The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-03-06
From the North.

The following extracts from remafka-
bic sermon delivered recently at Provi-
denee. r, l., by the Episcopal Bishop Of
that State, we obtain from the Hartford
Conn., Times. Ii is fervent prayer
for peace. One year ago Bishop Clarke,
like many others who forgot their calling,
was feryent for war;
Bishop Clark's text was from Lamenta-
tions, v. l6. THE crown is fallen from
our head. Woe unto us, for we have
sinned!" After reference to the sad
picture OF royersss which the prophet
describes in the book of Lamentations.
the Bishop proceeded to show the appli-
cations of his language 10 the condition
of our country.
I'VE have fallen upon evil days and
the heart of the nation beats with agony.
do not wish TO say word that shall
deepen the gloom--we must look the
facts in the face, we must be willing to
see where we stand, and what dangers
threaten us. The crown of prosperity
has fallen from our beads There is no
suspension in the operations of business.
There are many who are making money
as they never did before. BY single
turn of the wheel, some find themselves
rich who were poor yesterday. There
could never be better time for shrewd
and daring speculation
Money is a drug; and when man
has made his half million. he does not
know what to do with it, for he feels that
there is no paper which may not be rags
in year, no stock which may not have
a stand still. Nothing is safe but gold
and land; and the former can be had on
ly at ruinous rates, and the latter may
yield no income. We have sort of
hectic prosperity, but the vital organs
are diseased. We nave an abundant cur
rency-an over abundant currency-be-
cause it is fictitious, a promise to pay"
which everybody knows is'a lie. The
show of prosperity that we have cannot
last long. We are blowing the bubble
larger and larger every day, and it grows
thinner as it expands. 1t glistens glo-
riously in the sunshine for moment,
but it will burst suddenly and vanish into
space. We have ceased to accumulate
the true material OF prosperity, produc-
ing and manufacturing abundantly. Ev-
cry one knows that soon the supply will
be much larger than the demand and
we are specializing upon the impending
calamity.
This is rot the worst. The tempta-
tons to FRAUD are irresistible, and meny
men, of whom we had expected better
things, are yielding to the temptation
The most discouraging thing in the pres
ent alarming crisis is the fact that so
many loyal citizens are improving the OPP
portunity to amass enormous profits. by
fraudulent specuations upon the mise
ries OF the country. have seen the re.
suits of this at Washington in forms that
make mems blood curGle with indigna-
tion. have seen sick and dying men
in our hospitals furnished with supplies
for which the contractors were paid
generous price, and the poor creatures
turned away with loathing from the
nauseous substances laid upon their hot
and fevered lips.
"Here at the North weabolished slavery
when it ceased to be profitable; but down
to the present hour the very name of
Africa IS term of ndgnity and reproach.
We cast contempt on him because he is
weak. We exclude him as far as we can
from every station of responsibility, no
matter what his qualifications may be,
and we would be glad to get rid of him
altogether, if we could.
Il hold no Utopian views on this sub
ject | never believed that the relation
of master and servant is of necessity
sin. always thought that evil needed
TO be carefully and judiciously han
died.
again we have sinned % nation, in
the persons Of our representatives and
rulers. 1t is the wise forethought and
sober judgment and deliberate wisdom
of the community which determines who
shall be our rulers? How are they nomi-
mated? How are they elected? How do
they conduct themselves after .hey are
elected? Do they never take bribes?-
Do they represent the country or the par
ty which elects them? Do they decide
every question by its merits? Are they
always sober, temperate, chaste, free from
all obscenity and profaneness? Do they
always utter their honest convictions
Whenever a measure is proposed for ac-
ton, do they ask, 'ls~it wise and is it
right? and SO determine how they will.
vote? Alas the crown of glory is fallen
from our head aud there is no hope for
the country until the people arise in their
might and say, I'VE will no longer have
prohigates and fools to rule over u.s.
The descent has been so low that it is
considered as improperly to speak Of the
subject in Christian pulpit Politics
mean party, and this is out of place in
the house of God.
81 think the world have found out
clearly enough we are weak We are not
weak in numbers or resources, but we
are weak in that efficient action which
comes of faith, earnestness, selfdenal,
and unity of faith and unity Of purpose.
We have made many awful sacrifices to
no purpose. We follow up nothing so
that it tells substantially upon the final
issue. The fault is laid here and there
and everywhere, and there are none so
positive in their censure as those who
know nothing Of the facts.
80 that unity of the nation might be
restored in the bond of perpetual peacel
pies for this. y Blow from the South,
o winds of God, and carry back the mes.
sage of fraternity and peace Scatter
the darkness, roll away the clouds and
give unto us all once more the sunshine
OF tranquil rest! Under the shadow of
thy wings we make our refuge; o God,
GIVE US PEACE"