Arkansas intelligencer., 1847-12-25


w. .,ds have brought forth IN abundance ouI
u nd silver has increased. We have whole
avs: and religion, the hand maid of civi
~ ~, has. at least to some extent, taken hold o
af.ctions of our countrymen. As the hearts
Ssasr,en. sanctifed by religion, is the only sure
.;or Mace for liberty, we have reason for gra-
Ia that God has sanc,ified, to some extent
Kari. and accompanied his truth with the
-, and demonstration of the spirit. Surely
III .,v saw, there is no nation like unto our ma :
nation which the Lord our God hath bless
We may trace MS hand in showering bless
roon us from the time we became a nation,
So n-esen. time. As God formerly chose the
.., ~ Israel from all other nations to bless
sm. and TO do them good, so he appears to have
os.o Ms. He has separated, and surrounded US
n his goodness. Our hands have not gotten US
his wealth and all this glory. The Lord has
o,r God. and the God of Jacob has been our
;ad in blessing he has blessed US. and in null
I,,;nc ne has multiplied US, until we have become
,ra;se of the whole earth.
National prosperity has a tendency to beget ma
nal pride and ingratitude. No created being
% unpoyernabie man. '' The OK knoweth
owner. and the his masters crib /; but Is
/ doth not know-my people do not consider"
are stuck with the ingratiiude of the jewish
inn. IN proportion as the blessings Of provi-
nee were showered upon them in the same pro-
rton did Israel forget the Lord her God, and
I've idol gods. We are inclined 10 think that no
han people could have been so ungratefuI. Yet,
Ob,b,v. no others would have acted differently
The same circumstances. Prosperity brings
de- There is no time when we feel so humble
il afHiction it is then we feel most our de-
pdeuce. Continual prosperity has the opposite
pdeucy of what it should. 1t should hum
us IN view of our sinfuIness. and fill our
arts with gratitude and affection for God. The
ory of nations is nothing more than a history
their rebellion and ingratitude to God. God
he author of national prosperity; yet in pro-
ktion to their prosperity they have forsaken the
nd that saved them. Is this not true, to some
en of our nation +! In the :me of the revo
lon, Goo was recognised in our national councils
! our legislative assemblies s-the Bible was re-
cled 1t is subject worthy of note, and
Tvs the spiri: of the times, that the first Bible
bIished in this country was published by order
congress, or the national assembly, and bears on
hide page" published by order Of Congress-"
Ter the assembling of the frs. Congress in Phia-
.pha, it was found that there was bat one soil |
IN copy of the Bible for sale in the city, and |
egress was unwilling to assume the responsible |
3 of carrying on the war without affording to
people the privilege Of consulting the word of |
and recognising their dependence upon his |
|krruling providence, for success and support
.Iey ordered, therefore, the publication OF His |
Bird. at the public expense. Then the leader of /
II armies, and our President, WAS not asham-
|lo be called man of prayer. God was hon
Il and recognised by US as a nation. Does it |
'hre an Observing mind to perceive that, in this
Xnnet .hanr h1S
and our silver ire increased. and our fiocks
our herds are multiplied then our hearts have
10 lifted up against the Lord our God. And |
not God be giving US wafning by the scourge
War. ihaf u,n h-- --~I---l,
nbings Of civil discord, pointing to dark
nd which invrons our horizon now, be
voice of God assuring US that it is " righteous
IS done that exalieth nation, but sin is q re-
ach to any people," If we forget all his bene- |
and, like Belshazzer, do not honor the LORD |
has lifted us up, then he may withdraw from
the arm of his protection, and leave US n prey |
fivil dscord. ami, to see, like infidel France,
olaiion and death wave in triumph their blood |
Ened banner. over
'This land of the free
And the home of the brave"
FRIl. National blessings should produce ma ,ional
fnksgiving, and national gratitude. Are we
founiabe as Individuals, and bound to render
lnks, and not as communities and nations. The
BAT design of God, in the creation and preserva-
p of man, was that he might promote his gIo
Ihlsls the great duty of man in all the re-
Eo1S he sustains. As nations, as families and
indIVIduals, men are bound 10 cooperate in
pRo!lng this end, and if they do not do so they
criminal IN proportion to the influence they
3ye and the Importance Of the relations they
ftaln. The component parts of any important
ation are In the highest degree criminal if they
rvert 1t from lis original design If God is the
Pthor OF national exis,ance and blessings, then,
fftlons should render thanksgiving; there should
only be thanksgiving but it should flow from
ping Of gratitude. If, as nation, e0e have been
essed, II imposes on US obligation, not only in
7Hnksglvng to recognise the hand of God, but
national acts 10 promote his glory. There
ouId not be 4 union OF Church and State, for
= would be disastrous to both. This unnatural
nance would wither up the last vestige of liber-
IN either. When it is consumated it will not
Il Oy church with active piety; but by
Prrupt, and sinking administration to sustain its
pSers and only received by a corrupt and formal
nuIch. But because there should not be union
Church and State. this bv no means proves
lat The State should be reckless of the interests
religion; or by precept or example oppose the
FlncPIes Of revealed truth. The civil power is
aoIshed to protect US in our rights and no
sns are so dear as those of religio And is
- civil power which is ordained of God, only 10
'Oec. US IN the exercise of those rights which
vi 'ne least Importance, while those which are
oie essential are left unprotected, or probably
aueu oy me power which should protect them