The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-08-03
IN ADVANCE
5undaq Reaaing
SERVANTS Of Con in joyful lays,
Singye the Lord Jehovah's praise.
Montgomery.
The Bible and the Family.
N UNI BER 26

The Hon.Theodore Frelinghuysen,a at the
anniversary of the American Bible Socie-
ty, of which he is President, delivered the
following address, which merits specific
attention, as the Bible, we fear is too Of
ten neglected as Book for the family:
"We can never adequately estimate
the value or trace the relations Of the
family to the State, and of the Bible to
both.
'The family form the basis of the so
cial community, and effectively reaches
the larger spheres of the government and
the State. When pure, it Is the copious
fountain of all that is good and hopeful,
as 1t is, when corrupt, the fatal source
of all that is pernicious and destructive.
"Ihe recollections of childhood, the ia
theirs counsels, the first prayers of the
mother, often hallowed by the thoughts
of bereavement and the wastes Of the
grave, meet and glow together in man
hood to exact the agency coming from the
family among the most eventful on the
character and destiny of man.
The sagacious observer of men and in
fuence who deem ballads of pastoral
people of SO much moment, could with
|
way to the family; grant me to pour upon
the household, at the fire-side, at the
social table, at the homecoming Of labor
from its tolls, the light and power may
bring to shape the mind, to mould the
will and guide the thought, and, under
God, | will hold the reins of public senti-
ment, and fix the standard of character
and the law of conduct. Yes, he might
} add, with fearful truthfulness, will make
or unmake any people by such permitted
agencies.
at was of the Divine purpose to clothe
tne geriir' ortiz eenarnies of peculiar pow
d ter. He well knew how soon the seeds
G sown there would spring up to life, and
C how fruitfully the blossom would riptn to
l. the harvest. He constituted this domes-
d tic relation on the very first days of crea
d ton, while Eden still bloomed in all its
? innocence. 81 will make him help meet
e for him, and they shall be one flesh. For
e. this cause shall man leave his father
d and mother, and shall cleave unto his
r wife," They shall be one in joy, and sor
row, and sympathy--one in thought, and
- purpose and counsel. And with it the
e; Bible holds inseparable communion
l. There is no law but in Gods Word that
10 can preserve the family in healthful con-
ID dition. All history shows that there is no
other bond that can bind together its va
1t lious interests. Let that green and YER
N dant spot where childhood and youth
Id yield so freely to first impressions, and are
,ir moulded into the man and the citizen
le. let that be neglected or perverted, and no
nd regrets or reproaches can repair the mis-
ID. chief. AS well might we expect grapes
Us of thorns, as virtuous and honorable man
er hood from neglected and wicked youth
ice "Whatsoever man sowetb, that shal
er, he also reap" The whirlwind for tn,
i'm wind is as true for nations as for man, anc
ed the harvest will show the seeds that ar
EN- sown. 1t is a universal law and sway
ds. all creation. Wicked parents and law
ut; less children will grow into corrupt com
a it munties, and at last overthrow the wises
ent systems Of social civil order raised by th
IRA wisdom and skill of men. The family
he'd benignantly designed and fitted to be I'll
nurse of virtue and to be such, the Bib
nds must rule the family. The authority
the Cod and the influence of his Word an
Spirit, must fence around this sacred pla,
,ov- against hostile intruslons and corruptir
temptations. The charities Of home mu
;he- be guarded and cherished by the doctrin
and precepts OF the Bible.
Ace, There can be no stronger plea for L
les! Bible, and especially here, with our fr
der institutions, the work under heaven of o
n hands, and with laws the fruit Of our ov
IA legislation. We must have the Bible,
leen its power and glorifed course, beasi
de- light and purity and peace into eve
or cottage and neighborhood, and dwelIi
ueen place, or the tides ,feyil that threaten
edo will very soon roll over us in volumes
overwhelming desolation, And the An
cred lean Bible Society is honored by this bl,
ed instrumentalty. God in his mere
ys.- providence has raised up this institui
'tion- for these great ends; and we would
, left voutly acknowledge the goodness VII
'tion: has given to it so much favor and GRO
play. ed it with so many tokens Of His aPl
, and bation."