Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-10-12
ADDRESS
1T Mephsrdsio1rn, Sept. 28, 1867.

FELLOW CITIzENs.-The occasion
which has gathered US here is certainly
one Of rarest occurrence. OF the many
solemniies to be witnessed hereafter up
on these grounds, all Will be OF differ
ent character from this. Even the funer-
al which rends the hearts Of few, leaves
/ the multitude unmoveG.
Bat OF this assembly, if none have
I come as mournerS, none surely have
come as spectators. With few eXcep-
tons, we of the present company expect
/ shortly to be buried here, and we come
( in mass as II were TO enter upon our right
TO resting place in earth Ill earth gives
up her dead.
The scene reminds US Of the custom Of
the churches in Egypt at the beginning
of the plague when il is ioresoen that the
numbers Of the dead will be so great that
all cannot receive the rites OF burial the
whole christian population are assembled
in the churches and the burial service is
read.
Do any ask what mean ye by this SER
vice We reply that while some are so
constituted as not to be impressed by
ceremonies las is occasionally true ofmu-
sic,) yet with The great majority Of man
kind it is different;
They are not only Interested In, but
/ permanently mogsd By rites and ce,emo-
MES suited to ibeir subjects. The NJ
mighty himself takes knowledge of this
quality of cur nature, which is his own
work, and appeals 10 j! as auxiliary 10
the moral sense.
Under the Mosaic Institute suited 10
the earlier ages Of the world and to par
/ ti3l revelation, Tho ceremonies ordained by
God himself were gorgeous 10 The highest
degree. And when At ;bc christian era,
/ having served Iheir purpose and been ab-
rogatcd By the same authority, other cer-
/ emonies were Instituted, few, simple, and
OF gFavesi import, and never to be abIo.
gated to the end of time.
No advancement of knowledge or re-
/ Guement OF tasts, conceivable in the COM
ing ages Of progress, could exempt from
thcr observance, as in truth, no subject
Of the christian religion, however culilva-
led, could fail 10 need their assistance or
to feel 'heir power.
So also Of mankind ; in pursuance Of
divine cxamPle-in al ages ard nations
when entering upon any work Of unusual
solemnlly II has been done with suitable
forms Of inauguraiion-and in wha', with
more propricly, than when q community
takes formal possession of place where
/ from generation 10 generation earth shall
open her bospitablo bosom to embrace
her children.
In entering upon this part CT the service
the question arises, what shall DO the
theme Of discourse; and in view Of the sc.
lection The speaker Gelicilales himself up
on the character of his audience; for after
conscnling to perform ibis service (if none
other could be iound) | turned TO an elab
oratc address delivered by minister Of
religion on similar occasion in the vi
I cnily of great city, hoping to learn
something from it. for the better discharge
of ny own duty, but found 1t series
OF beautiful figures, and OF soothing seni'
mental suggestions, with little or nothing
which might not have been produced bya
cultivated heathenism. The speakers
apology must have been that he spoke 10
a crowd embracing not only the Christian
but the Atheist and the Jew Of whom none
must be offended. From what stand
point then shall we address you Qor 1t
must needs be from some standpoinl;)
shall II be from the standpoint Of DsiSm
or natural religion which acknowledges
God end nothing more with certainty
or frou. that ol SeRiimenialiSm which hes
nothing TO say beyond suudered friend
ships and flowers and tears and ever
geens and mausoeuns, or shall i, be
from the standpoint of Christianity
which grappIes al once the mighty fact
which we have all cot 10 contend with
AS already intimated then the speaker
feliaitaies himself upon an audience
which would not be satisfied with lower
position than this evenIf he could con-
sent to occupy it.
Our theme then is lhis-Ihe UGntGge
ground which ChrisHanity enables cue
ry man here to occupy 1chiie standing
up0n the earth tChicb shall ultimately
bury him.
In the light Of any other religion or OF
none at all, this is the gloomiest spot
which mortal man can view; for we know
that ever and anon it is 10 be approached
by groups Of DlOunerS that it is to be-
come wet with tears and made vocal with
groans. so thatlf we have but the hearts OF
men which can be brought into sympathy
with our own prospective sorrows and
the sorrows of society which are to find
expression here, this place might be rem
deIed to-day like the ,hreshing floor of
Alad
But our theme is the vantage ground
which christianity gives US under cream
stances like these.
Contrast it with heathenism, with Ju-
daism, with urbelief None know better
than unbelef wha; that fear Of death is
which holds the world in bondage. Wha,
are lis supports in prospect Of tha, which