Phiander Chase

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The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.

Description

"In explanation of the name of our publication, 'The Motto'"

Date

1848

Keywords

Philander Chase, Motto, The Motto, Jehovah Jireh, Elohim, Protestant Church, theology, sermon, noblemen, heaven

Transcript

1st

In explanation of the name of our publication

The Motto

Why have we m[ad]e choice of this?

Because it gives all who read it an opportunity to call to mind the foundation principle & the real end and design of Jubilee College which is to acknowledge God and trust only in Him for a blessing.

“Jehovah” Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Eloim, who said “let us make man in our image” who did “provide” the typical lamb to be sacrificed by Abraham and the Real Lamb of God to sacrifice himself once for all on the Cross for the sins of mankind -- this “Jehovah” who saved Noah in the Arc from perishing by water “will provide” all things necessary for the Salvation of his Church when he cometh the second time to judge the world at the last day.

Jehovah Jireh. God will provide not only in this great and last extremity, when all shall look to him & none else for salvation. But He doth even now and will provide all things that be necessary to fit and prepare us for that awful scene Being about our bed & in our path and spying out all our ways -- yea holding us as he doth in the hollow of his hand he knoweth our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking & will provide all things that be necessary both for our souls & bodies; and therefore it becometh us to believe in him; to put our whole trust in him and to serve him truly all the days of our life[.] If it be said that we know all this already, for we are taught it in our catechisms. I answer do much the better for by owning this we are assaulted that we trach no new thing: our doctrine is that of the Church into whose bosom we were baptized. But it is one thing to learn Gods commandments and quite another to keep them -- It is one thing to trust in God relying on his premises and quite another to say we trust in him without promise which is presumption.

Now God hath promised that; he who continueth faithful unto the end the same shall receive [a] crown of life” -- Now suppose that we no ont remain faithful to our Maker but turn aside and make his enemies our refuge & learn & practice the ways of the World, the flesh and the devil which we reduced in our baptisms; have we any right to trust in Him & to plead his promises?

  1. As to the world suppose we consider it our home - not a journey to a better place of enjoyment not of trial as God intended it sh’d be. Suppose we consider its riches as our own and not in the nature of a trust committed to us for the benefit of others

  2. As to the Flesh: Suppose we let our passions rule and govern us; and as the rich man said “soul take thine ease eat drink and be merry for thou has many goods in store for many years. And then as to the

  3. Enemy whom we renounce in our Baptism who is described as the Father of lies; suppose that we bring ourselves to believe that the landmarks between truth & falsehood are at length by Modern developments destroyed and obliterated so that we can hold all roman--errors while we are protestants & preach and talk as protestants: and in Protestant Conventions holding our seats, giving our votes and determining questions which involve all things of moment between protestants and papists.

Suppose all this; what title do we have to the fulfilment of the Promise of eternal life?

It will be answered: “none”. And yet the truth in all its minute realities may be out of sight and not felt. And what is the reason of this? Because we need example to bring it home to us. This we shall now endeavour to offer the Reader in the following story of two Noblemen who in disguise came on board a Steamer deeply laden with Passengers of every name and sort as she was taking her departure for a distant Country.

Scarcely was she out at sea before it was apparent to al that the number of passengers must make the voyage extremely incommodius[sic]. And so it proved: Every one seemed to stand in the way of another and all were endeavouring to secure to themselves and [?] few friends about them an undue share of the privileges and comforts of the vessel: and the contentions & strifes which arose from this selfish spirit that was everywhere apparent were so frequent and violent as nearly to extinguish the hope any real comfort during the whole voyage.

Amids[sic] the universal example of Covetousness & selfish raparity there were two exceptions who by little & little won the attention of all who turned their eyes on their meek and quiet course and these were the identical noblemen in disguise mentioned above. At first they were silent not moving from their seats which were in an humble station: At length they gave way even there to those who needed them more than they. Again they resigned their [?] to the aged and infirm and themselves sought repose on their luggage.

Of the [fruits] prepared for the voyage they partook but sparingly [choosing] rather that others should be helped first. Of the rich viands served by order of the captain they sent all to such as were suffering hunger. In like manner the aged and infirm enjoyed all the wine which fell to their lot. But these were trifles when compared with the moral good which their example produced among the discordant mass of passengers. No sooner had a quarrel begun for the enjoyment of some disputed comfort but it was assuaged by the outpourings of loving kindness (like oil on perturbed waters) from the hearts & purses of these disguised persons. So that it became a matter of amazement to witness the good they did. And still further the wonder gre, who they were and by what secret principle were they governed. No satisfactory answer was afforded to solve either of these wonders till the Steamer drew nigh to its destined port: when the Captain stepped on Deck & summoning all the willing, wondering, Passengers and thus addressed them.

“Fellow passengers: We are all now very near the destined shore --- A cloud dark impervious now covers it from your eyes. That cloud will soon be removed and you will see all explained which has caused your wonder at the behaviour of the two persons who have done you so much good on this voyage[.] They were Noblemen by their birth but were attainted and banished from their country & their Sovereign’s smiles for their crimes.

In this deplorable alienation they remained till lately they heard the glad tidings of great joy that were redeemed by Kinds son at a great price -- that their attainder was taken off and that they were free to return home and once more to enjoy their forfeited honours and the smiles of their king.

They believed these glad-tidings and received the sign-manual of their gracious Sovereign -- and acted accordingly -- and when coming on board of this steamer they told their story and I have witnessed consistency in all their actions. They regarded nothing on board as worth contending for: for all in their view was soon to pass away with the waves over which the Steamer has so swiftly glided, to do good to others by giving their rations and comforts to the needy was all their joy. And now behold the great reality -- the fulfilment of their faith and the object of their hopes.

So saying the Cloud arose & the [Chariots] which bore them to their King approaching they soon were out of sight where faith was swallowed up in reality & broke in [friction]

And now gentle readers listen to the meaning of all this.

For their sins against the Sovereign Lord of all things mankind were attainted and banished from His favour. His Son make atonement for their transgressions & provides means for their restoration to their happy home. Thou who believe his word informing them of these good tidings enter his church, the Ark of his safety -- but when there they are not so foolish as to consider it their home nor its enjoyments their chief joy & only comfort, for they think of their dear country and the honours which will then be conferred on them. All else afforded them they are always ready to give to those who need them most. Their anxiety & labour is for the good of others. Avarice to hoard up the means of their voyage will be short and so it proves. All christians at their death say what these noblemen said -- all things were used in doing good and making peace, in faith and hope of the honours & enjoyment which now [awaits] us

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