American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-05-21
Eloquent Appear of n Baltimore
Clergyman ina favor of thc
Riblc

Bible.
Among number of speakers pre-
sent at the semicentennial anniversary
ofthe Pennsylvania Bible Society, cele-
brated at Philadelphia, on Wednesday,
was the Rev. DR.. Fuller, of Baltimore.
lie commenced his address with
feeling allusion to the absence of one
who had been wont to preside on oc,
casion like this-Rev. Philip t. May
cr, D. d., lately deceased. He then
spoke of their duty to the Bible, and
said that here in Philadelphia, where
the first Sunday school was formed and
the first Union Bible Society establish,
cd, they should all be ready to build
al altar on which the different sects
could bury their enmity and bitterness;
an altar over which their children
could found an everlasting opposition
alike to infidoity and Jesuitism, which
would prevent tho dissemination of the
Word of God an altar around which
they could all pledge "their lives, their
sacred honor, and their fortunes" to
sustain the Bible cause. He esteemed
1t peculiar honor to be allowed to
speak in behalf of the Pennsylvania
Bible Society on this occasion. He
had heard it said that the world was
growing worse; yet, he had lived in
1t and saw it growing better. The
world was,hc thought, good deal bet
ter than it was a hundred years ago,
and though he held this opinion of by
gone times he respected this Society,
Notwithstanding it had numbered its
fifty years,
1t was the wish of his heart, he said,
that the patriots and statesmen of this
country could be brought to regard the
Bible in its true relation to Man; in
the social and physical liberty it fur
nlshes to him. One of the articles of i'm
parchment brought by infdels against
tho Bible was, that it no where incul
Gates true patriotism. Why, what is
patriotism Had Greece and Rome
o true idea Of patriotism when they
Quilt up nation on the ruins of an
other! Certainly not. When Man
IS true patriot, he seeks to elevate
INC standard of public morals, and
VINO performs this works more effect
ually than the one who distributes the
holy Bible F? Infidcls may be found
teaching their children from this book,
ana II you ask them their reason for
7so dong, they will answer that they
must give them lessons in virtue and
morals, and nowhere else can they be
found than here
The speaker then referred to the
sublime discoveries made by scionce,
ana said, though it had performed
many wonders, it had done nothing to
reach the disease of the soul and cure
u. Philosophy, what can it do? In
ufe'ece, where philosophy was most
understood, it produced refinement
oi manners with dissolution of NOR.
ais; IT only shows that the Bible alone
can elevate the morals of mankind.-
II had this power once, and it posses.
ses it now. Again, the Bible will do
a great deal to strengthen and enlarge
,he intellect. What book can the
human mind be brought in contact
with, from which it could obtain such
lhestlmable blessings as this one +? If
man would be historian, let him
study the Bible. IF it strengthens the
intellectual and physical being of a
man,if follows that it must ever remain
The bulwark of our liberty.
lie then made passing allusion to
inc m attempt to exclude the Bible from
The public schools of Baltimore, and
referred to the part he took in prevent
'og the design from being carried into
execution, and said that Just in pro.
portion as the Word of God was circu-
lated and preached among tho peoplo
OF any city, that city would flourish.
lie then spoke of tho inspiration Of
The Bible, and referred to the influence
Of familiarity with things, in bunting
Cur sensibilities. Such was its effect,
sad ne, that the fireworks Of the school