The Cecil Whig., 1861-07-06

out his deteiminate counsel and knowledge.
The sins of the nations are punished IN this
world, Tor national life is only upon earth -
In pestilence femme, war and kindred evils
1t is atheism TO refuse to acknowledge God S
hand.
The Lord is dealing with us in Justice /:
unfolding his controversy. His sharp and
glItterins sword waves over us. He calls us
to humble ourselves under his mighty hand.
And our sins, public and piivrte, have
deserved the visitation. The catalogue of
them is leug-thc dye Of them is crimson and
scarlet cannot pause now to vnuneratc C
! them. When We assembled, soon after the
dawn OF this year, on the occasion of the
General Fast, | advcrled to some of them. I
might greatly enlarge the roll But | can
only now press upon you the ndubitable
truth, that we are passing as a people under
the Judicial dealings of holy God 1t is 4
solemn consideration. 1t calls for deep heart
scearchings, and sincere repentance When
the ann OF Jehovah is raised to Smite, let a
people bow down in the dust. We NAV law.
| full resist the violence of man, but let lis
not harden ourselves abinst God. We have
been in years past hey ond any nation ON the
face Of the earth protected favored, enlarged
and blessed Were we grateful humble.
obcicnt and holy Were we in truth a
Christian people! Or, rather, were not our
marked characteristics pride, boastfuncss.
vain-giory' mammon' worship, venal legisa-
ton, licence and unsodlncs ? "Shall not
visit for these things, saith the Lord ?"--
Humiliation then, - Be still and know that
am God, the contritc heart and bended knee
are demanded OF us by the voice that sounds
| in this tempest.
z Trust in God is the duty of his people. -
we arc carried safely through the impend.
ing trial-lf wearr spared many of the calam
tiles which war usually brings, if our homes
Shall not be invaded. nor our city sacked, nor
our sons and brothers NUN bercd with The
slain, it as community or as families we are
preserved, it victory crown what We believe
to be the right, 1t peace soon gladden. us with
her returning smllc it will not be owing to
policy or to arms. to sklfu leaders and brave
followers. 1t will not be through the arm Of
flesh, but the arm of God. Some trust in
charlutS and some in horscnen, but we W ill
trust in the Lord our God" Armed with
divine protection the STRIPPING David over
came Goliath, and Gideon with his three
hundred put to Hight the vast hosts of INDIAN
One OF our bcsctllng sins is arrogant boast
ing. In parts of our country it has been for
months past rife and rank. Oh that we
might 90 into the struggle, if come it must,
IN different spirit, in on humble, manly and
Christian reliance upon God looking unto
the great and glorious jehovah. and ahjuring
all other confidence. And surely thus is
time for prayer, for earnest calling upon
God. Let every Christian heart be lifted up
to Him who hcarc,h prayer. Let the sup
plant fill his mouth with arguments, and
plead with the Lord with all prayer and
suppcallon. At other times we have much
to ask for ourselves, our families and friends
for the church and the world now there is
one great and pressing subject, with which
all the others are more or less involved. for
this is like to come to US in various ways,
and touch MS at many points.
). Another duty that feel bound TO pre-
sent to the Christian citizen is that of sus.
TANNING TIE CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES AND
RALLYING UNDER OUR COUNTRy's BANNER
We have been for years enjoying the blessing
of mild paternal and constitutional govern
Inent, under whose gentle bcniticent sway
every citizen has been safe at home and res
pected abroad liberty and property have
been secure; industry has been encouraged ::
and every civil right and social blessing Lave
been enjoyed to the fullest extent.
violence Shall nJt those who have so long
experienced its benefits Use as cne man in It's
defence. aud present solid front to its
enemies
The question is not now one of names, or
OF men, or OF parties. 1t is one of country
OF liberty, of national existence, of life or
death. The Chief Magistrate of the great
American Republic represents in his person
thp tna inst, ,( 4 tl.. tn,,, L., 30, al.
head, and the blow struck at him is aim,d at
the Constitution and the people, at every
home and every bosom. We arc in the midst
of u sterncr crises than were the men of '7G
What would have been the restoration of
Blush rule over the thirteen colonies, a ule
which has proved so generally benrticent and
honorable to lis subjects. what would this
have been in comparison with the danger
now threatening, the subversion of all author
ity, the tyranny Of an unprinciplcd and 0cs.
pctic uscrpaIion, and the reducing the goody
fabric OF national grandeur TO q sllapuless
heap! Our dearest earthly interests arc now
at stake, and the welfare of children. and of
chidren's children, trrmblrs IN ibis balance.
In the heat Of this unhappy conflict each
right on its side. This is the case in every
E'S11 'iiat hha eNCI dSildVu HldHk
No party in a strife ever acknowledged itself
to be in the wrong But is there a shadow
OF Il doubt as to the judgement of impartial
observers at distances or of The unprcudi-
ced historian in the future? l have not the
smallest question as to which side will enlist
the sympathies Of the lovers of order, peace,
truth liberty and justice throughout the
world-slill less doubt as to which has the
approval Of Almighty God.
In a time of profound peace and security
when the republic is in the most Hourishing
condition, and other nations looking on with
admiration, there is revolutionary oulhurst
IN our extreme Southern States; the laws are
set at defiance, the public property. seized
Qualifications surprised, the tlme-honored
national banner insu.tcd and trampl,d in the
dust. a vast conspiracy to dcspoil- and
betruy the Government embracing members
OF the very cabinet itself. is disclosed. Off.
Gers IN the civil and military service, who
have taken a solemn oath to support the con-
stitution, Prove treacherous, AID abuse the
confidence reposed in them.
This course Of aggression is submitted to
for months, almost without resistance, while
vain attempts are made at conciiation. For.
bearance. instead of producing the desired
effect, only cmboldeus the leaders in these
violent measures.
Warlke preparations are unrcn,tting and
ut length weakly garrisoned fortress is
aombaIded and captured. Men hastening 10