Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-02-27
OUR COUNTRY's DANGERS.

In the Lutheran Obserrcr we find lengthy ex-
tracts from sermon, delivered at Holidays
burg, on the 22d of Nov, by Rev. L. Knight,
from Tim. 2, IA. ssThe text. he says, i'm
plies that the carly christians were in danger of
losing their religious liberty-that they were
In danger of not leading a quiet, peaceable
life in godliness and honesty and inquiries,
care we in danger of losing our civil and
ligions liberties &c. We may infer from the
text that there is danger, because this Scrip
ture intended as a rule of faith and action
for all christians in future time.' Lurury he
regards as one source of danger to the civil
and religious liberties of this country, being
enemy to any form of government, and has
been the overthrow of those who were proof
against the mighty armies of the earth Han
nibal, the great Carthagenan general, after fie
battle of Cannn, IN which &c, 900 Romans were
elain with whose dead bodies the son of Anil
car made a bridge, and sent three bushels of
gold rings, taken from the fingers of the slain
Roman Knights, to Carthage, had Rome in his
power; but he retired to Capua, where the
Carthagenian soldiers soon forgot to conquer
IN the pleasures of the luxurious city, and in
stead of Hannibal taking the city, the city
took him and his mighty army. Luxury was
their overthrow. 1t afterwards proved the ru-
In of Rome herself, and other ancient repub
lies. Let US not fatter ourselves that we are
inno danger from this insinuating and enchant-
ing foe. There is false, a too fastidious or
squesmsh refinement finding its way into the
churches, and even into the pulptS of the
country, and is sapping the very foundations
of christianity. st. Paul said, 2 Tim. iy, 3,4
ssThe time will como when they will not en-
dura sound doctrine, but after their own lusts
shall; heap to them teachers, having itching
ears,r& And as to extravagant indulgences
in the pleasures of the table, and the exhorbl-
tant use of costly dress and equipagej though
tho crops should fail anG the times grow pinch
ing hard though many rich become poor, and
the merchants become bankrupt; though pes
thence should walk in darkness and destruc-
tion waste at MONDAY; and though thousands
fall in the East and in the South, in the West
or in the North, one half the survivors would
import the most costly silks, cloths, brandies,
wines and gewgaws-clothe in fine linen and
fare sumptuously every day, while the other
half might go in rags and starve. Licentious-
ness and drunkenness are ever the foul COM
panions of luxury. More than ten millions oil
gallons of rum have been consumed by the in
habitants of the United States since the sign
ing of the Declaration Of Independence, cost
ing in dollars alone more than fire billions, and
has sent seren millions of drunkards into eter-
nitv; has caused pauperism, crime, imprison-
ment-the cost of trials and punishment, add
ed to that of the liquor, loss of time, &c,
would amount TO a sum sufficient to build
% 600 miles of canals, so, 900 miles of railroad,
sppport all the colleges, seminaries and church
cs Of the country, educate all the Children
keep all the poor, and send the Bible ana mis-
sionaries to every heather nation on the globe.
Isita wonder we groan under our taxesf is
,.awonder that we have such enormous ma
tional and etate dcb;sl Is it not wonder
that we yet exist7
Another source of danger to the country Is
,,olitical corruption. This is fonnd IN all ranks
n, our Office bearers; and II occasionally an
cIcentton is found, one who has the nobleness
oS .oul TO resist bribery and stem the desola-
tinp tide of political corruption and dema-
sogueism, in vindication OF rlgh'' 'ru'h anu
;nstice, he is soon forsaken By all the huIioer-
less and nameless parties of the country CON
,;dered eccentric, and laughed at for his pans.
Tho time was when ministers OF the gospe'
were expected to discourse freely from 'n'
pplpit on the political condition OF the couii-
try. Asan evidence of this we have oiiiS ~
consult the published sermons OF ancient III
vines. This was in the days OF washington
Hamilton, Jay, &c. But alas my country
men, how changed the times. No'c minister
OF the gospel, who ought to know at least a. y
much another humble citizen, dare scalrei'
express his opinion in public or private; II IL
have the presumption to exercise MS huino''