The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-01

our creed OF faith, located our places of
worship, required by legislative enact
ment our attendance, and compelled
our support; or if we were just rising
from the ruins of government
whose rulers had been forced upon
us without our consent, should we not
prize with higher value the religious
and civil freedom which we now enjoy?
God has sometimes corrected one evil
by intticting another. He made Assvria
the roo OF his anger in correcting Is
rael. When the spirit of religious big
otry and persecution was working
much evil in the American colonies,
being interviewer with their State pol
icy, and was likely in its course to in
crease still the mischief, God checked
its progress, in his providence, by let
ting the oppressive weight of British
tyranny bear heavily upon the people,
which reused the spirit of inquiry
among the colOnists that led to the
declaration of Independence.
Nothing was more natural, when
they had arrived at the conclusion that
all men possessed certain "inalienable
rights" and that these colonies had
right to adopt their own political gov
ernment, than for them to see and feel
that they had right, and an equal
right to choose their own religion; and
to enjoy it when chosen.
The spirits of Hancock, jefferson,
Adams and others were stirred within
them, and with their contemporaries
champions of liberty, &c.
When, in the course of human events,
men, who have thought only of the
points of difference between them, have
been called to act together for the de-
fence OF their common country, at once
all minor objects are overlooked, all
petty alterations subside and Whatever
is narrow and partizan is swept away
before the deep, broad, powerful tide OF
patriotic feeling. And il is this very
element of American character, con
nected with the redeemiug influences of
Christianity, that gives us ground to
hope for the perpetuation of our civil
and religious liberties.
1t is true that thoughtful and cousid-
crate men have looked with concern
and regret, mingled with fearful fore
bodtug, at the sight of the two great
wings of our Governmeut-the EEecu
tire and the LegiStdtlUe-arrayed against
each other. But if God, in his infinite
mercy, overrule the violence OF party
politicians, we may reasonably expect
at no distant day, such a modification
of existing differences as shall insure n
return to harmony and unity.
II. Another cause of thanksgiving is
found in our abundant harvests. "He
N'4S =" A-SNt'
III. And still another in the spirit of
revivals in our Churches. Long, dark
and dreary had been the night.
Many of the Churches had been
scattered and desolated by the war.
lions watchmen seemed more intent
to hear the result OF the last battle, |
than of the salvation of precious soul.
But now with the return of sweet
peace, have come the refreshing show
ers of grace. God has once more ap-
peared to build up Zion.
The outpouring of the spirit has been
cause of rejoicing and thanksgiving in
all the past history of the Church. II |
Is in accordance with an ancient pre-
dlction: "when God should bring |
back the captivity ofZion, Jacob should |
rejoice and Judah be glad"
'Slng unto the Lord "A newsOng and |
his praise from the end of the earth. |
. Let the Wilderness and the |
cities thereof lift up their voice. The |
villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let !
the Inhabitants of the rock sing, let 1
them shout from the top OF the noun |
talnS; for God hath comfort !
ed his people and will have mercy upon |
his afflicted" ~
Now in this day of merciful visitation |
let the church awake, and come up to |
the help of the Lord against the mighty. |
The thousands of Freedmen are call |
ing for help; let them not call in vain. !
May the past year, with all its hallowed |
remenbrances of blessings to the |
be but the first fruits to the |
general harvest yet to be gathered.