Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-01-09

II
euterprising pioneers know this, and
generally act accordingly Benjamin
Franklin, greatly and justly famed
for his sagacity, said, "lf men are so
wicked with religion, what would
they be without it They need the
motives of religion to restrain them
from vice" Another distinguished
man wrote, "lf there was not a min
lister IN every parish, you would
quickly find cause TO increase the
number of constables; if the churches
were not employed as places to hear
Gods law, there would be need of
them to be prisons for the breakers
OF the laws Of men"
The intellect of the people should
be strengthened by being exercised
one day in the week on the greatest
themes their taste should be refined
by the presentation of whatever is
pure and fair in sanity men, living
and dead, and in him who is the chief
among ten thousand their imagina-
ton should be taught to soar sub
timely beyond the stars, in paradise
OF rapture and song, of grandest
sceneries and glorious achievement.
Order, sobriety, intelligence, refine
ment, purity and piety may then
become the characteristics Of the
community.
Finally, let me say word respect
ing the future. What course of ac-
ton is indicated by this long expert
ence in the past? What purpose
should animate and govern our ac-
tivities ? 1t should be to preach the
same divine Gospel, only more truly
and fully,if it may be. If there is any
system which enunciates facts more
fundamental and important, which
addresses to men more conclusive
reasons and motives for right living,
and which in the history of the world
has eyinced superior power for the
Moderation OF society, tell me what
it is, and where to find it. Let the
Old or the new philosophers exhibit
their entertainments, and behold
-" ASSASA OhOJ Llfhl buO inlTAClt5 anu
wisdom of Moses and Christ.
Christianity sets forth God, the
Almighty Creator, the contemplation
of whose glory kindles and enrap-
lures thought in all ranks of beings;
whose providence, general, special,
benetcent, enfolds universal nature
and all mind. 1t represents the soul
as capable of marvellous unfolding in
the direction of the true and right, of
love and worship,in time and through
the infinite circling ages and also as
liable to utter degradation and ever
lasting enslavement to sin. 1t speaks
OF Christ, who comes in love from the
Fathers bosom to mankind, to re-
claim those who had gone estray, and
could not be recalled by any less
august messenger; who seeks us out
in the city of destruction, and rescues
us, shows US the heavenly path and
lures us into it by all sweet persua-
sion; who stays the hand Of Justice
by interposing his own body, and
then pours out the riches of his for
giveness and love for all who will
accept.
If it be true that there are those
who have not been drawn from evil
to good by these truths and persua.
sions, not even by the supernatural
interposition of God through his d.
vine representative we do still insist
that nothing else is so true and per-
snasive, or has won so many. l
know of nothing better to be done
in the opening of the second quarter
century of my ministry here, than to
preach as clearly as may, this "glo-
rious Gospel of the blessed God"
This, then, would l reiterate, and
with more emphasis than in the past,
that the spiritual realm, which APP
pears so shadowy to some, is morereal
than this material world which looks
so substantial. | would press the
consideration of these great things
upon the attention of men almost
exclusively eDgrossed with outward
objects, as being worry to engage
their best powers. If there be q God,
what Is lie to you and me? Moth
ing, or everything? His fulness can
not be embodied in any conception
OF the mind language is not ade-
quate to set Him forth; the bright
ness Of light, the strength of the
mountains, the broad wealth Of con-
tinents, the wondrous sea, all the
glory of stars and moon and sun are
not fit and worthy illustrations of
God. "Fhe only begotten aon, who
is in the bosom of the Father, he
hath declared him." Friends my
ministry fails unless this supreme
Deity becomes enthroned in your
hearts if you do not revere his AL
mighty power; if you do not adore
his holiness; if you do not accept
his mercy; if you do not render
willing service; if you do not trust
him; if you do not love him. Ny
ministry fails il you are not per-
suaded to revere and obey and trust
and love and follow the Son of God.
My ministry fails unless your con-
science is aroused to proclaim duty
and obligation, and to summon Won
TO it's tribunal to answer for what
YOU have done. Ny ministry fails
II you do not engage in u determined
conflict with sin as being the evil of
evils, more to be dreaded than want
or suffering. Ny ministry fails unless
you have character newly formed
after The model which heaven set be-
fore earth in the person of the Re-
deemer unless the Christ preached
make you Christians by his word
and spirit, his life and death; unless
Christ be formed in you the hope
of glory"
You will not lose sight of the fact. dear
brethren, That the full cooperation Of the
church with the ministry is necessary in order
TO secure the greatly desired fruits of the
Gospel. No person can fail TO afford his share
of aid without inflicting injury and causing
loss. 1t is a mistake for any one 10 think that
his inaction will not,materialy alter the result.
1t must subtract portion from the aggregate
good. Others VIII be likely 10 follow the