The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-01-24
inc Of a Fathers hand?

us, ''Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
If any man lack wisdom, let him ask OF
God who givcth lihcralty and upbraidcth
not. What shall we think of this great
struggle, and what is the path OF duty
for us? Speaking in His name will en-
dcavor to answer so far as [ have Gods
authority for what l say
And. first. wcshould settle IN our minds
that great principles underlic this whole
matter; we should avoid superficial views,
and strive to see the mighty issues that
arc pending. This sno temporary though
acute disorder Of the body polite, but a
chronic distcmpcr,n now breaking out afresh
and throwing the patient into convulsions.
This young giant would not writhc and
perish under a mere functional derange-
mcnt. an organic disease prays on the Vi
tails. The different portions Of our coun-
try could not come into such hostile and
deadly collision upon the ordinary ques
tions of public policy.
One section of this country believes
that its dearest rights are injurcd-thc
right of selfgovernmcnt, the right to con-
stitutional liberty, the right to equality
in the common Government and domain !;
she believes that along with these rights
is implicated the truth, the truth Of God,
the rcrcaled truth Of God; and believing
that these priceless treasures arc gliding
from her grasp, she is struggling to regain
them. 1fall this be true if our liberties
and our religion are in danger, what have
we to do but to stand up boldly for our
rights, rights that we inherit as English
men and rs Americans, rights that began
to be secured to us when the Barons wres-
ted Magma Charta from the ncrveless grasp
Of King John; rights that sought revenge
for their violation in the royal
blood of Charles l rights, tho vlndi-
cation of which, hurled James II from the
throne; rights. that rising to still grander
proportions in this new world. found Il
championin Washington.and embodiment
in the institutions Of our country.
God gave us these rights; they arc sin
gular marks Of his goodness, and we can
not with impunity throw them away !;
they are the Inheritance Of our chill
drcn which we are not at liberty to define
or waste.
Questions of great magnitude and diff
Guilty arise as TO tie time and mode, the
when and the how of discharging our du-
ties in this matter
But these are purely politicalqucstions.
and as such can not properly be discussed
in the pulpit AS Il man and citizen. |
have my own opinions which are well
known by you; for without obtrudins my
sentiments ON any one. and while pursu-
ing steadily the duties of my high and ar
duous vocation, have not hesitatcd to
utter MY thoughts when called upon to
do so. Born on the soil Of South Carroll
na. and educated in her views. have not
abiured the convictions Of life time and
proiesscd to have received new rcvcla-
ton. but have been true TO the instincts
of nature, and have cherished the lessons
that I drank in with my mothers milk.
But what I may think as Il man, is Of no
consequence to you on this occasion and
in this place; you only wish to know the
message Of the Lord at my mouth. The
terms of my commission are limited-1
am commanded to teach religion and am
allowed to touch on other topics only so
far as they. touch, on religion. Were it
otherwise, were ! allowed full scope, nay
natural feclings.would spring forward with
aactrity to discuss this whole matter.
But l dare not do it; my commission
forbids it. Like an officer placed with his
regiment at :. particular place in the field.
though he may frequently think that he
could do great service by leaving his post
and engaging in the battle, yet he dare
not do it without orders from his comman-
der In so far ministers of the Gospel
have disobeycd marching orders" con-
fusion has been the result. l shall not
initiate an example fiaught with so much
sin and mischief. For these easons l
cannot take up those qucstionsSthcy arc
civil and not at all religious.
But there are other aspects aIahc mat
ter which rightfully fall within tie scope
of this days discoursc-aspects which are
so strcnuously urged by every dictate of
hnnnnnity and rnlimion and Which 50 OK