Chap. V.] CULTIVATION OF PERSONAL RELIGION.

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myself to the practical beneficial effect produced by personal re-ligion on the entire character of the man. And to this end, Ishall use the sentiments, and avail myself of the experience, ofseveral individuals distinguished in more than one walk of life, inpreference to my own.

Lord Chatham, in advising his nephew (Thomas Pitt) whileat the University of Cambridge, writes thus ; — “I come now tothe point of the advice I have to offer you, which most nearlyconcerns your welfare, and upon which every good and honorablepurpose of your life will assuredly turn. I mean the keeping upin your heart the true sentiments of religion. If you are notright towards God, you can never be so towards man ; the no-blest sentiment of the human breast is here brought to the test.”Again he says, “ ‘ Remember thy Creator in the days of thyyouth,’ is big with the deepest wisdom ; ‘ The fear of the Lordis the beginning of wisdom ; and an upright heart, that is under-standing.’ This,” continues he, “is eternally true.” “Holdfast, therefore, by this sheet-anchor of happiness, religion ; youwill often want it in the times of most danger, the storms andtempests of life. Cherish true religion as preciously, as you willfly, with abhorrence and contempt, superstition and enthusiasm.The first is the perfection and glory of human nature ; the twolast, the depravation and disgrace of it. Remember,” he con-cludes, “ the essence of religion is, a heart void of offencetowards God and man; not subtile speculative opinions, but anactive vital principle of faith.” * Another statesman says, “ Theindividuals, the communities, that are penetrated with a truly re-ligious spirit, and exercise the moral qualities which flow fromthat source only, regularly prosper. They inherit the earth.Those that pursue a different course, as regularly dwindle intonothing and disappear.” f

Again, the most accomplished and successful chemist of thepresent century says, “ I envy no quality of the mind or intellectin others ; not genius, power, wit, or fancy ; but, if I could choosewhat would be most delightful, and, I believe, most useful tome, I should prefer a firm religious belief to every other blessing ;

* Letters to his Nephew, at Cambridge, Letter IV.

t Speech of Alexander H. Everett in the Senate of Massachusetts, 1833.