The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-04-15

McCree, and the Apostolic benediction.
The interesting and opposite position
which Mr.. NJ. selected as the subject of his
remarks, was, that True Religion is the on.
ty sure basis of national prosperity-giying
this term such latitude of reasoning as to
embrace the welfare Of learning, agriculture,
commerce, the mechanic arts, and whatev-
er else is essential to true glory and happi.
ness. The general tenor of his discussion
was so directed as to give two.fold confr.
nation to his proposition. This was effect.
ed by showing, in the first place, that in no
instance, where vital goodness has been
waiting, have the blessings Of liberty and
learning, and national wealth and happiness,
to any considerable extent or duration, pre-.
vailed: and secondly, that wherever Chris.
tamty has been dlffused and preserved in
It's purity, il has been the uniform and GER
tain precursor Of an intellectual and moral
elevation ofthe people, which prepared them
for the enjoyment of liberty and of the bes.
sings of civil and social life. The ilIustra.
tons which he employed were chiefly de.
rived from hstory-a source as little liable
to exhaustion in its proofs of these positions,
as IN reference TO any other for which lis
aid has ever been sought. The annals of
the world-of every nation and of every
country-teach US that the knowledge and
the fear of God are the exact measure OF
civil freedom and all its concomitant advan.
tages. Indeed, it requires but hasty
glance at the revolutions and downfall OF
empires, and the causes which have led 10
them, to discern that reverence for the
Bible, and the practice of true virtue alone,
can secure TO any people happiness and the
perpetuty Of their Institutions. 1t would
/ be a repr zach to the wisdom of the wise, not
to have learned, from the uniform lesson of
events. even if the truth had not bazed on
the page of inspiration, that "THE NATION
! AND KINGDOM THAT WILL NOT SERVE GoD
SHALL PERISH"
As he advanced towards his conclusion,
Mr.. NJ. argued the necessity of pious and
learned University to the success Of religion.
/ He also commended the wisdom and munlh.
cence of the venerable Fathers of our coun.
try, for the liberal provisions which they
early made for the education of the young,
and especially Of those intended to be her.
aids of the gospel. The institutions which
they founded, had religion for their basis,
and the promotion of religion for their OBJ.
Ject. They have generally proved, there.
fore, invaluable blessings to their country,
and will never cease to be regarded by the
vlrtuous and the wise as precious part o
that most precious inheritance which it ha:
been our felicity to receive from our ances
tors. But can this be averred in truth o
those seminarles which have been attempt
ed independently Of religion Wherever
b in these seats OF learning, her directing an,
y controlling agency has been discarded
there has been a proportonate tendency II
= disorder, INSTRUMENTATION, and prohigacy
0 which has vastly overpowered all the adsan
tages OF talent and endowment.
The address was repete with dignitiet
= and weighty sentiment, While it was suit
ed to interest all, it impaired special encour
d agement TO those who have volunteered il
a the noble enterprise of rearing College il
Western Carolina. Long may they con
,nue to feel the impulse, and 90 forward
with increasing vgor and interchangeable yea
in the execution of their designs. Of tn
Consecrating Prayer, by DR.. Robinson, II i
sufficient to say that it was offered witt
characteristic simplicity, appropriateness
and fervor. Ii awakened the devotion ant
the sympathes of the plous, and seemed Il
move them, as with one heart, to the solemI
work of sacredIy dedcating their enterprise
to Jehovah. These forms are, indeed, o
but little value; but if it is, in truth, tn,
d deep feeling of the heart and the arden
t PRAYER of the founders of this institution
that " HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall b,
written upon the foundation and the top
stones of lis buIldIngs-upon It's officers AM
c guardans-upon its fields and forests, ant
| all its possessions, and that its government
, and influence shall be unchangeably coincl
dent with this sentiment, there must then bt
ample ground to hope, not only for its pros
0 peritv, but also that it will ultimately bt
.. awarded some humble share of the honor'
of fundamentally in having spread the
D knowledge of Redeeming Love, and pro
. NOTED the salvation of our ruined world.
The following stanza concluded the Hymn
selected for the occasion and which in 1t:
application to the College Chapel, within
4 and around whose foundations the assembly
we're then convened, is appropriate and es
presslve
Long may this building be sustain'd
A temple for the God of Love-
And children's children here be train'd