The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1860-12-12

Ne pr4]e the L0r4 " that cur gamers we're
full, aaording all manner of store; that ouf
sheep brought bah thousands and len
thousands in our stfeets that our 0 tea were
strong % labor, AMI there vas no breaking
il nor going out, and po complaining was Ia
odr streets.n As we together survey the
blessings OF Providence, the joyful chorus
swelied from millions of people, " Peace be
within thy walls and. prospcrity. withiu (tlly
palaces" But, to-day, bnrdened hearts ali
over this land arc brought to the sanctuary
of God. We" see the tepts Of Cushyn, IN
affection, And the curtains of tho lasld sf
indian do tremble." We have fallen spon
times when there are Hsigns in the sun, and
in the moon, ami IN the stars; upon the
earth distress Of nations, with perplexity;
the sea and the waves roaring; mems hearts
falling them for fear and for looking after
those things which are coming in the near
yet gloomy future. Since the words of this
proclamation wero penned by which we are
convened, that which all men dreaded, but
against which all men hoped, has been resLiz-
ed and in the triumph Of sectional MAJOR.
ty we are compelled to read the probable
doom Of our once happy and united confede-
racy. II is not to be concealed that we are
in the most fearful and pcrilous crisis which
has occurred in our history as nation. Tho
cords which, during four ffths of century,
have bound together this growing republic
are now strained TO their utmost tension:
they Just need the touch Of FIRE to part
asunder forever. Like aship laboring in the
storm and suddenly grounded upon some
treacherous shoal-eyery timber of this vast
confederacy strains and groans under the
pressure. Sectional divisions, the Jealousy
of rival interests, the lust Of political power,
bastard ambition which looks to personal
aggrandizemcnt rather than to the public
veal, reckless radicalism which seeks for
the subyersion of all that is apcieLt and
stable, and furious fanaticism- which drives
on its l-considered conclusions with utter
disregard of the evil it engenders-al these
combine to create a portentous crisis, the
like of which we have never known before,
and which puts to crucifying test the vir-
tue, the patriotism aud the piety Of the
country. : fl5a up irt G...T ~, -..l q,
YOU my hearers, who have waited upon
my public ministry and have known me in
the rintimacies of pastoral intercourse, will do
me the justice to testify that have never
intermeddlcd with political questions. In
tercsted as l might be in the progress of
events, have never obtruded, either public
ly or privately, my opinions upon any of
you; nor can single man arise and say
that, by word and sign, have ever sought
to warp his sentiments or control his judg-
lnent upon any political subject whatsoever.
The party questions which have hitherto di-
vided the political world, have seemed to me
to involve no issue sufficiently momentous
to warrant my turning aside, even for mo-
ment, from my chosen calling. In this day
of intelligence, have felt there were thou
sands around me more competent to instruct
in craftsmanship; and thus, from considera-
tons Of mcdesty no less than prudence,
have preferred to move smong you as a
preacher of righteousness belonging to a
kingdom not of this world. ........
During the heated canvass which has just
been brought to so disastrous close, the
seal of rigid and religious silence has not
been broken. deplored the divisions
amongst us as being, to large extent, i'm
pertinent in the solemn crisis which was too
evidently impending. Most clearly did it
appear to me that but one issue was before
us; an issue soon to be presented in form
which would compel tho attention. That
crisis might make it imperative upon me as
Christian and divine to speak in language
admitting no misconstruction. Until then,
aside from the din and strife of parties,
could only mature, with solitary and prayer
full thought, the destined utterance. That
hour has come. At juncture so solemn as
the present, with the destiny of great peo-
pie waiting upon the decision Of an hour. it
is not lawful to be still. Whoever may have
influence to shape public opinion, at such a
time must lend it, or prove faithlesS to trust
as solemn as any to be accounted for at the
bar of God.
Is it immodest in me to assume that may
represent class whose opinions in such q
controversy are Of cardinal Importance The
class which seeks to ascertain its duty in the
light simply of conscience aud religion; and
which turns to the moralist and the Christian
for support and guidance. The question,
too, which now places us upon the brink of
revolution was in its origin a question of
morals and religion. 1t was. debated in &c
clesiastical councils before it entered legisla-
tive halls. II has riven asundcr the two
largest religious communions in tn, land :
and the right determination Of this primary
question will go far toward fixing the attitude
we must assume in the coming struggle. /
sincerely pray God that I may be forgiven if
| have misapprchended the duty incumbent
upon me to-day; for | have assembled this
pulpit under the agitation of feeling natural
to one who is about to deyiate from the set
tied policy of his public life. 1t is my pur-
pose-not as your organ, compromising you,
whose opinions are for the most part un-
known to me, but on my sole responsibility
to speak upon the one question of the
day; and to state the duty. which, as be-
Iieye, patriotism and religion alike require of
us ALL shall aim to speak with modera-
ton Of tone and feeling almost Judicial, well
BETTING the sanctitics of the place and the
solemnities of the judgment day.
In determining our duty in this cmer-
gency it is necessary that we, should first as
certain the nature Of the tru st providentially
committed to us. A nation often has a
character as well defined and intense as that
of the individual. This depends, of course,
upon'a variety of causes. operating through a
long period of time. It is due largely to
the original traits which distinguish the