Washington sentinel., 1854-05-21

power of Christianity. One design of the settle
ment, as expressed in the charters, was to plant
the Christian religion in Virginia and extend its
influence even among the Indian tribes. II is true
we ars not overburdened with confidence In the
religion of King James, for he and his descendants
deuged the south of Scotland in blood. In his reign
kiDg-craR was an art, and religion an empty form,
and his passion was kind Of M@strom, which
devoured the costly life of Sir Walter Raleigh.
But the Christian religion took root in Virginia,
and the church of England was established by law
No dsrespect is intended to thatilustrious church,
when we say that we go against all ecclesiastical
establishments. The clergy of Virginia were gov
erned from London, buthe crosier proved TOO short
for the wide Atlantic, and they became sycophan-
tic to the rich and oppressive to the poor The
ithes were more fragrant 10 them than the incense
piety. How different are the present ministers
of religion in Virginia from those who oficiated
under law. This is not the time and place 10 en-
ter into any discussion of religion for the State.
Since the days of Constantine all church establish.
ments have produced nothing but evil but lest
my motives be misconstrued, permit me TO express
my profound satisfaction that in 1913 the law
church of Scotland was shaken to its centre by
the secession of its most distinguished pastors
who had served at her affairs from the Orkneys
down TO the classic Tweed. The founders of our
Constitution most wisely drew The line of perpet-
ual separation between the church and the State.
The sphere ofa statesman must ever be different
from that of ministers who are always 10 keep
aloof from party politics. Such interference will
| always secularZe their feelings and destroy their
taste for the humble duties of their calling They
may create senators by the power ofeducaton
but they need not control the judgment they have
helped TO form. Legislation asks no aid from the
| church, and the church needs none from legsla-
ton. Christianity has power TO stand on the basis
of its own inherent qualities II deied the frowns
of the Caesars, and it could flourish without the
smiles OF Victoria. Persecution cannot quell it I;
time cannot enfeebleit; fanaticism cannot destroy
it and 10 its influence are we largely indebted
for our position among the nations OF the earth.
Geologists are excavating the earth for the over
throw of this system, but Layard has digged from
Nineveh confirmation off truth strong as proofs
from Holy Writ.
One design, Virginfans, expressed in our Con-
stitution is to awaken renewed interest in the
history Of our State. The executive committee
have published.an address unfolding our intentions,
and ably answering all unjust suspicious, and re-
peng all groundess objections TO the association
which it is my privilege this day 10 represent.
That address was signed by our president, Thomas
Ritchie, who is venerable in years; who was
born in hamlet of our State who long resided
among the interesting objects and picturesque
scenery of Richmond, and who has been the asso-
ciate of Johnson and Roane, Taylor and Madison,
Writ and Leigh Tucker and Mercer He cannot
be suspected oftreason TO Virginia after being for
half century warder ON her towers and SEN
tinel among her azure submits. jamestown is
our ulterior object. We hope for some semicen-
tural celebration at that locality and that Virginia
may soon wind her horn and call her sons into
such convention We may not all live to hear
her mandate, for the cypress may be waving and
the ivy creeping over our sepulchres; but our pos
terity will hear her voice, and hearing they will
obey. They will repair in haste TO swell the great
congregation and augment the human confluence.
Her grateful children will say: all hail mother Of
nations all hail ye abodes of our sires and haunts
of our youth all hail, ye splendid streams and
vales and cataracts, and caves, and mountains !;
all hail. ye halls of justice, ye chairs of learning,
We groves of education, ye towers of government,
ye seats of opulence, ye cottages OF peace, and
ye temples of religion.
How many thousands wind along
Through burning sands TO Meccas shrine,
Cheered by the camel drivers song,
Nor at their pilgrim tolls repine
But we will go with heartfelt thanks
To where the James is wandering on,
When verna plants have crowned its banks,
And be by fond remembrance drawn.
And children must all grateful be
To Him who led our worthy sires
Across the deep and emerald sea,
To kinde Anglo-Saxon fires
Virginia land Of generous deeds,
We love that safe electric chain,
Which back 10 thee our memory leads,
That death alone can rend in twain.
BY birth am no son Of thine,
And yet my pilgrim hat is known
Along that Blue Ridge mountain line,
Which shelters many cottage lone.
Thy flowers have decked its golden band,
And bloomed awhile around its rim;
Such flowers as felt my youthful hand,
And heard my wild pedestrian hymn.
But now my youthful hand is old,
And my brown locks are turning gray
For years on years have oer me rolled,
And borne my sandal shoon away.
But not too old to love thee still,
And at thy feet this tribute lay;
Great mother State, whose whispered will
Thy sons with cheerfulness obey.
Now yield to Him all glory due,
Who DER the deep our fathers led;
And gave TO them his mountains blue,
With tnts celestial overspread.
THE space at our disposal does not permit
us to present. in our present ISSUE the account
Of the proceedings which followed the address;
and we are most reluctantly compelled to defer
them until our next publication SENT