The weekly union record., 1865-08-19
The Breach Repaired.
A SERMON PREACHED IN CHICO oS FAST DAY
By J. W wooDxAS.

+ And thou shalt be called, The repairer of the
breach, the restorer of paths TO dwell in.-lsaah
/ 5s:l2.
In obedience to the voice OF the nation, you
have met here to join in worship appropriate
to day of fasting and prayer.
L. l inrlte you to contemplate the true
meaning of Fast.
The Hebrew word Tzos, fast, literally signi.
6es closed mouth The word is alike signi6.
cant of the literal index. abstinence, and the
spiritual import of fast. All civilized na-
tions have practiced keeping days Of fasting
but failing to comprehend the spiritual mean
ing of the term. they have often tasted in vain.
Spiritually, it means stopping of excuse
making ng-taking away apologies for oursins-
protracted religious reflection, coupled with
repentance for SINS 1t is therefore the natural
expression of uncomfortable grief in times OF
great national calamity and a very appro
pirate way for the soul to conform its course
to the manifest providence of God. The King
Of Nineveh knew how to use fasting to the
great advantage of his people in the presence
Of threatened judgments. 1t is useful to a
people only as it produces changes in them
selves. whereby they come more into harmony
with God, and his known law of pardoning
grace. Since great grief frequently disquali-
6es person. for the time being. from eating,
and naturally produces disgust for all sensual
pleasures, abstinence from food, and confluence
from pleasure-taking have ever been ipdices Of
fast day. But they are not unnecessarily
connected. Men may truly fast where the
indices are wanting while on the other hand,
if the heart fasts not, the indices may become
snare
Fasting does imply clear head and q
warm heart. Its very nature therefore pre-
cludes the use of strong drink
Fasting was once very extensively used for
purposes of spiritual illumination Moses in
giving the law, and Christ in entering upon
bis mission dedicated their souls to God in
fast. 1t has more commonly been used for
governmental purposes. Moses, David and
Solomon all tasted when they had great ques
tioDs of state to solve.
1t is also means by which we bring our
selves to feel the surrounding providence Of
God, and TO shape our course accordingly. A
fast day may afford public incentive to in
dividuas, but personal reflection, and indi-
vidual reformation constitute the public en-
couragement desired. 1t were well that we
all kuew just how much we have aided in the
great rebellion of the nineteenth century.
H. Let us recapdulate some of those eul-
minafing crents ieuding TO the Proclamation Of
the prese,t day of Fasting ana Prayer.
Il little more than one-third of a century
ago, there arose prophet of slavery strong
in intellect keen in vision, and, and with his
own people. mighty in power. This man de
voted bis long life to the interests of bondage.
need not tell you that | refer to John G.
Calhoun, of South Carolina. Two positions
were taken by him, which have since become
fruitful cause of all our woes. The dogma
of '' State Rights and the basphemous as.
sumption of the Divine sancton OF slavery"
are the positions referred to. The one led to
publication, ending in rebellion; the other to
the division of the Church. The latter doubt
less was advised, only as dividing wedge for
the accomplishment of the former. President
Jackson had mind to hang him, and but for
the strong pressure of the members of his
Cabinet would have done so. He however
showed mercy. Clemeucy to the individual
proved cruelty to the State. Witness ye
smouldering ashes from a thousand desolate
cities. The failure to execute justice then,
with the terrible consequences following, warns
Us that the failure to execute Justice may
sometimes involve whole nation in calamity.
We should not however lose sight of The fact
that then the traitors and the exciting cause Of
treason were spared Now the cause has been
abolished. No one doubts but that slavery
has been the great primary cause OF the slave
holders rebellion. Slavery like rose cancer
seated upon vital part, was fast destroying
the life of the nation. Rebellion brought this
cancer to head, and discovered its deadly
virus The csusiic and knife of war have
been well applied. and there remain but few
roots in Kentucky which have not been ex
tracted. Now great gaping wound of up
wards of one Thousand miles square invites the
healing balsam of justice, in kindness admins
tered with the greatest amount of mercy con-
sistent with the public safety. We need Gods
assistance TO enable US to repair this breach
and restore the paths of liberty :" to dwell in."
Great as may be the responsibility resting
upon any one man, We may all bear 40 honor
able part in this work. We are surrounded
BY people in this State whose birth and edn
cation are such as to naturally lead them to
sympathize with their own people IL rebellion.
Many of them have. yielded only an unwilling
sympathy. Their judgment has been loyal.
In the light of recent events the most of these