Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-07-21


cause which did not deserve all the ardor
of enthusiasm. There is no time now to
spare for cold and reluctant calculation.
The spirits Of evil are abroad in our land.
They are straining the last nerve; they
are rousing into action the slumbering
fires of fINFIDELITY, s. would shroud
the heavens in the blackness of despair.
1t behooves, then, all the friends of God
and man TO be active, and to stand forth
as the fearless advocates and defenders
of the truth.
We have Witnessed with grateful in
terest the progress Of Sabbath school in
struction. Every year has furnished some
fresh proofs of its substantial benefits.
Take single illustration in your city.
A recent investigation ascertaincd that
Of twelve thousand children who had
shared in the blessings of this institution,
not one had ever been arraigned for
crime. This is volume of commenda-
ton; but, sir, it is only the beginning of
good. The next age will witness some
of the fulness of its mercies, when our
children shall take our places and assume
upon them the duties ofmen and citizens.
\ hasten to the appropriate business Of
this evening. A noble impulse has been
given to this sacred cause in a neighbor-
| ing city; it has reached the friends Of
truth and awakened kindred spirit here.
The moral condition and prospects OF the
| West--the influence which it will very
soon exert in the public councils of our
country and its own distinct claims, as an
| important part Of ourselves, combined q
| weight of interest in its behalf that has
attracted general concern and distln-
guished liberality. advcrted to the
share, that will soon be taken by the val
Icy of the Mississippi, in our national
concerns. Sir, the children will after a
few more years, give the law to the mo-
ther. This infant West, is fast attaining
to giants dimensions; and its power
will be tremendous, unless controlled by
principle. Washington, who had studied
the human character under many diver
sites, came to the full conviction, that no
| principle could be safely trusted, which
did not flow from sense ofreligious OBJ
legation; and an infinitely greater than
| Washington had ages before proclaimed
the same truth. In this valley of the
West, upwards of four millions of free
men, have with astonishing rapidity pco-
pied the lairest regions Of our republic; /;
and the eventful question to be resolved
is, how we shall most happily fashion
the elements ofthcse rising communities;
whether by our bcnignant regards, they
shall aid to strengthen the cords of our
union, whether they shall cherish the
principles of private and public virtue, or
whether by our neglect, they shall be
left to exhibit the melancholy spectacle
Of universal degcncracy of manners, a
mong people, but yesterday born into
political existence. Sir, this is the true,
honest question. We cannot and we
ought not to evade it. 1t is put to us as
/ Christians and American citizens. These
sister states of the west possess capaci-
ties for good or evil, that cannot be tri-
fled with or disregarded. Rightly influ-
enced, and immense blessings will reward
our philanthropy-but should we suffer
them to grow on, with no moral culture,
floods of wickedness will by and by come
over upon us, that will sweep away the
last vestiges Of hope and freedom. |
lately heard from distinguished citizen
ofthat section of the Union, the evil and
the antidote in one short sentence. While
deploring the frequent occurrence of
street murders-sometimes by men high
in official stations, he remarked, that the
terrors Of law interposed no check, and
that his hope rested in the reformation of
public sentiment: there, said he, the mis-
chief receives its countenancc and there
we must look for its corrective. This
was the language oftruth and soberness
When the late movement in Philadel-
phia was announced, it was hailed as the
harbinger Of incalculable blessings. A
fountain was to be opened, whose health
full streams would send forth richer ben
elts to the valley ofthe Mississippi, than
all their majestic rivers. The Sunday
Schools will reform that public opinion,
that sanctions the deeds of the transgres-
sor.-They will purify the elements of
society; they will arrest the torrent of
corruption; erect the standards of sound
principles; and, by the blessing of hcav-
en-, save the country and perpetuate her
Liberties. A cause, thus exalted in its
aims, this evening addresses itself to the
philanthropy of generous people. 1t
becomes not stranger to press this suit.
1t beft the OCCASION however, to say of
it, that a nobler charity could not we'll
engage our sympathies. To raise an
empire of immortal beings to the dignity
of virtuous frecmcn; to send forth moral
influences among them, that shall est;.-
blish the basis Of political prosperity; that
shall raise protection around the sacred
| Al