Verses on Various Occasions · Chapter
LXVI: Superstition explained
The speaker contrasts the superstitious practices of those who turn to charms and heathen rites out of fear of God's judgment with his own resolve to stand firmly before God in humble shame, trusting solely in Christ's name for salvation.
What happens
The speaker contrasts the superstitious practices of those who turn to charms and heathen rites out of fear of God's judgment with his own resolve to stand firmly before God in humble shame, trusting solely in Christ's name for salvation.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Doubt
Contrasts superstitious fear with steadfast faith in Christ alone, rejecting reliance on charms or heathen rites.
Sin and Redemption
The speaker acknowledges his 'fall shame' and base heart, yet trusts in Christ's name as the sole cure.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“O Lord and Christ, Thy Children of the South So shudder, when they see The two-edged sword sharp-issuing from Thy mouth, As to fall back from Thee, And cling to charms of man, or heathen rite To aid them against Thee, Thou Fount of love and light!”
Lord Christ, your southern children tremble at the sight of your judgment and retreat from you, turning instead to human charms and pagan rituals for protection against you, the source of love and light.
Describes superstitious fear driving people away from God toward false securities.
“But I before Thine awful eyes will go And firmly fix me there, In my fall shame; not bent my doom to know, Not fainting with despair; Not fearing less than they, but deeming sure, If e’en Thy Name shall fail, nought my base heart can cure.”
But I will stand before your fearsome gaze and remain there in my shame, not seeking to know my fate, not giving in to despair; I am no less afraid than they, but I am certain that if even your name cannot save me, nothing can heal my corrupt heart.
The speaker resolves to face God directly, trusting in Christ's name as the only remedy for his sin.