The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-07-29

By HEv. On. npN11rdfo1.

BIZ Rev. DIR. HUNTINGDON.
III Il III
There is scarcely any difference Of jadg-
ment. u thu conmoa ss1ats1ent thatsI
throughout the, country there never has
tkln, iron tho arat, nists : 1850 nsti-
mste Of material and external property
than nov: 1 more absorbing and heated
punuis Of wealth: moro lavish display
Of il; freer indulgence il amusement
and IL extsavsgant forms d living; or
more frequent inssansss Of official and
pvivats Management to thrive ON the
cAlamities, costs. and necessities Of the
Government. What wonder if some whis.
pers Of discomfort creep through the en-
campments Of the army and the cabins Of
the navy? From the capital, through III
our large cities and seals Of commerce..
out to the remotest hamlets, sni from
rulers 10 tho highest stations 10 subjects
in the msanest, men ere calculating the
profits Of their opportunity. There is, to
say the least, no abatement il any kind
Of vice or pro6igacy, 10 fraud. 10 profanity.
in gambling, in contemps of the Lords
Day, in oil descriptions Of sensuality.-
Making al allowance for benevolent ALE.
viations Of the sniierings of soldiers, these
faoss yet remain undisputed. In other
words. dropping specifications. we must
agree in this: That religious humility
and that reverence which the nations
God designs and demands 10 His Word,
are mot generally produced. We arc not
rspentant. We are not sober@d We are
not on our knees. We are nbs . people
bringing forth fruit meet for repentance.
How can We help recalling the sharp and
searching menaces of the Scriptures 20
Why should it not be said BY the Judge
here, as again and again OF another ia
vored and ungrateful kingdom, fShall
not visit them for these things. saith the
Lord? Shall l not be avenged on such
cation AZ this 7" s'The nation that viii
not serve me shall perish" It is often
observed how like wild and pseposter-
Gus dream it would have seemed il, four
years ago, any human being had predicted
the present actual eondition-military,
social, 6nancial--of this country. But |
believe it would have struck almost eyery
sane mind then as equally inctstible, that,
such condition being supposed As posi-
BILE, the people would mot have been
Drought BY it to . deeper feeling Of their
Dependence their danger, and their Gin
humbled under the mighty hand Of God
These reflections would be all unavail-
ing and Improbable, il there we're nothing
for Us. individually and directly, to do
except to utter them. But, on the con-
trary, there is not one amongst US all who
has not some direct and individual re-
sponsibility for the wrong, and some
power to set it right. Indeed, if there is
any such thing to be hoped for as refor-
nation that will avert Gods yexing US
with his storms Of retribation, il must
come about by no other way in the world
than just this simple correction and turn
ing of personal hearts aud lives, one BY
one, family by family, ell over the land,
back to God-heartiiy humbling ourselves
under His mighty hand.
Nor is this urgent duty left in any
vague and shapeless cloud Of sentiment.
It lies in distinct and pslpable steps
plain and simple as any ether steps il a
Christians walk with God.
Understand tina. nothing in lawful,
natural enterprise is precluded, or to be
omitted. Doubtless every citizen must
do everything in his ability, according 10
the obvious rules asd common sense con-
disions of success, to render this impend.
ing movement physically powerful. As a
true patriot, and true Christian it
cannot b. too often repeated that he can
never Be trus Christian without being
trse patFiot-he will uphold and help
the forces that represent the faith that is
IN him and the cause he holds right and
dear, BY his gifss, by his daily speech, BY
his public speech. BY his public spirit aud
attention to the public interest, By all
cheerful, patient, prompt, untiring sacri-
fees. This he will do. He win act up
TO the spirit Of The prophets own ringing
call in this book: .tGaiher myself 10
troops" Wake up the mighty men; let
all the mighty men of war draw near"