Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-31
FOR THE ABBEvILLE r2ESs.

y
passed somo time since aud which we
trust will be acted upon universal ~
throughout the South. 1t has been
generally considered out of place 10
discuss religious questions in secular
paper, or oven that n Christian minis
tor should mcddle with such matters
as might bo called political. Now,
Mr.. Editor,I 1 agree with tho general
sentiment that when minister be-
comes a politician, according to tho
common acceptation of its tcrm,) and
from selfish motives enters tho arena
of public life, goodbye to his religion
and WOO to his flock. But, my dear
sir, in times like these, whon the
hearts Of his people and Of the entire
South arc bound up in public concerns
and the tyranny of government
presses upon all, the matter is chang
e1, and it, his boundcn duty to car.
ry those matters humbly and prayer
fully to his God, and to eeck comfort
and guidance from tho just Rllcr of
tho universe, for himself first, and then
60 forth to the world and help his
poople by tho light shed upon his own
heart by the Holy Spirit CT God, that
they may know how to walk as
Christians and patriots. 1t is from
feeling of deep sympathy for the op-
l,rcssions Of my countrymcn and from
tho lropo that I may help them to
''car their burdens that now address
5'ou. I need not say 10 you, who arc
Christian, and to others who arc pro.
tessors Of religion that Sin has brought
this trouble upon US. II is enough TO
know that the Ruler Of tho universe
isAlmighty and merciful and loving,
to bc persuaded that uc would not
willingly affl;ct tho creatures OF His
own hand; therefore, when oppression
and tyranny reign supreme, and we
are weighed down with cares as a
nation, it behoovos US carefully TO en-
Guire what it is that has provoked
tho wrath Of Being who reveals;
himself TO us under the cndcaiing
names of "Lovo," "Morcy," Light"
SC, sc. Recall any of our public
meetings, my dear sir, somo eight or
ten years ago, and remember how VIC
vaunted ourselves before the world.
"South Carolina was lauded to tho
skies and we really talked as though
we were the first people IN the world !
And now, what is more contemplate
than pride in nation, or must bo
moro hateful to God? 1t was cur.
rently believed by tho mass of tho
men in tho two regiments which wore
first camped upon the banks of tho
Potomac, that if the order was given
they would march through tho entire
North and conquer tho country !! !
We boasted that wo could whip tho
Yankees-that they would not fight,
&c., &c. Let us koop this in mind and
ever avoid tho sin again. But TO any
man who reflects at all, it is apparent
that cur chief national sins werc
connected with slavery. And now
before enter upon discussion Of
what believe to be our sins on thie
point will soy omphaticaIly that /
believed and still believe that slavery
is of Divine appointment and that the
Word of God, from Genesis. to the
Revelations, treats it as an establish
ed theory aud lays down laws to
guide master and servant. Our Leg.
islators had planted themselves upon
this graubdA-our divines had worked
it out and so instructed their flocks-
and upon this platform .we stood
forth TO the world as the champions o.
an institution which the most cnlight
ed nation allowed and denounced
Weil would it have been. for US hac
. we treated. it practically rs divine
institution. Tho Bible doctrine is
that the master is the patriarch Of hi
people, Abraham was ordered to cir
cnuicise his male servants, and mos
carefully must he have instructed hi
people, 10 tbe great truths Of Revela
tioh and tho duty Of prayer to God
ss ruler Of the world and also as tn
ordsfef and disposer Of tho concern
Of an ordinary Iifo, as wo judge from
the conduct Of bis old servant. who,
sent to search for wife for his mas:
ter's son, Who has rot been touche,
by the beautifully faithful conduct O
this old man To- the interests of hi
earthly master, while still looking t.
the Ruler Of all things, whom he la,
learned to lore and reverence iron
the: faithfuiness of the patriarch
His being . servant had not hinderc,
his faith in God. Nay, ha had lsarn
ed faith and trust from the @ste
who loved and served God Il sAn'
now, had Christian men, ip thi
Christian country thus treated our in