Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-04-25

not be stayed. a Spectator
Mr. Editor:-I take the liberty to offer
on, for publication, the following
thoughts. suggested by certain recent To-
cal events
A great writer Dugald Stewart,
think says. THAT to deliere nothing is
as great proof of imbeeility of mind, as
to believe erery thing Faith is an ali.
selute need of man nature we need
firm belief in that superior intelligence
which reveals to us our moral obligations
our great duties to humanity. True
faith necessarily implies correspondent
action. What human being entertain
ing Just and high ideas of his great moral
responsibility would shrink from utter
ins sentiments in occerdance with those
feelings: Who would not desm Il
duty-a privilege rather-iorebuke evil
Of whatever kind, in whatever position lie
might be placed: If the pulpit be not
the place where moral questions should
be openly discussed what, We venture to
inquire, is its proper vocation? What
Is true religion. ii it be not ceasing from
sin: that evil which degfatles and cor.
rupts the human soul, Where are W
TO look for rebukes of sin if not from the
pulpit. What is religion il it do 10.
mingle with and purify our daily inter
course with Others and direct us in tha
performance of the various duties a.sigs-
ed us in the cares Of life? Let us al
hen dare to be true to our own souls
to the souls Of our common brotherhood
Let no one in these exciting times, when
qucs tons of such vital importance arc
being ayitated around us. turn back fer
subjects of discussion to the dry bones
of former years, but rather be awake to
the mementoas subjects that now dis
play themselves in the moral h orion.
Il we rever, to the history OF past ages
We shall find that there have always
been men equal to the exigencics of the
times Let us have faith TO believe tia.
there are, even now, brave and christian
spirits whose energy and high moral en-
dowments will enable them 10 become
worthy leaders in the grea. anita gonistie
struggle between good and evil let them
not be crushed by the weight of their
responsibility; but let them fnl res
ponsiyc chord in every homes: and manle
heart-willing to graphic with themin
the confict-frm in there principle OF
right-steadfas, in proclaiming truth
true 10 there duty and their God with
moral courage to declare and maintain
their convictions, in spite Of the snee.s
and cabals Of their opponents. Thspres-
ent seems to be prominently tim, io'
acton. The state society-polltics-
Of religion is eminently exciting -be'o-
kening some great crisis in the moral and
political world. At such times are not
silence and inaction both cowardly and
sinful? Let then the pulpit and press
be alike open to free discussion else,
where is the much boosted liberty which
our ancestors purchased and scaled even
with their hearts blood. Let not the sin
Of intemperance continue to be blot on
The fair page of orr national history "a
sin so degrading and demoralizing. SO
sbhorrent in the sight ola pure and holy
God, that it becomes the imperious duty
Of all true friends of humanity to cry
aloud against it. The cries and groans
Of wives and children are continually
wailing in our ears, urging even us of
The weaker sex TO make our earnest ap.
peal against the enactment of any law
tending IN the most remote degree to pur-
petuate the sin of intemperance.
lNcooSlTA.
BALTIC,