The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-08-08
4 sERMoN ON THE ELECTION.

The congregation worshipping in the Cita-
del Square Raptish Church enjoy the ministra-
tIons OF the Rev. E. T. winkler, D. D., one Of the
most distinguished Baptist divines In the South.
His sermons abound in forcible Illustrations,
deep erudition, and earnest piety, and ne fre.
quently enforces the sacred truth, as his great
Teacher and Master did, by illusions to the
times and circumstances OF his hearers. In his
sermon on Sunday last, he made some pointed
illusions to the exciting scenes through which
we have recently passed. His text was from I'd
Peter, 1st chapter, 10th and 11th verses: "Where-
fore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make
your calling and election sure; for fye do these
things ye shall never fall; for so an entrance
shall be mlnisteret unto you abuudanty into the
everlasting kingdom Of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Chrlst.n
After speaking of the Christian aim, and the
means 10 attain and the motives to pursue II, ne
thus graphically referred to the scenes we nave
just witnessed in this city: "How nucn more
important this election than that when stirred
all Charleston last week, and spotted TIE streets
with blood2 A feverish excitement pervadea tne
community ave saw slern faces around the polls;
peaceabie men hiEtlL to and fro, tne unWonted
arms scarcely hidden on their persons; sney were @
Ike travellers among haunts Of 6andittl. The
fash OF bayonets fell upon the oaHos.oo&es Oh q
free municipality. In our country the govern.
ment Is too often surrender ed 10 Inc caprice Vi
the most ignorant and passionate classes OF tne
community. Hamilton and Jefferson seriously
considered the advantages and disadvantages oe'
longing to the various methods OF popular elec.
ton In such form OF goyernment as ours. II
elections were frequent, they would produce per
petual political agitation. II they were rare tney
might shock and revolutlouizs the Republic oy
sudden change. These great statesmen cnose
what they esteemed the lesser danger, IN
admitting frequent elections. Perhaps tney
certainly proved unfortunate. Politics has be.
come profession to which men OF business, nQe-
raj culture and social position nave rarely aeVos-
ed themselves. 1t Is notorious, ana. we may ado
lament aUle. that many OF our best citizens, under
the present system, habituslly avoid the polls
But now this Indifference was rudeiy oroken, anu
the clustering wind. the thunder and lgntnlng OF
menaces and missiles, the storms anu M Lempesas %
political prescription the long line Of fre stream
Ing through the streets, the savage outcrles OF
thousand throats, the u1provoked and unpunlsn-
ed robberies, burglaries and violence tnat Raae
night horrible proclaimed TO every tnougntlaI u
surrender this fair and glorious metropolis 70
reign of terror 1t seemed then that war OF races
was actually iuaugurated, and now 1t Is no ex-
travagance TO say that me existence o. soeesy mas
Ing that 1t has been saved, TO render oevout
thanksgiving to God. But, o friends, 1elloW-
citizens, o Christians, who were but DAY or tWo
faces the nusii OF excitement has scarcely passed
away as ye gather around your Sabbath altal 8,
what say you OF that other election TO wnlcn our
text refers that most momentous OF all city elec.
tions, that election Of yourselves to ofice In the
Jerusalem that is abovep Who among you VIII
refuse to be candidate for honor, glory and I'm:
mortalItyi Who among you will count hlmseH
unworthy OF everlasting lief Who among you
dlsdains 60 be King in the City OF the Highest,
the Everlasting City2
"soon all earthly interest will cease to effect as.
This home Of our love may perish, and the Dls
toric ruin, guarded so long by the counsels OF
the wise, aud the hearts OF the valiant, may an
swer only to the meanings or the solitary Seas or
the scream OF the sea bird pursuing its prey. Or
II our fondest wishes are realized, the genera.
tlons Of that age.of gold can send no pleasure TO
our unconscious dust, as they march along the
ways Of prosperity and peaceful triumph. There
is only one continuing city, and II We seek our
election there, 1t will In little while confer snch
peace Joy, glory, as we have never known ID Ibis
old City by the Sea.
"a little while, and earth shall pass
Like faint vision from our weary gaze.
And we shall stand upon the sea OF glass.