The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-07-21
lDD R d s s.

Geatlemen Hangers Of the House Of Refuge
LADIES, GENTLEMEN: The invitation, so
kindly extended to me, TO participate in the
ceremonies Of this occasion, | have accepted
with difidence Surrounded by the cares, re-
sponsibiities, and Iabors incident to official sta
lion. have had bat little time to devote TO the
important and pleasing task which your partl-
atty has assigned me. To these circumstances
/ mus; appeal to plead my apology with you
tor feeble and imperfect performance Of the
obligation have assumed. Ind ed, the geDer-
al design, the organic features, and the varied
details OF this Institution, together with its prac-
tcal workings, are suggestive of such vast con-
sderatiouS, and the topics presented for discus
SION are 50 prolific of useful thought, that the
work, thoagh ''a labor Of love- might deter one
from attempting its performance, however atm
pie his time and opportunities.
The discovery OF the sources and causes of
crime, and every species of immortality that de-
grades the social aud moral condition of our
race; the arrangement and adaptation of preven
tive and remedial agencies 10 mitigate these
evils: the nature and degree of punishment that
should be inflicted upon offenders against the
peace and order of society and the rights of. in
divdualS, are problems which have, within the
last half century, ia greater extent perhaps
than in any former age, occupied the attention
and commanded the best efforts of the statesmen
and philanthropist. That much good has result
ted from these humane and benevolent efforts,
must be obvious bat that there is still mighty
work to be done, if not growing task, is equal
ly true.
Complain, however, as we NAV, Of human
depravity, and the vitialed state of society in
many OF its phases, the gratifying truth is never
thrlrSs apparent, that the condition of man is
undergoing silent, though mighty and happy
change The greatest agrncy in this work is
Christianity. lis benign influence, diffusing
itself into all the pursuits of life, aided hy the
wonderful inventions OF mind, which have SO
materially contributed 10 social and commercial
intercourse, is doing for man what ages of Pag-
anism failed to accomplish. The contrast pre-
srnted by society developed under the auspices
Of Christianity, and that created by the best
forms Of heaheuism, will we'll sustain the truth
of this assumption, as well manifest the divini-
ty and power of that pure religion taught by our
Saviour In the most brilliant periods of Gre
clan and Roman rule, civilization never ap-
preached the standard of that we now enjoy:
and our special gratitude is due to Him who
rules the destiny of nations, for the inestimabe
dressings thus conferred upon his creatures.
Where, indeed, in all the dark ages of Pagan
aSm, can be found the record Of scene like
this A nation or city devoted TO the reforma-
tion and moral welfare of man To the mti-
cation of human suffering To the elevation Of
man from the degradation of vice, of crime, and
iniamy, to the dignity OF virtue and usefulness
Temples and triumphal arches were, it is true,
reared and dedicated to the victor in battle, but
seldom If ever were institutions established for
the alienation Of human distress. If ever suf-
tering humanity received tribute from Pagan
ism, il was in the form of popular enthusiasm
over the agonies ofthe dying gladiator, and not
in the effort to supply remedies for the moral
evils which bespt our race.
Unlike this dark spirit, Christianity comes as
harbinger of peace and virtue, to llberate and
humanze, not to ensave and degrade It's di-
vine mission is to elevate and improve the con-
dltion ofman upon earth, and to point his way,
TO a happy future. If at times its march has
been slow, or mpeded by ignorance and intoler-
ance, its ultimate triumph is not the JOSS certain
and enduring. Its mighty impress is visible up
on all our social and civil institutions. 1t is
manifested in the beautiful and costly temples
Of worship that adorn your city; in your schools
and colleges; in your asylums for the relief of
the widow and orphan; in your institutions for
the deaf and dumb, the inbecIe and idiotc.-
We feel and see it in the stiffness and repose Of
the weekly Sabbath; we hear it in the sound Of
the church-going bell, and we witness it here
to-day, in the magnificent effort you have made
TO carry into practical operation its principles
OF pure benevoleDce. Free as the air we breathe
and separated from all alliance with the state,
lis spirit pervades society, and sheds ITS healing
infirnce through all our institutions, and thus
metes out improved degrees of civilization.
in the great work of preventing crime: of
dlSpelling ignorance; of intoxicating correct NOR
al principles; of elevatlng the social and moral
condition of man; of eradcating from society
those diseases that deprave our race, and so fatal
iy attack the young and unwary: many may
become discouraged, because their efforts are
not crowned with immediate and entire success.
This should not be. The hope that centres
itself on the entire eXtirpation of evil has not
been wisely fixed. The expectation is neither
natural nor philosophic Perfection in human
society, prior to the millennium, has not been
promised. Besides, it should not be forgotten
that in the proclivity to error which marks the
human career, there is an agency whose origin
Is not in earthly institutions. The sad inher-
;ance Of our apostqcy furnishes the powerful
tendency in our nature to evil. 1t is peculiar
to no age, or nation, or class; nor is il the eX-