Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-06-05
APPEAL CONTINUEDl

The age in which we live is the pro-
gressive age of Christian Civilization,
and moral reform: aud indeed the his
tory of the world is gradually loseing
itself in the history OF the church. The
! great revolutions that are occurring,
and the great political and ecclesiastical
changes that are taking place among
the nations, are immediate results Of the
power of Christianity: Christianity has
had her triumphs, and defeats. During
the dark ages, she was known by the
letter, but in spirit she was almost dead.
''Her mild sceptor became . rod OF iron
in the hands of proud, unprincipled,
and merciless ecclesiastical, and civil
rulers who made knowledge contraband
and the right Of conscience q crime,
punishable with DEATH" But those
dark days of persecution and death have
been preparing her for more success
full encounter with spiritual wickedness
in high places, and the most glorious
triumphs over sin. Her grandest mis-
sion yet to be accomplished is among
Pagan, and Anti-christian Nations,
though she may not appear equal to the
emergency, yet ere long she will scat
ter their forces and wither their
strength. To the casual observer il 10
indeed perplexing question, whether
the world is advancing in virtue, or re-
trograding in vice-whetLer christian
ty or in6delity maintain the strongest
hold upon men. It appears to him as If
Infdelity, like wild deluge, is sweep
ing away every vestage Of truth, and in
its prevalence it must necessarily sub
vek every principle antagonistic to it.
self
He should not forget but even keep
in mind the Hero of Calvary, whose
deeds are chronicled upon the pages Of
inspiration, to be read with transports
of Joy, even with wonder and delight,
by unborn OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES con-
quests were achieved by love, whose
regal and kingly dignity are yet to be
acknowledged by the nations, and whose
proclamation of universal peace is 10
destroy every element Of strife, and
unite in one "golden bond of brother
hood all the inhabitants Of the redeem
ed, emancipated earth!" Infdelity 10
waning before his dazzling splendor, its
naughty, bold, and reckless champions
wither at his presence, and assume
loathesome, and abhorrent mien; its ex-
ecrable, and depraved Disciples, mon
sters of society, whose very breath
pollutes the atmosphere Of society, and
fill it with contageon, who have crimson
ed the earth with human blood, and
caused 1t to echo with groans wrung
from hearts which violence has pierced,
arc Gsmayed; its gallant men, unawed
by the frowns OF heaven, and the right
eous Indignation of Saints, who are to
Judge them, stand. forth i'm the halls Of
legislation, and recommission the dread
est of all earthly Kings "Alcohol,' aud
arm him with renewed power to coli
tinue by brute force the war Of exter-
mination among the nations; they them
selves become ''counsellors, and perpe-
traitors OF now licensed murder" The
pathway of Infdelity is marked with
moral desolation and ruin-its blighting
whitening curse has rested upon every
generation-and its impious arm has
been uphfted to strike down the most
cherished monument Of Gods love and
power in our world, bis Kingdom he
has set up, for which be has paid
price Of eternal value. Its power has
only been made known in propagating
principles by which many sons have
become profigates, and many daughters
ruined. Infidelity has never bequeathed
to posterity q single moral sentiment or
principle by which the world has been
made better, the very names OF its I'D
herents have been q stentch 10 the nos
trils OF their generations, and their
memories left to rot. The most beft-
ting epitaph to inscribe ON the tomb
stone Of the infidel il "Here lies the
enemy Of God and man."
In6delity has not only proclaimed
"Bacchus" God, but also King, and it
has placed him amid the acclamations
OF depraved populace upon throne
of power Multitudes have not only
worshipped st his shrine, offering - .
sacrafice the vigor ofyouih, the strength
of manhood, ss well a. every moral
principle; but they have, in dung hon.
age to their God of wine, attained
(many Of them) TO . rare eminsuce %
depraved men; Drunkards, Gambler,
Libertinesl They find themselves now
the subjects Of an aboolute monarch
Despot; their King formidable foe.
who rules with beatless intolerance
among the nations. His brow has been
bound with laurel stepped iu human
blood-his trophies have been gathered
amid breaking hearts, and desolats
homes, and murdered victims-bis sub
jects trained up In the schools Of hilar-
ity and mirth, Of Incidence aud passion,
of crime and pro6igsey, 90 out loaded
with the execratioDs OF their fellow men,
and unblushingly violsts the most sacred
obligations, and cut ssunder the dearest
ties.
Universal justice--tbs love Of your
neighbor and feelings of humanity de-
mand that we proclaim our deep, sol-
emn, irreconcilsble hatred TO this ctsss
Of intempersDce which ID the cause of
In6delity.
at has torn the green wreath from the
brow Of the brave
And changed his proud heart to the
heart Of slave,