intended as a reciprocation for such favors; and where the wicked and unprincipled, as a matter of course, would seize the opportunity, to flintify the hearts of the nation against me for dabbling at a sly game in politics; verily, I say, when I leave the dignity and honor of heaven, to gratify the ambition and vanity of man or men, may my power cease, like the strength of Samson, when he was shorn of his locks, while asleep in the lap of Delilah. Truly said the Savior, cast not your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you.

Shall I who have witnessed the visions of eternity; and beheld the glories of the mansions of bliss; and the regions and the misery of the

  1. John 7:17.