Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1855-01-17
vol. 55.N0. Al.


then civilized races. He came--the desired
the wonderful, the counsellor: the mighty
God, the Prince Of peace. Hole a. an heir
Of the C@sarsi or even as prophccied Cy-
rus No--ofa royal line il is true, but which
had come to be represented by an humble
carpenter and an humble obscure maiden
'ThereP in the palace Of the Impsrator or
in learned Athens or even in time -honored
Jerusalem no in the mangcr Of an. humble
caravanserai Of an humble village--becauss
| il was least among the cities Of Judah---yet
the city Of David. How her llded By
trumpet and cymbol, and royal rejoicing
no humble shepherds were the hcralds--
and only some watchful sages Of the Chalds-
an lands who had seen and studied out the
calendar Of the future, compiled by hcly
Daniel gave gifts to this more than royal
heir.
| We all know these histories--we here,
eighteen hundred and ffty-nine years after
| flor ovr blessed Lord was born four years be-
fore the common ammo domini) are uniting
with every really civilized people on this
earth, to celebrate this advent Of the lowly
Nazarene and Gods s'strange work"--tlist
strange event and apparently untenable faith
of all civilized landslide governing polity
ofall free nations,-the moral code OF al
/ lovers Of their race the hope, of all hum
Bile waiting hearts the foundation code OF
all good iaws--the JOY Of the whole earth
the key that opens tao graves dark door
the light, that shine through tho open sop.
ulchre---the radiance, that lights up the dark
pathway Of this worlds wandorers--yes, tho
very gate OF heaven. Oh il it were only
for the consolation, that II pours into the
wearcd and heavy laden spirits of the thou
sands, who have drank at the fountain--you
should in mercy and in kindness to those
who pant and languish for this water of Life
in the dry and thirsty land Of Heathendom,
put the cup to their lips But it stands on
lis own tried merits--as the great regenera-
ting, regulating and guiding agent Of this
worlds improvement--apart from its consol-
ing blessings to those who have tasted Of Ito
life giving fountain.
All if had the time, to prove this fully
--the subject is too wide--the volumes that
/ could be written in confirmation, could not
be condensed into Sunday nights report
but yet, as have right to few minutes
more of your time let me touch one or two
| illustrations Of these great truths-tboy may
serve to impress upon the minds of some
present, who have not thought upon the SUBJ
jet, the extent of the debt'which we owe to
tho Bible politically, lcgislatively and 50.
cially, and in all the domestic relations OF
life.
Do you want the best argument for re-
publican government that ever was ponned7
Read. when you 60 home. the Sth chapter OF
the LIST look Of Samuel. Do you wish to see
q wise division of administrative labor 10 Ru.
lers? Read Jetbro's advice to Moses and
the wise lessons of Solomon Does the hon.
est loyalist wish for authority to honor bis
king? Let him ponder over Davids for.
bearance toward Saul and Peters positive
command to "Honor the King The wbols
book, in its spirit. has ever been the law par
amount, in all free governments. since Its pro.
mitigation, and this spirit has been infused
into all nations it teaches obedience to ru-
lers. moderation by them over tho governed,
and that the sole object Of all governments
should be the greatest happiness to the great
est number.
Q. And as to lGws. --iaps betpeen man
and man, you would be astonished il were
to assert that | can prove to you that not only
most Of the distinctions Of our criminal code
as to murder. (Deut XIX. lo,) manslaugh-
tor, (Ex. XXI. l2-15. Numb. XXXV IT
24,) kidnapping, eek. XXI. l6.) perjury,
(Deut XIX, 49, are to be found where tho
wise founders of our common law found them
in the Bible bat that the law Of bailment
is laid down in Tx. XII. IS. XIII, Is. ths
laws relating to slauder. { Elk. XIII. }
mortgages. (Lcv. XIV, $4,000 estrays.
1 eek. XXII.) bribery, (Ex XXIli.) land
marks, (Dert XIX.) descents. Numbers
XVII. SLID weights and measures, lLov-
XIX. 35,l double damages for trespasses.
I ok. XXlI,l and many others are ably de-
fined. besides their peculiar laws relative to
lands, (Lev. ky, 9-lo.l which because Of
their obligations to keep up families and the
family inheritances differs from ours. founded
on the feudal system, yet that also has afford
ed valuable hints to legislators ANY one
who will read the life Of the Great Alfred.
1 will understand this. These. and kindred
principles, have become interviewer into our
laws, and we forget from whence we have Dc.