Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-12-07
Whole No. 2827.


direction and in every part Of the
world according to ths ability Of the
whole people but It il imbued with
another quality, which until quite re- :
Gently has been almost an American
peculiarly (; that Is, the freouent and
powerful reyivals with which it has
been favored. These agitations Of our
religious fountains have served 70
keep the waters themselves pure,
while they have furnished to multi
tudes the most favorable opportunities
for testing their healing power. These
revivals, taken in connection with
the freedom of our churches already
named, have suggested and developed
the most practical methods Of bring
ing the gospel 20 bear upon the minds
Of the masses Of the people. They
have preserved from any undue ten
deney to stiff, unyielding routine,
and have impaired an elasticity and
pliancy to our modes Of worship, and
to our methods Of preaching, wisely
adapted to times, places, peoples, and
to the ever varying prOvidenees Of
God. In this way there has grown
up an ecclesiastical drill, which, for
its speed, its adaptation, and its eff
cheney Of action, may be called the
ZOuave Of the churches. It becomes
''all things to all Ien, that Il may b
all means save some" Christ and
victory, is its battle cry. Jesus for
all the world and all the world for
Jesus its mOtO. Nor is il content
long 10 remain quiet or inactive
while there Is 50 much land to be pos
sessed, so many eOnquests to be made,
50 many enemies to be subdued. In
all this there is a direct moral and re-
ligiOus power preparing the pOssessOr
for the work Of doing good in the
most efficient manner, wherever there
is good to be done. These facts, there
fore, that as q people, we are distingu-
ished for our religious and ecciesia5t1-
cal freedom, and for the frequency,
universally and purity Of our revi-
Yals, give us an influence abroad not
equalled by any other christian ma
ton. Evidently then God viii hold
US responsible for a faithful use Of
this means also, even in its brOadest
sense. Having clothed Us with this
power Of doing good, He bids US con-
slider the world as our field, and go
forth and preach the truth to every
nation, kindred, tongue and people.
And, my hearer, inasmueh as we are
individual parts Of this great eonsd-
tuancy, il becomes our individual
duty 70 engage heartily a this no
blest and most glorious work, not only
abroad, but also right here at home
Hence our Republican Institutions,
and our distance and freedom rom
the old governments of the world
the asylum which we furnish to the
poor and oppressed Of the whole
earth; the democratic quality of our
social relations; the educational fac
ilities enjoyed by llOur people, and the
enlightened character which results
I therefrOm; the commercial enter
prise, and the inventive, practical
spirit of our people; and those adyan-
I tages which result from our religious
I freedom and numerous revivals, all
Z combine to show clearly enough that
we, above all nations, enjoy the means
Z Of being world-benefactOrs- And hav-
! ing the means, we are sacredly bound
/ 10 use them for this purpose. "FOT
unto whOmsOever much Is given, OF
/ him shall be much required
In view of such facts, how high !
{ how noble; how glorious appears the
( vocation Wherewith God has called
Us. As nation our mission Is to bless
the world. As q nation we are to &c
( before the other nations preaching
and practicing the highest forms OF
enlightened civilization and christi
anity. This solemn duty is laid upon
US By divine hand, and we may not
! NEGLECT il and be innocent.
But il this be so, with what jealous
! care should We watch over and pre-
serve these diyinely intrusted talents.
/ With what righteous indignation
with what holy violence should we
resist any and all attempts to plundeI
or destroy these talents or any one OF
them whether those attempts come
I from hostile political governments, OF
from corrupt and hostile forms Of re-
ligiOn, or from the despisers of all re-
I ligion. And since our Republican In
I stftutiOns; our free schools and cole
ges; our free eeelesiastieism, and OuI
( pure Christianity, are the Alma Ma
ter OF a worlds blessing, palsied be
every arm raised to demOlish them;
/ and dumb be every tongue used to de
fame them; but blessed, thrice blessed
be al who uphold and defend them.
And so we will hold on to these price
! less talents, with a purpose born Of q
/ benevOlenee broad as the world, not
yielding to enemies, abroad or at
Z home, one iota thereof. And while
we devoutly thank God for them, we
viii, by noble, generous use Of them
( and by a sacred regard TO truth, jus
tice and righteousness, 50 essential K
the welfare and perpetuity ofour Owl
nation, strive to Increase these talents
\ and so be ready for the blessing ofth'
4 Master when we are summoned tC
give up our account, remembering
that unto whomsoever much Is given
Of him shall be much required.