Friday, June 5, 2015

CHRISTIANITY

CHRISTIANITY by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper "Christianity is a system of claiming God for it author, and the welfare of man for its object . It is a system so exalted, uniform and pure, that the loftiest intellects have acknowledged its influence, and acquiesced in the justness of its claims. Genius has bent from its erratic course to gather fire from its altars, and pathos from the agony of Gethsemane, and the sufferings of Calvary. Philosophy and science have paused amid their speculative researches and wondrous revelations to gain wisdom from her teachings and knowledge from her precepts. Poetry has culled her fairest flowers and wreathed her softest to bind her Author's 'bleeding brow.' Music has strung her sweetest lyres and breathed her noblest strains to celebrate her fame; whilst Learning has bent from her lofty heights to bow at the lowly cross. The constant friend of man, she has stood by him in the hour of his greatest need. She has cheered the prisoner in his cell, and strengthened the martyr at the stake. She has nerved the shrinking heart of woman for high and holy deeds. The worn and weary have rested their fainting heads upon her bosom , and gathered strength from her words and courage from her counsels. She has been the staff of decrepit age and the joy of manhood in its strength . She has bent over the form of lovely childhood and suffered it to have a place in the Redeemer's arms . She has stood by the bed of the dying , and unveiled the glories of eternal life, gilding the darkness of the tomb with the glory of resurrection." P.750, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by William Still (1877)