Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-11-12
JUDGE SHEFFEY' S CHARGE.

Gentlemen of the Grand Jury
The great current of Providence, on which
men and their affairs are borne along, has
brought us again together; and for few mo-
mentS we may pause to consider the duties OF
the present and to contemplate the reasonable
results if we perform we'll our parts in the great
events transpiring around US. We might well
be pardoned for inquiring, whittier the resist
less tide, to which have referred, is drifting
us-for indulglng in some obstinate question
ings' of our future, and for speculating some
what as to the issues of our disturbed and per-
picking present! Vain however-nay vexa-
tious to our spirits would be such perpexing in
quiries We live at period Of history, when,
literally, no man can tell what "a day may bring
forth Were Washington and Adams. JET
terson and Madison, Clay and Webster, Cal
houn and Douglass-were all the wise and great
men, whose memories we cherish, who once
saw and admired the glory and greatness of our
common country, and who have been gathered
to their fathers permitted to stand In our midst,
this day, their replies to such anxious inquiries,
would tall to satisfy our minds, or to give peace
to our troubled spirits All that they could
say-all that any finite beings could say-would
be this the future is God's; the present
alone is man S Upward, then let our eyes
be turned, as we are driven and whlred rapidly
around but still onward by the strong current,
which threatens to engulph US and let us pray
Him (who rules the world to place at the helm
some Pahnurus-solne pilot, with d clear eye,
steady nerve and a strong arm, to guide us
through the breakers, and once more into the
calm waters which lie beneath the shetering
Rock OF the Constitution 1t may be that that
Pilot viii be vouchsaied unto US 1t may be
that his firm step will ere long be felt upon the
deck OF the Ship of State In the meantime
all tUe say is, that God S hand is not short
ened that 1t cannot save: neither Is His eal
deaf that it cannot hear. We must trust ou1
future to Him and wait till He bid the storm
be still
| AS to one thing, gentlemen, let our faith
never waver: 1t is that chance does not rule the
world that order in fact exists where confusion
seems to reign supreme: that law governs the
Universe, from the mightiest world that rolls
| through the lntinltude OF space to the smalles,
| mote that ftoats IN the sunbeam; that there is
| nothing without purpose-nOthlng without al
| object aud use-no laWess chaos in the Uni
verse of matter-of mind or spirit that con
yuslons in nature, as we'll as in the societies o
men, are but processes Of adjustment, guided
| and controlled by laws which must finally re-
| suit in repose and security! Though society be
shocked to It's centre, though revolutions shake
the pillars of government and threaten the
strong foundation OF law; though passions rage
aid dash hercely against the battements OF The
| Constitution itself: still the word moves on
and Gods unchanglng law governs 1t !-anG
that law-if we believe the Blble-is the fna
good OF man l4et US stand irni in this faltf
and confidence, with the cheering assurance
that NO nan or people ever yet put full trust il
God, who did not stand on foundation strons
as the Rock Of Ages!