The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-03-18


this eloquent discourse, delivered in Cincinnati
Mr.. MACON Is now q minister Of the Ninth
Street Baptist Church, and formerly presched in
Richmond, Va. lie is a man Of genial nature,
and large philanthropy, and labors for society,"
not alone in his pulpit or congregation, but
wherever there is hope Of doing good.
The leading topics Of the discourse have been
discussed by him before. lie delivered an ad-
dress before the Legislature of North Carolina,
which contained them, and which was publish |
ed by that body, and widely circulated. He
says in the preparatory note to the discourse:
"Whatever notifications may be found in |
the present publication, it is believed that there
is nothing herein contained which the author |
has not distinctly enforced while preaching in
the South. Though his sphere Of toll has by |
Providence been changed, hissentiments remain
unaltered with respect to the evils OF ignorance
and the criminality Of human vassalsge. lie
does not bear different faces i'm different sections,
but would labor in every place for the common
good, and fervently prays that upon all classes
may rest grace, mercy, and peace"
Modestly spoken, yet does this paragraph
contain the record of noble conduct! oh,
that "goOd men" every where, were alike con-
sistent aud true.
"For David, after he had served his own gen
GRAFTON, by the will Of God. fell asleep"
These beautiful words, Mr.. MACON chose for
his text. And he applied them forcibly. slo-
quently.
First, that all men should recognize this life
as a state Of active service.
| No low or selfish thoughts should sway U.s.
We must feel the tie linking US to our brother
man, to all men, and, while serving them, real
ze that the relation is a divine one. IL imPer-
feet in life, be perfect in purpose. II wedo this.
rightly, our spirit will be like the spirit Of the
servant Of the Most High. David found favor
before God, and desired TO find tabernacle for
the God Of Jacob"
Second, that like David, we should ssrUe cur
generation.
This means that We must 60 out Of our
selyes-rise above narrow and contemplate sec
tional prejudices--and take generous and COM
prehensivs views.
Is il asked hOp'
We must undersfand the age. We must i'm
bibe its spirit before We can ennOble il. The
| may 70 obt ~ hh5t 5H ccP Ofci
the sea, before the pillows shall roll. ocean be
purified by motion.
We must feel the claims Of the age. Cold
theorzing, and frigid dogmatiling will not an
swer. Men of sympathy the men Of pow
or. Men Of, and among. the people are the men
whe have the truest sagacity, and whose hearts
throb with quiekening answer to every noble
beat OF the popular pulse They have ACTION,
the great characteristic Of our age. They not
only acquire wisdom. but they embody il in
deed. They look TO the past, and gather is
best treasure; TO the present, and imbibe lis no
lest power. and eumulating and COMPRISING
both, labor bravely, heartily. for the future
A generous and comprehensive self suIfurs is
one way TO attain this power.
How shall We best and quickest influence So
ciety. 1--WE thrill most when our own soul j,
! best toned" We must educate all our powers
gather from every source what will devslope
strengthen, elevate them. The giant can NOV,
no farther than he takes hold. We must be abb
TO grasp-to reach out and coil within our in
: fuence, the sons Of men, by making soul an
a swer TO soul. by rousing the power within 9th
] ers, through the moral and intellectual Pow-
within US. Are high Alps in our path A Ma
4 poleon-like energy will overlesp them. Is
: new aud mighty civilized continent afar of
! The faith of a COlumbus will discern it. Is i'm
mensity thick-strown with myriad worlds
The bodness Of Bowditch. or a Newton viii
see and know them.
Exclaims the Reverend Speaker:
"Why even here in this doomed earth, wher
storms howl. and disease destroys, the empire,
hatrise and the institutions that rule, are onl,
heightened shadows Of individual minds walk
ing before the sun OF immortal glory. Ii is III,
same now il ever has been the thick rank
Of the great army OF mankind are marchin.
4 with lock-step over the field Of time TO grea
. conflicts and eternal rewards. They march I,
the music Of thought regular or distracting, anC
! he who plays loudest and best will bs followe,
, by the strongest host.
"a thought put into action is infinitely NOR,
,. effective than exploding cannon. The tones o
true eloquence will drown all their uproar
counteract the force Of their destruction, an,
render the mghtiest depots utterly impotent be
fore the splendors Of inspiring truth. Tn,
4 crash Of iron hail, and the growlings Of 9Th
dogs of war" are intermittent, but the saIvos o
9 mental artillery are perpetual"
!. Another way to attain this power is by spiri
1 tuai progress.
!, The soul must make al things its own.
T can, properly nurtured, find solace and foo
$ every where. Is the diamond beautiful "Min.
T will set it on fire, and, from its flame, educ
truth more sparkling and profitable than tn
perishing gem" Is light Transparent "Min'
lays hold Of a ray, and, with scalpel. NOR,
ETHEREAL than the subject 1t dissects ex
plains those causes which tint the rose, sns
form the rainbow, and adorn the heavens
; There is scarce a limit TO the power Of IN,
! mind.
True, mailman may fire the temple and de
stroy il. But We have the power TO control the
frantic spirit which whelms all in ruin: the
, power for evil, at any rate, only demonstrate.
the power for good which is in us-which is in
! all. This is apparent. One word, embodyine
a nations spirit may save nations liberty
One speech, glowing with the best spirit of the
age, may kindlo u fire which oceans cannot
quench.
JOHN ADAMS, when boy, was startled by q
patriotic speech. IL gave tone to the energy
which made him our Colossus in the revolution
airy Congress. James Otis spoke against writ.
OF assistance. He breathed into the colonies the
breath Of life.
All history-the examples of all great men
IL