The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1864-03-04
From the Petersburg Express.
A Beautiful Extract.

j I.s Fl Il = j y + - =.
We copy the following beautiful extract
from the Lenten Address of the Rt. Rev.
Bishop Johns, Of the Protestant Episcopal
Chrch Of Virginia, and commend it to the at.
1 tentve perusal of our readers:
Last, not least Indeed of paramount inn
portance, as affecting all our other interests,
/ let me commend to you the interests OF our
assaiIed and suffering country. Without In
/ jury done or designed to others--witl, no of
| fence alleged but the desire and dertermina-
! ton to exercise the inherent ght OF self goy-
ernment-and notwithstanding every pacific
effort within the verge of reason and honor.
these Confederate States, with population
of seven millions of freemen, have for nearly
three years been exposed to the horrors of a
war waged with atrocious cruelty, and that
/ BY a people with whom we had been associa-
| ted ii bonds of national,a and Christian brother
hood. 1t is not my province to portray these
outrages, or to suggest ausht to inflame those
feelings which such wrongs naturally pro-
woke: but rather to counsel their control and
! moderation We cannot be insensible to the
evils our eneaies have perpetrated. or indit-
ferent to the purposes OF destruction which
they iercely proclaim. We cannot be blind
to the vast preparations made and making
| for their accomplishment. But we need NOT
| be cast down and disguieted by the occasisa-
I'll and temporary success in a conflict where
the numerical disparity is 50 great. Our
strength is not in the multitude If eur hosts,
| but in the justice efsour cause; and cur help
| is not in an arm Of flesh but in Him who
stitch on the throne Judging right and to
whom We may make our appeal in this eur
necessity, that He would take the cause into
his own hands, and Judge between us and our
enemies" We may for the increase of our
humble confidence remeslber how it is writ
ten. IF thou scest the oppression of the poor,
and the violent peryerting Of Judgment in
province, marvel not at this: fer he that is
higher than the highest regar,lcth; and there
be higher than they" And again how i it
written. .'.Vengeanceiis mine / will repay.
saith the Lord 2, TO Him therefore wa may
address ourselves during this season of fast
ing, humiliation and prayer. and beseech him
to deliver US from the hands of our enemies,
and give us peace. Such prayers faithfully
offered place US within the covenant where.
mercy will embrace Us en- every side, and
cover US as with ansimpersous shield
But, brethren. let MS not msealculate and
be dispirted by the Disappointment it occa-
sons. In etfeting the deiiyerance which we
desire, God may lead us by a way which We
know not and though more ardaous labors,
and severer and more protracted trials than
we apprehend: and by such dispensation bet
ter answer our prayers than our inclnations
would prescribe. There may be much cor
ruption to expurgate before we are in a con-
dition to profit truly and permanently by the
blessing Of peace. We may need stronger
treatment than we have yet experienced. to
prepare us for the safe enjoynienb Of liberty.
Indeed this is net Improbable, when we con-
slider the ravenous seltishness which prevails
under the various forms Of coyeronsness, dis
| cord. strife and Frivolous induigeuces
Perhaps we must feel the formidable dan
ger pressing more ciosely upon our very life,
before individuals will forbear to labor supre-
mely for their private interest and become
identified in the great Struggle for national
existence and safety.
Ii whilst those on whom the responsibility
rests are striving to the utmost to provide
sustenance for those noble men who form our.
army and are enduring hardness, and facing
death for our deience-others are boarding
up the provisions Of the country. and specu-
latlns on its necessities or lavishly consum-
ing them on their own lusts-neea we be SUR
prised if hostile bands are permitted to plum
der what it thus perverted or prostituted? s.
1t whilst the groans Of the wounded and
dying and the wall Of the bereayed, are com
ing up to US from every part of our land, we
drown them by noisy merriment, if we 60
in the drapery of mourning, and as it were,
dance daily round the fresh graves Of the
worthy dead, who have fallen IN protecting
us-need We be amazed if yet sorer ehastise.
ant 10 tptts A
seonrge us to becoming sobriety.
( ''On, why should we be. stricken any n,ore?"
Let US examine and try our ways. Lei us
rend our hearts and not our garments, and
tnrn unto the Lord our God with fasting and
to anger andrepenteth him Of the evil.
And then instead of succunbing through a
craven dread of difficulties, and ingloriou.
love of ease,S like. 'lssachar as "a strong ass
croaching down between two burdens, who
saw that rest was good and the land that it !
was pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear
and became servant unto tribute, 1--WE shall
rise IN the stfepgthsof the mighty God of ia. !
cob, and give ourselves With true devotion to
our o. country, ready for any sacrifices its vel.
fare May demand
Ii this Lentan season is sgnalizsd by such
services as have been skeIched, it must prove
productive Of great and lasting good to our.
selves and to the Church and uoDiederaey.
w may hope that peace and happiness, truth
and Justice. religion and pietywill be essab-
ilshed amongst rs, and that God even our own
sod will give us his blessing.
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An Eloquent Extract.
6eneratien after generation have felt as we
now feeil and their lives were as active as our
own The heavens shall be as bright over eur !
graves as they are around our paths Yet
little While andsall this shall have happened.
I ne throbblng heart will be stiled, and We shall
be at rest Cur funeral will wend its way ani
the prayers viii be said, and we shall be left in
the darkness and silence Of tae tomb. And # 4