The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-02-08
The Present War--Its Effects.
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We will now notice the influence Of
the wur on the intelligence Of the nu-
,iuu, Formerly four millions, constitut.
| inc , part Of this nation, we're debarred
| by law from all knowledge Of lcttrrs.
science aud literature they might not
learn to read Gods word, designed rs
the rule Of faith and practice for oil
men This war is destined to roll the
dark clouds Of ignorance from the minds
nr these millions, and pour upon them
E,he light Of science and of pure and un.
dcfilei religion, and thus elevate aud
puriry them, and fit them for intelligent
citizens and useful christians. Nor will
its effects he much less marked by the
elevation Of the poor white masses Of the
South; few have been their advantages
for education, intelligence and refine.
mcn,. It has been tho policy and inter
es. O! the wealthy and aristocratic slave
holders to keep them ignorant and de
GRADED. This war once over. there. will
be large infusion Of population from
the free States into the south, attracted
by it's mild climate thousands Of our
soldiers will make tho South their homes:
and free speech, free schools aud free
dom of the press will eulightcn the free
men Of the South, orull classes and coors.
We will mex. glance on the effects Of
war on the morals Of our nation. War
has many dcmoraliziug tendencies; it
will lower the estimate Of many for the
sancii,y Of the Sutbath, the rights Of
property, and the .acredness Of human
life, and in many instances increase pro.
tanit, and intemperance.' The Church
should rally round the cross Of Christ.
and IN the name Of the Lord set up their
banners aud prepare to encounter and
overcome those vices. On the other
hand. the war has not been without its
moraIizimg effects men in high aud low
places. statesmen, generals; soldiers aud
citizens have been led to acknowledge
and udorc Gods special providcnc: in
the government Of our nation as they
have never done before they have seen
God s hand guiding the events that are
making our history, and they acknow,
led-c that he rides on this whirwind and
directs this storm Of wrath. They have
also Secn brought to acknowledge that
Gud; proviienial programme differed
lrou the programme Of all parties, north
and spu,h, aud that the means that men
have, used to extend aud PcrPe'uate
human slavery God has used for its ex.
tirpa;ion. BY this war great change
will be u.ht in the application Of the
rule Of all true morality; whatsoever
&c would that men should do unto you.
do ,c even so to them" Never ngaiu,
80 hope. in any nation claiming to be
christian, will man made 10 God 5 image.
aud redeemed BY Christ's blood, be chat.
telizGd, brutalized and lorded over as
they have been in this nation. In this
rcspec, we look for great Improvement
in ~ morals. =,
Again. this war has, we think. checked
up our covetousncss and greed Of gain.
aud developed higher spirit Of liberal
i,y. The nation has not only given her
sons by millions, but her wealth by
billions. to support the best Government
God srcr gave to man-to render elf.
cicn,:the army and navy. and to supply
the wants Of our soldiers md saiIvrs,
mental. moral and physical. Whether
in the camp, the hospital, or on the weary
march, tie Sanitary aud Christian Com.
missions. and the Freedmens Aid So.
cic,y arc doing glorious work Of faith
and labor Of love so that amid the
ylver, Of war there shines new glory Of
christian morals and civilization. And
even the Church has seemed to catch
this spirit Of liberalisy manifested b. the
natioI IHaud developed by the war, and is
pouring out its treasures in IN extraor'
dinary manner tor the salvation Of the
world. Again, the war hus tuusht sub
mission to rule and discipline, and the
people will come out Of the war with
more correct views Of civil government
of its vast importance to the we'll be-
ins Of society, aud with habits they
would never have had but for the war.