The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-04-27

They declared that there was.no God, that
the Bible was all an imposition, and that
death was nothing but an eternal sleep
They closed their houses Of worship and
appointed persons TO instruct their children
in the mysteries ofaiheism. What was the
RESULT The nation presented one scene Of
civil war, bloodshed and anarchy. Men
acted more like incarnaie demons, than as
human beings. In the short period Of ten
years, no less than three millions Of lives
were destroyed. We may not become
avowedly atheists, but let practical atheism
prevail, and our doom is sealed. Let the
government Of this nation be administered
wiihou, recognition OF the grea, Ruler OF
the universe, as the lawgiver and God oil
nations, as well as individuals; without, &C.
knowledging those eternal principles Of
RICH: and justice which he has revealed 10
Us, ard our DOWNFALL is certain, though il
may not be in precisely the same manner
with ,ha, OF France a, the time Of the Rev.
oluiion. Gods judgments may seem 10
slumber for time, but they are sure TO
oyeriake those nations that reject Him.
Our duty is plain in regard 10 removal
and prevention Of This evil. We should
initiate The example OF the fathers Of New
England, who recognized the hand Of God
in all their affairs, and looked 10 Him for
guidance. We should follow the example
Of the sisuers Of the Declaration Of indie
pendence in connection with the trainers. oil
the Constitution, who appealed 10 God in
aiiestaiion Of the righteousness Of their
cause, and invoked his wisdom 10 direc,
them. The immortal Washington, The Fa-
Their OF his country,was man Of prayer and
deep pie,y. He ascribed his success and
that Of those associated with him in the
Struggle for liberty, 10 the hand Of God ,
and he felt, and urged the necessity Of
looking TO and obeying God, in order 10 re-
main happy and prosperous. Says he in his
inaugural speech: "It will be peculiarly
improper 10 omit in this frs, official act, my
terven, supplication 10 tha, almighty Being
who rules over the universe who presides
in the councils Of nations, aud whose provi-
Dental care, can supply every human de-
feet; ,ha, his benediction may consecrate 10
the Liberties and happ:ness,of the people Of
the United States, government, instituted
by themselves for these essential purposes (;
and may enable every instrument employ
ed in its administration, 10 execute with
success, the functions allotted 10 his charge.
In rendering this homage TO the grea,
Author of every public and private good, |
assure myself that il expresses your sen,i
mems not less than my own; nor those
Of my fellow citizens at large less than
ether. No people can be bound 10 &C.
knowledge and adore the Invisible hand
which conducts he affairs oil men, more
than The people Of the United States
Every step by which they have advanced
10 the character OF an Independent, nation,
seems 10 have been distinguished by some
token Of provideniial agency" Such were
the words OF Washington aher he struggle
of,he Revolution was pas,, and he was
jus, entering on the discharge Of his duties
as the chief magistrate OF the nation
Would we then retain this noble heritage,
which has come down TO US from our fathers
would we continue 10 prosper, let US &c
knowledge God, and carry out the priuci
pies OF Christianity in politics, as well as in
every other course Of action; and let US
rever forge, ,ha, men have no more right
10 siu in politics than in ANYTHING else
Righteousness will exal, us, but sin will be
onr ruin, as well as reproach, il persevereC
in.
Another grca, evil which exists in oul
country and ,hrea,enes our destruction, i,
slavery. This system Of wrong eSisieC
when we firs, became an independent ma
ton, aad ha- continued TO gain streagtt
ever since. until j, holds ia is grasp oveI
5000, 900 OF human beings, hat are regard
ed as chalsl property. Had The principal
Revolutionary fathers known that slavery
would be perpelua,ed aud decreased, as il
has beeu. believe iha, their eior, in ,hs
Struggle for liberty, would have been palset
in .rea, measure. Lafayette who came
10 our rescue in tina, fearful struggle, SAID
sometime afterwards, that he never would
have drawn his sword in cause of American
freedom, had he known that slavery was
going 10 be perpeiuaied. II was expected,
evidently by mos, of the leading men al
that time, tina, slavery would gradually melt
away before the Using sun Of Christianity
aud freedom. But this has 10, been the
result. Slavery has grown with our growth
and strengthened with our strength, until ii
has assumed an alarming aspect. God is
no; insensible 10 the wrongs inflicted on the
colored man, they come up before him call.
ing for vengeance. This giant evil, I be-
lievc will bring upon us fearful visitation
ofjudgemen, aud destruction, unless there
is something done TO check il. Many
years ayo Thomas Jefferson said in regard
10 ii, 4" uemblc for my country when |
reflect tina, God is just" This system is
antagonisiic 10 the principles aud spill, Of
nhnriy- Those who cling 10 such a system.