American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-11-02


pie, 'tCome and let us return unto the
Lord for he hath torn, and he will heal
us he hath smitten, and he will bind US
up
The first thought, clearly implied in the
words of the text is, that that we have
departed from God. All men in their
natural state have departed from God
They have rebelled against his moral gov
ernment. They are sinners in heart, and
sinners in life. Alienated aud enemies
to God, in their minds and by wicked
works And as the individuals are cor
rupt and deprayed, the whole mass Of hu-
manity must likewise be corrupt and de-
generated. The call of Gods ancient
people one to another to return to him,
implied that they had wandered away
from him. And SO also we asa people have,
departed from God. God would not have
a controversy with US as a nation had we
not forsaken him. He would not he con-
teuding with us had We not sinned against
him. We would not he called upon to
return unto him, had We not departed
from him.
God has always been mindful of us,
and greatly blessed US, and prospered us
as nation lie has enlarged our bor-
ders. He has immensely increased our
wealth He has augmented our power.
And the light of our national greatness
and glory, shone in every land on the sur
face of the globe. But we had forgotten
him, and transgressed against him. We
have forgotten God that made us, and
lightly esteemed the Rock of our saliva
ton" A growing spirit of pride and ar
rogance has prevailed in our land At
the commencement ol, the ciyilwar which
is now casting gloom, desolation and sor-
row, all over our country, it was thought
by many that 10000 men would be sut-
ficient to crush out the rebellion But
since then one call after another has been
made. until now more than million and
a half of men have been marshaled on
the field OF conflict; but with all this we
have not been able yet to subdue 1t !;
still the rebellion presents defiant 'front.'
and threatens the very life OF the Re-
public. God is humbhng our pride, and
showing us that Of ourselves we are pow
erless. We have been selt-sufficlent, and
vain-g glorious as nation. We have ex-
alted ourselves aud conducted ourselves
as if there were no God, who had estab-
lshed his throne in the heavens, and
who is the Sovereign Ruler among the
nations. We have failed distinctly to
recognise the existence and government
OF God over us in our National Constl-
tuition. Aud we have generally been
crlmiualiy negligent to elect men oi
SOUND moral and religious principles to
rule over us, to make laws ior US, and to
execute judgment aud justice among US.
A bad party spirit that has ielt christian
patriotism out OF view almost altogether
has controlled our people. Aud an al
most entire want oi sound moral and po-
litical principles, and fearful degree OF
corruption has characterized the great
majority OF our public men. Anu even
under the pressure of all our present Ca
lamlties. there seems to be but little eyl-
dence OF true national humility and re-
pentance ia the sight of God There
seems to be no real improvement Of God 5
dealing with US, 10y the great mass OF
our people. Nay, on the other hand the
nation seems TO be growing worse and
worse, and plunging deeper into folly and
stu. Bribery and corruption, fraud ana
extortion, speculation and swndlnY,
abound, and are permitted to 60 III a
great measure unpunlshed. Supreme
worldliness and spirit OF wild ana reck-
less speculation, is rushing like fierce
tornado over the land. Gold is the god
to which multitudes Of our people are
bowling down, with more than the devo-
tion OF Hindoo idolatry. Ambition is
the phantom idol which others are fer
vently worshiping. And many more are
kneeling in lowly homage at glorys daz-
zline shrine. Yes, we have torsaken
God, the God of our Fathers, who has
made us great, and raised US to be the
glory OF all lands; and surely it is no
wonder that his wrath is aroused, aud that
he is executing vengeance upon our gull
ty land.
And then added to all .his, the great
original and procuring cause of all our
troubles the wicked and detestable sys-
tenn of African Slavery; the dreadful
curse of human bondage; which has
blighted and darkened this once fair and
peaceful land. of ours; and made it a