American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-09-06


adopted system of school excursions at re
which we turn. from the height on
which we to-day stand, and look
over the long gone past i'm wonder
and astOnishment at what has been
effected by the propagation of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Iou understand that [ have not
drawn comparison between hut
man knowledge, so to speak, and
the divine truth-the result of the
operations of the God-spirit upon
the cOnscienceS of men-making the
former the agent of evil, and the
latter, in contradistinctiOn, the
agent of good. That is not the idea;
but would insist, rather, that christ
ianity has assisted humanity in her
attempts toward good-that it has
led literature IN its conflict with ig-
nOrance-that it has aided in all the
magnificent achievements of the
sciences that its genuine votaries
stand not in opposition to music,
Painting aud elOquence.
Under the guidance of christian
subjects. oceans have been naviga-
ted; continents and peoples discov-
dred; wildernesses subdued; colo
MES founded and grown into na~
tons; cities bnil,; commerce estab
liShed among all the inhabitants of
the earth, and steam and electricity
made SubserVIent TO this enlighten
nent. Though this is tue, still
! = I; Of ,,1,y-ci,.ni
StructiOn, difference of education,
and hence a difference in inclina-
ton and taste which we discover
existing among men, and all of
which, we might conclude, are the
results of the operation of the an
tagOnstic agencies alluded to; we
find to day many who have been
! blessed with the same privileges,
having enjoyed similar advantages,
standing in opposition, one to the
other, as to what is truth relative
to religion.
| do hot aim to make an argu-
ment IN proof of the truth of chris
tiarty-I do not think the occasion
requires it-but please allow me to
direct your attention, at this point.
to practical consideration Of the
subject, and perchance the reflection
NAV be beneficial to some one, and
if so, then 81 shall have been repaid
for the service of this hour" l adj
duce this as incOntrOvertabIe evil
dence of the truth Of revelation,
viz that while the great and learn
ed, by assiduous research for years
IL ,>nn,.l Of rypnof
hoping, then despaiIing of ability
to fathom the depth, and circum
vent the height and length and
breadth of the wonderful plan of re-
dempti0n, thus vascillating, until,
like the humble and untutored, re-
ceive the truth as little children,
they become convinced that thee
Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ''pow>
er of God" Hence the ''plaineSu
arguments and the most incontrO-
-vertable facts only irritate those
whose interests and passions en-
gage them to resist the truth"
Again; returning to the plan OF
these reflections, ! shall not tax
YOUR patience with a rehearsal of
the conuueSts of truth over error
and superstition. ard rice rerSa,
down to the establishment Of the
Heptarchy of + Igland, nor, indeed,
from that period to the beginning
of the Reformation under Luther;
and subsequently,. when the neces>
sites of the people demanded
another religious movement, and in
reply to these mandates, Wesley !
and Whitfield came upon the stage,
mighty advocates of truth. whose
labors extend to us who are here as
sembled to-day. I
One object of history is to furnish
men with guides for future action,
and to aid and support them in the |
performance of to-day. Too many |
of our people live in the past, and !
not a few mount the horse of eX
pectatiOn and ride on the heels of
next week or next year. | do not
know n better incentive to draw
communities together, than the de
sire in the hearts of the people to
protect their families; to defend
their helpless children in times of
trouble. This feeling begS for unan-
unity of entImCnt-clamOfs for
concert of action-aul when dam
gers threaten. we find that the in-
stinct to guard-if you will allow
the eXprcSSion-iS 50 strongly
in human nature, that
prompt action ii adopted TO ward {
off he impending storm, and quick
resolutions formed to conduct the
tender and innocent to ID refuge
strong and ample.
Well, are we surrounded By dan
gers which threaten the peace Of
In the vast disc0n- ,
tcut of our people, are there no
of evil Is there
IA intelligent man or Il refined la
ly, of the whole country, who, to
lay, is .ioyous and happy in antici- ;
patton of a bright and prosperous :
future for his sOn-f0r her dan9ht-
ars Oh, my countrymen what is
.he ills OF to-day? Christians are E.;
citizens of the State, and subjects )