The Cecil Whig., 1861-07-06
\ Patriotic 5rrnon.
The Christian Citizens Duty
IN TIE PRESENT CRISIS.

II DISCOURSE dthCefed IA 81 HhdieU s thnrCh
" dmlngion, Dci.. on Sunday, Apr.i 2lSt, 81.
BY ALFRED LEE,
Bishop of The Protestant Episcopal Church il,
Dci0wme.
When the ground beneath our feet is
trembling with the throcs of AT earthquake.
the minds Of men are all absorbed with the
appalling movement when the thunder.
cloud is rising swift and black above U.S. all
eyes are turned upward in anxiety and
alarln. And thus in crisis of public affairs
such as we now drplore, all hearts beat with
a common pulsatlon. A gulf opens before US
| which we contemplate with disnay and hor.
ror. The clouds that have been long gather
ing, instead Of being dispersed as we hoped
and pray cd, have overSprend our sky and the
storm seems ready to burst upoa us. We
can now look back and estimate the value OF
blessings Of which at the time we thought
lightly, appreciate that long peace. those
Tranquil Years during which war, invasion
and bloudshcd came not intc cur thoughts. -
We read and heard Of mlstcrng armies and
fierce conflicts, Of the battle of the warrior
and of garments rolled IN blood but sucl,
things seemed historical or remote. matters
belonging to other lands and people, not com.
ing home to us. We expected to hear
the cannonade, or to see our fields troddcn
down by the grim array of war. Ours was n
sense Of happy security. Of hls>ful remote
ness from the battlefield and the siege
Under the influence Of that protract,d peace
how rapid has been oLr progress in numbers,
wealth, Influence, diltistd education and
general imp,ov,ncl! We expected tins
prosperity TO continue and wee impatient
under the least check or cbhing
But change. a sudden and fearful change.
has come over US. Now we hear from every
quarter awful note Of preparation. Our
country is rapidly assuming the aspect OF
two vast camps, and the trumpet is ringing
out its loud alaIum. War is impending, and
war in its most dreadful rorm-.civil war
war between brethren Of the same family and
of the same faith; war in which five drpre-
cttc defeat, there would be much to quence
the JOY Of victory. We cannot fortste the
end, but everything portcnGs a deSperal le
struggle. Surely this is time we ought to
feel how vain is the help Of man.
This time when we may realize as VIC
never have done before, " Blessed are they
that have the God of jacob for .hrir help
and whose hope is in the Lord their God. "
that many parts Of the Bible were written
Those expressions of lofty confidence and
unwavcring trust in Jehovah sprang from
dark and troublous times. 1t was not in the
calm but in the tempest that the 10th and
like Psalms We're inditcd -" Col is our
Refuge aud Strength, very present help in
trouble; therefore will we not fear though
the earth be removed and though the noun.
tains be carried into the midst of the sea
though the waters thereof roar and be trou.
bled thoughsthc mountains shake with the
swelling thereof" We find new meaning IN
the holy volume as unlocked for changes
overtake us, and new developments crowd
upon us.
The march of events is rapid, solemn
awe.im spirngs II speaks to every heart -
to the Christian and the Minister, as wei. as
to the Statesman and the patriot. None ol
us can isolate ourselves If we would from the
living world arouud US, so intensely agitated
We are a like members of the Commonwealth
Our earthly hopes and treasures are all en-
barkcG in one vessel, and every great emcr.
gency or critical period brings it's peculiar
demands. The man who fears God is called
to act in such circumstances.
The Christian citizen desires to do his
whole duty, both as Christian and a cli.
zen. He may reasonably look for counsel to
his spiritual guides and expect from the
sanctuary a word in season. This is nc
time FIR any one, in any station. to evade
responsibility or TO refuse to look stern rcali.
ties in the face While our great object as
Ministers of Christ is to bring sinners ia
repentance. and in9uirers to Jesus. and
Christians to growth in grace. and souls IL
heaven, we are at the same time called tc
upply the principles of the Gospel to cases as
they arise, and TO present actual duty in tho
light of the word of God.
l. The first urgent duty to which now
call your attention is HUMILIATION BEFORE
Cop. War is always reckoned in Scripture
as one of the judgments of the Almighty.
We must not forget, among the plots ant
passions of men. that Jehovah is upon tn,
throne. The Lord reisnetb, let the people