The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-03-11
ANIALGAMATION.

We live in a progressive age, but whether
our progress is downward, or upward and
onward, admits of grave and serious doubt.
Three years ago the man who would have
been rash enough to even hint at the social
equality of the white and black races in this
country would have been excluded from all
decent society. But now, so rapid has been
our progress under the benignant sway of
radicalism, the advocates Of this internal
doctrine are not only tolerated in respectable
circles, but they have even entrenched them
selves in the pulpit. 1t is wonder to US
that the avenging wrath of Jehovah does
not smite these clerical reformers in their
impious attempts to change and set aside
His wise and saiutary DEGREES.
Mrs Child and Anna Dickinson occupy
the foremost place in this new field of social
reform, while Theodore Tilton, leading
radical, boldly endorses it in the New York
Independent, of which he is editor. A short
time ago he published a sermon on "Ameri-
cas- Past and Future" delivered by man
who disgraces his sacred Office and who has
a local habitation and a name somewhere as
the Rev. Gilbert Haven. The following is
an extract from this sermon, prefaced with
Tilton's remarks endorsing It as ga fne spe-
cimen of the sort of political preaching of
which the people of this country stand in
great need" Can any decent white man or
woman read it without feeling of the most
unutterable loathing and disgust2
The sermon on Americas Past and Flu
ture," by Rev. Gilbert Haven, which fills so
large a portion of our space to day, we very
earnestly commend to the attention Of our
readers. 1t is a fine specimen of the sort of
spolitical preaching" of whichithe people of
this country stand in great need. Mr.. Haven
is one of the most eloquent and powerful
preachers in the Methodist Church and his
fine powers and wide culture are all made
tributary to that Christian Radicalism which
is the glory of the age and the ripest and
best result Of free institutions.
The Reverend gentleman is speaking of
the bright future of America under Grant,
and among its blessings he thinks is to be the
Inauguration Of this greatest Of all Unions,
the union 6etreen the tohite and black races l.:
But equality at the polls is not the only
work laid upon the coming government.
There must be such disposition of its pat
ronage, such steadfast expression Of its
convictions, such an employment of its inhu-
ence, as will tend to the abolition of the
whole mass of prejudice that still sdefles the
national heart. l am aware that this evil
cannot be utterly abolished by any enact
ments. The lsprosy lies deep within. 1t
dwells IN our churches, in our souls, in our
education, in society. 1t still makes US look
at face with repulsion which is of the very
complexion of the mother of our Lord-nay
of the Lord himself. 1t still leads us to
erect barriers between US and our kindred,
and to make US and them talk of "our race''
as if they and we had different parentage,
Savior and eternity. 1t must come to an
end. 1t is coming to an end. This election
is a great advance towards that end. If the
Administration as faithfully adhere to It's
raling idea, and put men, into office every
where without regard to color and with re-
gard only to ca pacity, it will greatly prosper
this reform. Let him make Frederick Doug
lass member of his Cabinet, and the nation
will commend and initiate his courage.
But under it, as well as through it, will the
work go forward. Senator'S and representa-
tiyes will enter Congress of the condemned
hue They have already become Mayors,
Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors
they hold no small influence and Office in
the uplifted South
Yet more our feelings of aversion will
change to feelings of regard. The COM
plexion at which we now profess to revolt we
shall look upon with pleasure. Vice is not
the only thing that is at first hated and
afterward embraced. Virtue is more fre-
quently subject to this experience. It is
very rare that real gift Of God is fallen in
love with at first sight. How few behold in
religion all the charms with which she is
divinely invested. How many turn with dis
gust from her pleading, pleasing counte-
nance. How few are instinctiveiy drawn to |
temperance, to study, to work. The world |
behelds in vice everything charming, in |
virtue everything rspHlsive. But acquaint- /
ance changes this experience. and we cling |
to the good we at 6rst disdaiued. Nay, we |
usually are the more fond in proportion as
we were hostile. 1t is the law of our nature |
that we choose that which we say We will
never nave. 1t you hear person declaring
that he will never be Methodist, be sure