Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-03-23
A UNION MAN.
CAUSES OF NATIONAL, CALAMITY

UnhaPpiy for us impending events force upon
thinking men an inquiry into the causes of national
calamity and overthrow.
Not sparrow, or an empire, can fall without the
Will OF God. The secondary causes, and the direct
agencies of national overthrow are obvious enough
among the men and measures which lead to such a
result But back of all these apparent political
agencies of destruction is one primary cause which
produces and pervaGes the secondary causes of ma
tional evils.
All history sustains the scriptural teaching, that
when any people persistently forsake God he for
sakes them, and that national wickedness is the
cause OF national calamity. National sins are of
two kinds; those which are committed by the gov
eminent; and those which are committed by the
people. -
The design of this paper permits us only to speak
OF these sins which are committed by the people, so
generally IN all sections, as to be justly denomnated
national sins. -
l. lnfdelity, repulsed from the field of fair argu
ment is insdiousy scattering the seeds of corrup-
ton over the land The fruits have already appear
ed in the abolition anatcsm of the Northern States
IN the savage corruption of Mormonism, and in the
disregard OF Gods law in all parts of the country
2. Profanity. Because of swearing the land
mourneth" Young and old, great and small, a ma.
Jory OF all classes addicted to the foolish and
wicked habit of taking the name of the Lord in
Valn The truth of this statement is matter of COM
mon notoriety. - !.
=, u S"ooash-oreaklng- InlS SIN IS so prevalent
tnat even the churches not free from its contami
nation Instead of observing the Sabbath as a day
OF rest and worship millions of the people spend L
IN business, amusement or dissipation The fact is
patent to common observation, and needs NOT nroof
or argumentto sustain it. :.
4. Lewdness If the things done in secret were
proclaimed upon the housetop this crime in all it's
form and in all its hideousness would bring busb
OF shame, as it is invoking the wrath of God upon
the nation oe' uPoA
3. Covetousness From the petty thief to the
magnificent rogue who robs the public of millions
we see the fruit of coyetousness Nor is the exist
ence OF this national sin limited by the number Of
rogues Many thousands cheat and defraud: MANY
more withhold the Lords treasure from the inst
claims OF his cause and multitudes cherish ;doio
trous sin in their hearts, where it is concealed fo,
men, but is seen by God. = : ' 'tA
o. Pride. The prevalence of this sin is seen IN
the pomp of the rch and in the extrayaeance of al
classes t,l "e@0e vi an
z. Sensuality. Drunkenness and gluttonv dave.
uon 70 the pleasures of eating and drinking with.
our regard to health, economy, or morality. defIa
tne lives and destroy the souls of thousands
ihese are only a few forms Of that wicLadra.s
which may be called national because 4
among mnltitudes in every section of the cn,,,
writer upon political ethics has we'll obssr.a55
that God has impressed upon the peonle An onn;o,,
OF power IN the government which holds tben, in
subsection to law and order: and that whs, -.
pie has filled up the measure of w;ckednsss m
goa would punish them, be withdraws this opinion