Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-09-13
ANaADDRESS.

tlaterlng request dsklng loI d copy VI my dn-
dress for publication, delivered at Sabbath
School Celebration Of your place. II was more
than my most sanguine expectations warranted
at the time. II is however cheerfuly COM Il
piled with. am your most obcdient servant
and fellow citizen, G. W. CANS.
To Henry Surface, John Worth, Oliver Till
SOD, William Nrli and others, OF Upshur, o.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Sabbath School sehol-
,.....,.,.. .ars and Teachers:
This day is one in which every christian,
philanthropist, and every patriot can rejoice.
On an occasion so important. to your inter-
est, ,,t would have given me pleasure If the
flattering honor you have conferred Upon my
self, could have fallen on some one who would
in all probability have done justice 10 the i'm
portance which This subject demands.
This DAYS celebration when rightly viewed
presents, feature in the history Of our coun
Try which no other throughout the civilized
world can boast, It is not important 10 a
correct unders' anding OF The subject connect
ed Herewith that q review OF the history Of
Sabbath Schools should be presented. SabS
bath Schools Of the United Slnles are germ
Of lis free institutions, free country free bible
free religion, free schools, free speech, Tree
labor, and free men, are ours. II is true we
have not progressed as !ar nationally on some
OF these as the gool. old fathers OF Ibis mighty
republic intended We should have done ere this.
But thanks be 10 an over-ruling Providence
they are now being mproved-agitateda and may
they continue 10 be agitated until the utmost
freedom reigns. The great principle that man
is capable osself government was asserted by
them and they left it to US as rich inherit
snce-a talent in The sight of God for our i'm
proyement. This land itself was conCecrated
10 freedom aud religious freedom by the first
act of the Pilgrim fathers, exiles from their
homes ind native land, when they touched the
borders Of this they founded a social compact
that gave birth 20 democratic liberty ard in
y,ependent christian worship" They acknowl
edged the true God and free use Of his will,
the bible, 10 all men. And by these Sentl
nnents we have been governed 10 this very mo-
ment, and they have impressed themselves so
strong upon public mind, that they are shad
owed forth in the organic laws OF the land, and
become as il were the very foundation Of our
government, and il our national existence and
greatness cen be traced TO any one cause 1t
owes it more 10 this Than any other. We to-
day possess freedom and advantages 10 an ex-
tent no nation could ever boast, either ancient
or modern, no one here born into power, no one
dandled into political prosperity no priesthood
sustained by law, no one so poor but he can re-
ceiye n education or obtain bible, equal laws
and exact Justice TO all. The impress OF these
living principles can be seen and felt; and O
comparison challen ed. What nation upon the
wide globe possess more true religion, and mo-
rali;y, more intelligence, more philanthropy
and have done more for the amelloralion OF The
human racel None. We assemble here to.
day under The broad folds of such banner
aud may il continue long 10 wave over US
,Tbis union of Sabbath schools, whose ben igr
influence upon the rising and past generations
is now being felt throughout the length ant
breadth of our country, is one OF its happ,
consequences.
They are unlike that Of any other country
Where church and Stale are united in the yer!
nature OF things there can be no such union al
this; the peculiar tenets of tie church in pow
er must and will be taught, that begeis oppo
,siiion in The others and then they oil at onct
commence matchmaking, and seeking for pow
rr and place 10 rule, and that begect feuds ant
schism and even leads 10 war and bloodshed
and, under this state OF things, there can bt
no union and when there is no union there i
no love and fel owship, and where there is NJ
love and Fellowship there is no religion
This union celebration 10 day brings then
al upon one, common platform, and make
them forget their ancient prejIdceS, whc
fhaye been engendeTed in o.ber governments
long before they were planted in this country
sor which have been occasionally tanned eveI
shere by some who thought more OF the 1eec
than they did OF the flock. The ism whic
Stbey all were want 10 teach has become les
and true religion more. With many their pc
Sculiar doctrines and church government onl
sexst in form and not in spirit. The enforcin
of some peculiar dogma has lost its potency I
charm, both in man and Church. The churc
comes nearer 10 day what Daniel Webster ha
occasion to say once-"The object of the in
struciion impaired 10 mankind by The fCunde
of ofchristianity, was touch the heart, purify III
soul and improve the lives Of individual man
That object went dhectly to the first fountai
of all political and oil social relations Of th
human race, as well os Of all true religion
feeling, the individual heart and mind {
man," | have not therefore, presume, civ
en- more Importance 10 this subject than il
nature demands. Why do we celebrate 10
day2 Is it in honor Of some conquerng Ger
eral for his many noble deeds Of valor won upo
ahundred fields OF battle, that we have bee
called here 7 is il a feast 10 President,
Philosopher or Statesman, for what he ma
shave done 10 advance the cause Of human hsI
DIHeSS IS IL u CclCUiotC pdiISuiht
marking an epoch in the history Of mans free
dom, or any great achievement for human lii
ehyi Aye, more. One Of infinite more i'm
porlance. II is not confined 10 any one goot
noble act or deed, nor to any one psrticul'
iSay, month or year, 10 mark IFS cOmmencemer
sor its aehievements-they are as universal q
man himself. I! is eElphaticaIly celebrate
A'ofall That is good, virtuous and great, an az
knowledpment OF christianity, The Bible, III
God OF our fathers, and oil the many lessor
we lave received from each in the Sa bbat
School, both as scholars, teachers and parent
And we can here to day call them into live
exercise and practice, and impress and inforC
them upoii tlle youths and each ether, so tbs
nits inhuence will never be lost, and The VI
born generations yet 10 come, will worsh
,he sans God aud perpetuate his blessings
all succeeding ones, and celebrate this gl
fious cause as we do. To recount the bles
jngs OF Sunday Schools. would almost be 10 r,
late all that is good 10 the history OF the ia
Iew generations in our country. The mou
and cast Of mind given 10 youths by sour
ssabhsth school education, 10 compre nd !
weight and bearing upon the human charac
in advanced life in ell its departments, Is mo
lhan the utmost thought OF human imaginatic
can reach. The wave made by dropping Il
pebble into the smooihe labe extends itself
The shore, and The good or bad idea inculcat'
follows for veal or ~o othrough time and pc
baps eternity. e'
sah How important 10! youth, and every faith