Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-08-10

1870 eue cestSWco ~ many dressings,
both civil and religious. upon the 6u-
man family. and then left its manage.
ment to chance. or TO the uurestrained
Will OF short-sighted and ening man.
We believe that God still presides rs
the supreme ruler Of the universe, and
that through human fundamentally.
he prospers the people that acknow.
ledge his providence, and Furnishes
those who have no fear Of God before
their eyes.
a worldly and vain philosophy is
ever disposed TO resolve all events into
second causes. and to ,pu,e them en-.
tlrely 20 certain men AID measures; as
II God had Withdrawn from the uni.
verse and left the world tn the laws es-
tabliShed al its creation. or To the un-
controlled devices OF his creatures.
Far be II from us To condemn a true
philosophy, serious investigation ui
GODS works. aud a sober inquiry into
the ordinary rules by which he governs
the world: for this ould en- able US to
adoP, intelligent views Of his Operations.
and would impress US with an admiring
sense OF his wisdom. power, justice and
goodness.
At the present cri,is in the history
OF our country, We may with propriety
enquire into the cause Of the calami.
ties and distress which afiiict so large a
portion OF our citizens. For one. | am
willing 10 recognise the hand Of that
God who has almost invariably punish
ed national sins with national chasiise-
men,s. We. as a people, have trans.
crossed his laws. and therefore Justly
merit his di>pleasure. Whether our
present diStresses be- the natural conse =.
quences Of his pro>ideniial dispense
ton. or whether the misconduct OF men
have been. and is in any degree the
causes OF them, we should acknow-
ledge that il is the Lord who smile,h
Us. | am not competent TO determine
as to the business Of the suspicious and
censureS INDUCED IN reference TO the
evils which. as people. we are suffer
ms; nor is this the place 10 express an
opinion on the subject, but as a minis
ter OF religion. | must say that. hll pro-
per means Of discovering and removing
these evils, be used and prosPercd. the
right, Gus Lord continues TO smi,c us,
whether men be his instruments or not
II We amend our Ha:s. the Lord will
be gracious to this land, and plen,eous-
ness aud prosperity may again be be-
slowed upon us.
Since so many blessings have been
.lavished upon us, notwithstanding our
Ingratitude, IT Becomes our privilege
and duty to devise means for perpeiu-
aiing 10 the latest generations. those
free and happy institutions which have
been secured TO US by the fathers of
our country. And we rejoice TO say
That year after year has developed some
new and efficient mode OF preserving
and transmitting 10 fut"re ages. the Pc
culIar and distinguishing blessings Of
our happy country.
As christian assembly, we are all
perhaps prepared TO acknowledge. that
1t Is through The influence Of the chris
iian religion, that this important object
is to be accomplishment that every
institution, directly or remotely design
ed 10 disseminate divine truth, is pre-
eminently calculated TO pes petuate the
civil and religious advantages Of any
people.
Among the many institutions Of
christian enterprise aud benevo!ence
which are designed to promote this de.
sIrable object. we behold the American
Bible Society. like the angel of the
Apocalypse, with one foot upon The
sea and the other upon the land, ex-
tending its arms as though IL would
encircle the whole human race, and
offering light. and life. and happiness
90 all the nations of the earth. Next
To this. and a, IT, handmaih. our aiten.
ton IS directed TO the Tract Society.
which. like the majestic oak, has taken
deep root and extended It's branches
far and wide. While the wiads Of hea.
ven are scattering its leaves over sea
and land. Then We behold the Mis-.
sIOnary Society. resembling the angel
which vas seen diving through heaven.
having the everlasting gospel to preach.
sending out the living minister. to com.
nunIcaie the glad tidIngs of salvation
and 10 explain those glorious truths
which are designed 10 1T us Tor happl-
ness and tor heaven. Bot 10 what
shall compare the interesting and i'm.
portant institution which has assembled
us on the present occasion When |
look around upon this assembly and
cOnie npl5ie the objects of This instiiu.
ton. | am slrikingly reminded Of a
nursery ~ an appropriate smile. 90
Here young and tender scions are m
iflibing Tor conspicuous and sseiul
stations IN the field Of benetoleni. and
moral. and ci,J aud religion. effort
Here - the EFsin Of mustard seed
which y to become q great tree. Here.
~ q word. may Re seen IN embryo.
The statesmen Who are 10 weld The
destinies % our country ministers
Of religion. whose agency may be seen
IN the moral renovaiiOn Of The world
and The men snd women who ere 10
supply our places ~ lhs various AyOca.
L. - -.