Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-07-04
nEv G.F. w1swELL's DISCOURSE.

We give below a synopsis Of the very inter
csting and eloquent discourse delivered before
Columbia Lodge, No. 26, 1. q. o. f., in the
Central Presbyterian Church, on Sunday evening
last, by Rev. G. f. WIswELL.
81 sought for man among them that should make up
the hedge stand in the gap before me for the And
that should not destroy it,"-E2ekiel XXI 80.
Those were very dark days in Jerusalem and
Samaria
profaned mine holy things. They have put no
difference between the holy and profane Neither
have they showed difference between the un-
clean and the clean; and have hid their eyes
from my Sabbaths. and am proIaned among
them. Her princes in the midst thereof are like
raying wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood
and to destroy souls, 10 get dishonest gain
And her prophets have dauhed them with IN
tempered mortar, seeing vanity and diyining lies
unto them, saying thus saith the Lord God, when
the Lord hath not spoken. The people OF the
land have used oppression and exercised robbery
and have vexed the poor and needy; yen they
hare oppressed the stranger wrongfully."
1t was in such dark days Of impiety that my
text declares Cod sought for a man who would
repair the defences of society and stand IN the
gan which sin had made, and thus stay the de-
strnction and desolation which were rushing on
like mighty tide.
From this brief opening commentary on my
text, you will readily anticipate my theme tins
evening" THE MAN FOR THE TIMES"
There is no age or period which does not
make its demands for true and rght-hearted
men. When the times run smoothly and the
wheels of q large and comprehensive prosperity
run swiftly, then men are needed to hold up
AGAINST the current Prosperity is often Sc
verer test of moral character than adversely =
But when the times are rough, and when clouds
and eloominess lower aud public morals are
corrupt, when Justice is dishonored and virtue
is despsel, when vice has premium and non
esty becomes u disgrace this is the time when
true men nre u demand, men to " make up the
hedge" aud to stand in the gap, that re-
tributive Justice fall not reentessy upon the
land,
The careless selfseeking man eau live rela
lively comfortable in any age. But TO every
truly thoughtful soul it is evident that thi'
is no Mace for eareessness or indifference. This
world is out of joint, its hedge of protection
is broken down, and n breach has been made II
its walls Now the men Tor the times ara thos'
who will manfully build up this hedge, who vii
herocally advance and "stand in the gap. =
They nre heroes. The world has its heroes Thei
record is written by Putarch, Cesar and Tac
tus. But the world cannot produce heroes; the,
are Gods special offspring. They are the legll
mate product Of those principles, of which Pau
said al am not ashamed OF the Gospel o
Christ
phe man whom Providence seeks for in thi
world and these times, is
l. He who comprehends somewhat the worl
he lives in. He ought to remember that his 1T
IA oast on the planet "earth," not Jupiter, no
Herschel. He lives in u world of realities, an
not a land of dreams and shadows. lie ca
best do his work who studies most critically th
nature Of his field. With multitudes the worl
seems great plny ground, and so they ACT liR
children, while they eat, aud drink ami pay
and die
2. He must have an intelligent apprehenalo
of the qualities and characteristics OF the ilme'
All times and periods are not alike eaoh nav
their pecnharities, and hence their peculiar d'
mands. There are demands upon us no" IN,
not long since we could not feel. lie who Woul
make up the hedge aud stand in the gap mu'
have his eyes open lIe must he sober aud Wig
liant. lie must watch, front, flank and re
, Never seemingly were so many evil-mlnded hn
men watching for prey as now
8. lie must be willing to work in and for Il
world as he finds it, 1t is bad, but finding iau
makes it no better. 1t is crooked ana uneVel
but standing afar off and seolding VIII not maj
y : it straight Everything is crookeu peeause IL
man nature is itself awry;
!, sav Won have lost nl confidence in men. And "
n feel that the reign of anarchy and univers
II corruption were upon us al BHt tins is =
world we live 10. If II were not imperie
there would be no demand for our services.
e then the true man wastes not his life IN scodl
10 or questionngs, but girds himself ior service
T. He who eau rise above the low motives
selfisbness, and do something for the pubic goo
Every man owes debt to the public, to soeie'
to the State aud the Nation, the reusel TO p'
which is huge piece OF dishonesty
know there are multitudes who live al
mnnape TO get through useless career W
never enrich the world or any one in il. Th
are full of themselves, their plans aud schen
and plots and gains They are called thrli'
why notg as they allow no nourshiaent
eecape them. They expect TO make somethl
out Of everything with which they have to DO
If they insure their life and see no animal
turns because they don't die, they throw up
policy Now this is neither heroic nor man
ire In this world we are bound TO help one
nd other'--u bear one anothers burdens
Is strengthen the weak" We must go out oil
selves to seek another's welfare. Each one m
ne see in every other, one, who like hlmseli
fallen and needs to be lifted up. We mus'
q. member that the most exalted may fall, a
Is my friends there is too much OF inns c9iu a
,ir selfish indifference to the feelings the suusrl'
and wants of others When gaunt ram anI n
erv are making clear breach through h'i
defeuces Of the unfortunate, there are 700
TO "sand in the GAP" that they be not ute
.ls ols I ,fho men whom the times now needs,
those who cultivate the generous anu mum
imnulses of our nature under the controll
pm nrincinles of the gospel, anu cherish warm