The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-07-17

can make a man truly great, OF Il nation truly
happy unless possessed Of . religious spirit IL
lies al iIe root Of all durable success. IL u the
only basis of an enduring social growth.
And vet there are few, very few, even Of
those who profess religion, who act out this
spirit. in their daily walk and life. In trade,
politics, and business of life, il Is measurably
forgotten OF trodden under foot ami in the
bighsx concerns Of the soul, it is too often ussd
as cloak to shield our scfishness from our
selves or hide il from the world
Were We asked, therefore, what il was, that
most created skeptieism unbelief, We should
say. unhes itatingly, the practical inhd-lity of
those who profess to he religious men. IL il
their faItrring which causes many to Stun
bic. Ii is their impiety ia doing, or not doing.
which makes the giddy throng imPioas-
We never look upon u city from the distance
and its tall spires looming up towards hea-
ven, AS if pointing the way thither, or hear the
toll Of their bells, as they fall sweetly upon the
ear inviting all 10 come to the house Of prayer,
that we do not feel an abiding faith in the safe
progress of the human family. The Bible is
there held up as the only standard. Good men
are appointed to explain its truths, and enforce
them. And il this be done, how can the hu-
man heart fill to receive. OF the human family
forget to practice ,hem'
| but enter that house Of God. and listen, day
after dav. 10 those who teach there. You hear
Of wars around YOU. lie who died 10 save gave
NJ his command lore ye one another. And do
they who fill our pulpits. or they who occupy
the p-ws around them. seek TO enforce this
seize every opportunity by which they may per-
suade men. as their master did, To love each 9TH
err A few brave preachers may do this. A
few brave congregations NAV demand of their
ministers this fidelity But, wherever war l.
popular, and the shout goes up from the multi
tude for victories won in it, the pulpit is too Of
ten silent and its religious supporters toe often
fri,hess. They dare not graPPle with the
mighty vice, because il seems so mighty. They
dare not wrestle with it, because they fear they
will be Overthrown- The war, consequently,
careers onward in triumphant success, and the
very boys upon our knees are taught TO look
upon human butchery great display Of hui
man virtue.
| Again, you know that slavery, an evil Of
dreadful magnitude, and fearful complexion, is
| fastened upon u with an iron grip, needing the
religious might and wisdom Of all TO snap il
asu nder. and rid US Of IT, In the church, if any
| L.. l. -
ence and exer,on of this combined power. But
as you wait day after day. and, listen for the
word Of counsel, strong in its spirit, or the
word of reproof, made keener by its kindness.
tens with the courage to SPEAK, or meet only a
few congregations, with the courage to hear,
this counsel or this reProof. The evil is wide
spread. II is fixed in every household. And
there it is rooted deeper. and stronger. because
the men Of God dare not open their lips; and
hence our very children, a. we teach them the
doctrine Of doing unto Others they would h.
done by. believe slavery to BE- all right
But there is truer feeling, at the bottom. in
the community. than most Of US suppose. The
religious spirit of the country has enlightened
mems consciences. They know the right. whe-
ther they pursue it OF not Imagine. then q
young man. ingenious, earnest, true, attending
every Sabbath day at one Of our churches where
nothing is said of popular sins-magine one Of
maturer age, and stronger intellect, vet alike
good. sitting thus under Gods altar and hearins
not a word uttered against the monster evils OF
the day, and ask, thou lover of religion. whar
must be their feelings, thoughts. determine
lions Go one step further, and look at thos,
who throng holy places, because they fear to
stay away, and would De, Yet know not how 10
become, religious They see the minister f,lte,
when he should speak out; they know his con.
gregation symPathize with him. because they
would not be troubled; and vet they hear il
proclaimed by both. that Gods Law is irrevoca.
bic, and must be oeeyed BY all. What mus
they think, say, do This want of fidelity tc
truth, more than any thing else, We fear, turn,
away these classes from the gospel, and maxi e,
douoters, skeptics, unbelevers, And who l. al
fault Before tie bar of Heaven, who will b.
held blameless' We Judge not. Our PRAYER j,
for the fallen. in out of the church.
Let us not be misunderstood w. do moi
wish to hear from the pupi, invective, denun,
citation, violence Of any kind. We ask from
it simply, fidelity TO truth. Does any one say
it cannot always he practisedl Then cast ava,
the Bible, For that book tells US that he who
puts his trust in God cannot fall or fail IL may
be hard to practice this fidelity; it NAV require
self-sacri6ce; but what of that, He il no
christian warrior who does not stand ready
whenever called upon, for truths sake, 10 make
it. But then it will be- rare, indeed, in a COM
munity like ours. where men are disposed to
reverence holy places, and TO hear patiently snt
consider calmly, the wori faithfully spoken in
them. that such sef-sacri6ce will he required
Honesty wears winning look. Truth. when
spoken rightly. falls upon the ear and heart. a.
a friendly voice, even if il startle and shock I,
will not do, then, for minister or congregation
when they err thus. 10 speak of danger, plead
in their defence, their loss Of influence. Thi,
cannot shield them. or save the multitude they
have led astray, even if there were threatening,
so angry as to bode their destruction.
We trust no one will suppose that We wish to
lessen ministerial nfiuence, or weaken the bind
ing force of the religious spirit upon the land
We would extend the one, and deepen the other
when faithfully exerted, or religiously acted
upon. until it should sway every heart. Fo,
this reason, we speak plainly. Suppose thai
every pulpit in our land uttered truly the WORD