The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-09-17
Anoersor1 ynteuigellfer*
SUNDAY READING.
For the anderson hteligencer.

ffOT CilS A7lUSTSOH 4HtotttSoGCefs
~ Mr.. EDITOR: Having~a desire to see "the
work of the Lord prosper in our midst, and
TO see our good people take deeper and llvel'er
interest in the advancement of "Christs king
dom upon the earth," we offer you few
thoughts, hoping some good may be the result
Twelve months ago numbers OF the citizens
of our quiet little town were scorchlng with
fever. and almost daily we were called upon to
nav the last tribute of respect to some dear
friend. who had fallen victim to that disease
which was then so prevalent in our midst, and
convey their bodies to the tomb, and number
them with the pale nations that sleep beneath
the ground. AS we dropped q tear upon the
new raised mound, and bade them sleep until
the morning of the resurrection, we would ask
ourselves the solemn question, who will the
Master call next? The thought would flash
across our minds, may be called next to pass
through "the dark valley of the shadow OF
DEATH" And while impressed with this truth,
did we not promise God, if he would spare our
lives, and permit us to live upon the earth'
that we would be better men and women? bet
ter boys and girls? and that we would devote
our time, talent, and our all to his service
The disease was removed, numbers of oul
friends were restored, who had been near the
gurgling waters of the river of death, our lives
were spared, and we were and still are permit
ted to live upon the earth. To-day the God
of Heaven speaks through the heralds of the
Gross in thunder tones, "pay thy VOWS unto
the Most High" And yet, when we look
around us on the busy scenes Of human LIE,
we can scarcely help concluding that the great
majority of human beings that pass in review
before us, are acting as if the present world
were their everlasting abode, and as If they
had no relation to an invisible state of exis-
tence. To indulge in sensual qualifications, to
acquire wealth and fame, to crafty vanity,
ambition and pride, and endeavor to Danish
every thought of death and eternity from the
mind, appear to be in their view the great and
ultimate ends of existence. This is the case,
not merely of those who openly avow them
selves ssmen of the world" and call in question
the reality of future existence, but also OF
numbers who regularly frequent our worship
ping assemblies, and profess their belief in the
realities of an eternal state. They listen to
the doctrines of eternal life, and of future
punishment, but as soon as they retire from
"the place of the holy" and mingle in the
social circle and the hustle of business, every
impression of invisible realities evanishes from
their minds, as if it had been merely dream
or a, vision of the night. 1t is somewhat
strange that, amidst the never-ceasing changes
which are taking place among the living be-
ings around US, men should so seldom look
beyond the grave to which they are all advanc
ing, and make preparation, and be ready "wher
the Bridegroom cometh." Let us all in view
of Gods mercy in the past, be more earnest
more jealous in his cause; let US work more
faithfully in the Sunday School-which is tc
me the dearest place on notwithstanding the
young and rising generation, who are the hope
of the Church and Country; let us gather up
the budding tendrils of juvenile faith, and
hang them in festoons upon the Cross of Cal
vary, and point them to the Lamb for sinners
slain. Bring them up in 'the way they should
CO." and when the present generation shall
have passed from the stage of action, those who
have been thus trained and tutored will be
prepared to take their place, and being gen.
Grafton ''that fear the Lord" we shall see His
cause prosper in their hands, the wheels Of
Zion will be unclogged, and she shall travail,
sand bring forth sons and daughters to the
honor and glory of God" Intemperance'
which now threatens the destruction of the
country, will be banished from the land, and
We shall be sober, honest, Christian people,
whose God is the Lord"