Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-01-26
ADDR ESS,

Of the year has been one Of general fes
iivily and rejoicing, The young, the
old, the rich, the poor, the gay and the
serious, alike yield to The influence OF
time honored custom, and Christmas,
both in prospect and recollection, is a
time redeemed from care, bright spot
in the dark and lroubIous pathway OF
human life. There is nothing wrong
in this: indeed il the seasons were more
numerous in which the harsher employ
ments Of our busy lite would be laid
inside; in which men might mingIe their
Joys 10 kindly sympathy; in which the
social feelings, so liable 10 be frozen
by the selfish aims and pursuits of bu-
sness, might be permitted 10 flow once
more in their wonted channel. human
nature would be The gamer. Every
scene OF innocent enjoyment is smiled
upon by the kind Father of US all. We
care not whether the 25lh of Decent r
be the anniversary oil our SaVour's ad
vent or not; indeed the argument seems
conclusive against this particular day
but since no dsv can be fixed upon with
absolute certainty since a large portion
of the Christian Church for centuries
have celebrated, and do still celebrate a
particular day; and since our earliest
and most delightful associations are con.
nected with that DAY, we soc no impro.
priely in sitting 1t apart as a time in
which to remember the grandesl fact in
the history of our world: but let not
the occasion be prostluted 10 purposes
OF uuhaIlowed mlrIh, and mere sensual
indulgence.
But the day on which we are assem-
bled is calculated to excite solemn re-
Election rather than feelings oI joy, 1t
is the last Sabbath as we'll as the last
day Of lS43. 1t is we'll that such occa .
sons return upon US from year TO year
10 break in upon the smooth current
down which we are so swiftly, and YET
80 uncousciously gliding; to awake US to
a consciousness Of our destiny as cnil
dreu Of Time; to afford us an opporIun.
~ for a solemn review oil the Past, and
10 excite US to lhs formation OF proper
principles OF action for the Future. Az
wear after year runs It's round, and is
lost irreVocably; as our minds Ilnger
upon It's past scenes Of enjoyment, OF oI
sorrow, Of privilege, or OF prlvation; ouT
thoughts may we'll be carried forward
10 another time, when life itself will be
about 10 close, and when with more aw-
fol soemnily we shall be engaged iu 8
review OF the Past, and Of our actions
therein, because intimately connected
with the dread and unknown Future in
10 which we are about 10 pass. Let Us
then employ such occasions as the pre-
sent in reflections which will fit US loI
that more solemn time; and let US join
with sincerity IN the prayer oil the man
of God-"So teach us TO number our
days that we may Apply our hearts unto
wisdom"
We might employ this occasion en-
trely in reflections OF a particular and
personal nature, or in attempting 10 eX
hbit the brevlty aud importance oil time
But these subjects have ulTeady been
presented TO your consideration. Be-
sides, the occasion itself, the day, and
the sacred place IN which we ale as
sombled, are more eloquent in suggest
ing reflections like these Than any hu'
man voice: and there is 90 mind ir
which circumstances like ours this day
will not call up such thoughts unbdden
Your attention is requested Tor shor
time to a subject OF u moro general kind
but Que, it is hoped, not altogether un-
appropriate TO the occusion. The Irutf
which we design briefly 10 illustrate
NAV be thus expressed In all the eveat'
of Time there mdy be trGced the WorktagI
Gfa Superior Pouer Or as more brief.
" expressed by the eloquent D'Aublgne
COP IS IN illsToRY.
Although speculative Atheism is nov
rarely to be found, there is a pTeIeDdtC
Theism which, in its practical opera,
linn. is not essentially different The
Student of Physical Science, though he
NAV require the intervention OF a BENG
who existed from eternity, and created
the universe, too often excludes Goo
from lhe world which he has made
while in the L0lOS oi inorganic aud or
Vsnic lie, aud 10 the mai hematica prln
c,ples in obedience 10 which the forces
Of the unlvarse act, be recognises the
,Aicisn, causes nj al, ,he operations o
the material world. Thus Ihe AImlgh.
~ hand that guides planets 10 'heI'
COURSES is unseen, and abstract laws
and mathematical principles are eleVa'-
ed 10 The throne OF the universe.
So also in The world OF mind; and III
History which is bot record OF the
minds operation and progress. Pbllo
fophers SEQ no need oil Divinity here
Man is made the god Of BIsIoty, and al
- Nsn,s ol time Sfe opened 10 bic va