American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-04-15

brighter day. These commotlons and rap {
id changes, and drefu conflicts are the
earthquakes and famines, and pestilence,
which are the signs OF the coming Of the
Son OF Man. There is new and more
powerful influx Of the divine love and wis.
dom into the hearts OF men. Every good
man and woman, every infant and child
that passes into the spiritual world from
this, strengthens the Heavens and becomes
a channel and instrument of communcat-
ing the divine life to men. This heavenly
influx comes mediately, and is modified
and characterised by the means Of its
Transmission from first course-thus new
heaven and new earth are given by the
Lord in ore promise. The latter cannot
be but the means OF the former. according
to the divine order Of proceeding from AL
pha 10 Omega, from first principles TO ul
timates. The pure. intense and glowing OF
the Divine would consume, we're it not
vailed and modified by created forms and
instrumentalilies until adapted TO mans
state. This, said Mr.. Giles, is the power
th,t has quickened every human activity,
and wrought such wonderful changes in
human society. 1t is the divine life flow
ing down into the plane Of natural life,
which has stimulated discoveries and in
venlions, and increased facilities for over
coming dead forms and forces of nature,
rendering all subservient to the lowest and
the highest purposes Of humanity. The
morning cometh, and truth compels me TO
add, and also the night. .
7, dooe oof .aou;ra nraof conanifv a
discover that these commotions and sudden
changes. ect. are not sign Of health. Of
well established principles and settle or
der Of things, though they may indicate
that humanity is throwing off its diseases,
and that new and healing power is be-
ginning to throb in its veins: When we
# see rapid transitions in individuals we in
q . variably conclude that there is some want.
IL so re unsoundness, some weakness in them
We put tut little confidence in the prin-
. pies and substantial goodness of any man
= who is one day elated by exuavagant hop
;, ea, and the next plunged into despair; who
;, from torpid Indifference to religion or any
u other subject, can be suddenly excited to
= ardent activity. They are not reliable
They are not anchored to any principle
u Judged by these truths, then, which are
universally applicable, and in accordance
with the experience Of individuals and ol
~ nations, the present interest and commo.
u ton in the churches is not sign Of sound
. spiritual health, Of well confirmed princi
II pies, but rather of disease and decay.
y, 1t has been generally conceded tha
10 deadness has prevailed in the church. ia
"a spiritual things, while selfish and worldly
loves and material interests have absorbed
= her attention. But small advatce ha'
Il been made in numbers. and she has los
:. much in character. What causes hav'
n, raised her up from The depths of spiritual
al winter, and Infused such new life into al
= her activities? Some attribute it TO SLAYER
=, discussion, and the prevalence OF more co
" rect views of this subject A distinguish
;, ed Minister declared that the last Pres
dental campaign was not only revivi
of but Reformation. Others suppose it
. be a reaction from the late financial emba
~ rassments-the Church and the world be
or ing hurried away and enslaved into tn
an service of Mammon. Go. Others. and b
40 far the larger part. and | doubt notthe be-
Io ter portion of the Christian community
"a attribute it to the direct influence and ou
IN pouring of the Holy spirit There seen
IN, to be no human instrumentality
spontaneous can conceive that the la
" financial storm and business trouble
"a, which arrested the struggle for wealt
"a. may have diverted the minds OF many
IF consideration of their spiritual interest
n. and OF other incidental couses whiC
nd might have aided in originating the NOV
ire ment.
Its There was general feeling in Il
I'd. church that something more must be dol
"a more than sectarian strength could accou
Ia. pish. Thus we find in Christian Unio
in disposition to sink sectarian difference
ac. and urite on common ground When Il
n movement was fairly initiated, it is n
,s;. difficult to see that there are abundant nj
,.n ural agencies to account for its rapid diff
~ sion. The whole country is in intim'
nm contact by telegraph lines, railroads a
"a a the daily press. The cities are nerve
3D. centers, and send out their coneentrat
hon life and thought 10 the whole body Of
ON ON country. A Union Prayer Meeting
rit. new IOTk SuSBesls ohe III uhouo'P"
ond and these similar ones in other places.
ling Novelty. curiosity, sincere and holy {
ria sires, enthusiasm to be in the fashion,
,ans would seem to be sufficient cause
and their general prevalence. So, instead
,rad there being no human instrumentalities.
ha. would seem the ost varied and efhci
row. have been in operation.
p, we II is we'll known to the New Chur
yiug said Mr.. Giles, that angels and spirits
ack- attendant on every one, and that they P
ands duce sphere about him. In great cro'
word which are ezcited by any natural fseli
brit. this sphere becomes SO strong that il
few difficult to resist it. The mind is hurr
" of along tie current like vessel in sire
,fpid II is more contagious than disease; il r
} the es men above their common level, and
cites them to say aud do things which
ns in not accord with their settled principles
uuu~ we add TO this powerful appsals to ii
bows whose fears aud natural affections are
are an excited state. and passionate pray
fe.- the subduing influence Of singing Of ia
;, or assemblages. &c., we have cause sufic
the 10 account for all the facts, and all the