American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-11-09

ihF, W INV NS'HONAN. N'iNA wv 80 N'N-i
demands OF the slave power. And many
among us excuse aud palliate, and some
even justify the execrable system of op-
preston: and some there are in our midst
who even 20 so far, as to take the word OF
God to prove that slavery is right, aud iii
accordance with the Divine VIII.
The Bible indeed recognizes coudi-
ton OF service regulated by The precepts
of the gospel OF Christ, which is not sim
ful. But the system OF human slavery
established by law in the Southern States
of this Republic; where human beings,
intelligent and immortal creatures are
absolute property mere chattels: where
they are bought and sold, like cattle in
the stalls, ,pDd sheep in the pens: where
they are deprived of the right of mar
riage; deprived Of parental rights; de-
plived Of the right 10 mental and moral
improvement deprived OF The right to
read The word Of God for themselves; /;
aud deprived OF the right TO worship God
according to the dictates of their own
conscience, and the requirements OF the
Gospel ofJesus Christ is sinful, and only
sinful continually.
The celebrated Chatham we are told,
once said he would never come into the
British House Of Parliament with the
Statute Book doubled down m. dogs cars
to prove that liberty was the birth-IiSht
of British subjects. And The Hon,
William Maxwell, distinguished and
able Lawyorau Statesman, aud an en-
incnuy pious Elder in the Presbyterian
Church, in a debate on slavery in the
Synod Of Virginia more than thirty years
ago, referring 10 The language of the noble
English carl aud statesman, said: "Nor
will come into This Synod with my Bi-
bic doubled down in dogs ears 10 prove
that slavery is wrong. No, sir, will not
undertake such work Of supcrerosatioa
One pced read but the first chapter in the
word Of God, 70 be convinced chat slavery
is wrong. How was man created with
dominion over the soul and body OF his
fellow man? No There was no slavery in
Eden. 1t prcposterous 10 80 TO The Bible
to defend slavery. lis universal spirit is
against the institution sloriously against
it." SHAREHOLDERS therefore, and all who
are apoogists aud defenders OF such a
system Of injustice aud niqllity, are gull
ty of a heinous sin in the sight OF God.
Aud it has called down The righteous
judgments Of Heaven upon our devoted
country.
Slavery is not the only great sin in our
land il is true. There are other sins Of
fearful magnitude. Drunkenness aud
profanity, Sabbath-bieakinS and uncloon-
ness, lying and perjury, theft and mur-
der, and with them this gigantic system
of cruelty and oppression. 1t is these
great crimes that have Brought the dis
pleasu Of just and holy God upon us.
Ii is for these he is visiting us in his an
GER. It is in punishment for these things
that he has torn us with his justice, and
is making us writhe in anguish under Che
strokes of his avenging rod. Aud my
dear friends, Stroke will follow swift upon
stroke, until We are truly humbled, aud
brought to genuine iopeutcucc before the
majesty of heaven; and say with Gods
ancient people, "come, and let us return
unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he
will heal us; he hath smitten, and he
viii bind US up"
The seco& thought presented to us in
the text is, the duty Of individuals and
nations in these solemn circumstances.
The duty is clearly aud definitely stated.
1t is to repent and return unto God.
''Come lei us return unto the Lord. ?
With feeling sense of ourguilt and uu-
worthipess, and with deep humiliation on
account OF it, we must confess our Sins
unto God, aud implore pardon, and mcr-
cy, and divine help. A mere verbal con-
fessiou Of guilt, mere outward and for.
mall humiliation, will not find acceptance
with God, We must not only say that
we have sinued against God, but we mus
feel in the depth Of our soul-conscious
ness that we have sinned, and siuned
| grievously against him, and we mustpros
trate ourselves at the footstool Of sover
eisn mercy; and cry for forgiveness, and
for the favor aad interposition Of Jeho
yah.
But we must not only confess our sin:
to God as individuals, and as nation
but we must repent of our sins, and for
sake them, aud return unto God. The
scriptures teach us most clearly that, I" he
that covereth his sins shall not prosper
but whose coufesseth and foTsaketh then