Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-08-05

u not Al the absolute ice of entire unbelief
IL was the master mind of the eloauen
Bossuet who powerfully touched thi
chord, disSuadiBg a doubter wandering il
uncertain paths from leaving the only per
| manent standard of faith. Aud his arpu
ment remains to this day the most dexte
foas and persuasive of all resorted to b,
his school. 1t cannot be disputed that ov
er millions OF the race who cling TO sup
port from higher power against III,
promptinss OF tender conscience and the
lear OF the torments OF the damned tn,
iorce of an authority to relieve, sustaiuet
py the mos; elective appeals TO the imag
ination, becomes positive absolute
Again this powerful array drawn up tc
catch the common mind, what has been re-
lied upon as effective TO stay the conscience
aud quiet the terrors OF my riads of earnest
yet anxious dssidents? The chief resourc,
has been calm appeals to naked reason
maintained by partisan arguments. For q
while this proved strong enough to hold
many generations in their places, excel.
ent people as ever lived. stern and jealous
uphoiders OF what to them appeared as SOL
| emn gospel truth. So long AS the spirit of
controversy was kept alive. no matter In
| what direction, against Rome abroad or
b'ackslider, at home, there was little dan.
ger OF decay. 1t Ia peace and harmony
that have bred Indifference and desertion.
Indifference tolei ated the introduction of
doubt and uncertainty. Then followed the
uesertion OF churches not provided with
especial OBJECTS OF attraction. either lmpos.
| ing ceremonies or preachers seducttye
whether by true dramatical accomplish
ments OF their startlin. extravaganza On
the one hand appeared mutitudes crowd.
| Ing toward lame limitations OF the splendor
OF Roman ritualism, and on the other eag-
/ er devotes TO the fantastic sentimental
Ism oil dancing masters in the pulpit. Then
too, the ice bound scoffer had the Courage
10 make himself seen, and 10 pretend that
ne who saw NO future at all was the wisest
OF the prophets.
fREsH CLASS or CLERGY NEEDED.
The remedy for these dangerous tenden-
cies, the speaker thought must be found In
our institutions OF learning. We mil ht
raise ur fresh clergy thoroughly fitted tor
the precise conflict 10 which they are cali
ed have reasons TO believe that the
study OF the arts, which made an Impress
I've aud Jealous orator, have By some ex-
cellent people been regarded a. utterly in
consistent with the character Of grave
aud pious preacher of the Gospel. Il is the
doctrine, only, which u essential The
manner of communication may be as il
f'Ne'N1 'PAs a bt consequence OF ttii- sort
OF reasoning has been the production of
many very worthy men as teachers. who
never studied At all the modes OF attracting
the attention OF their hearers, aud who nat
uralIy leit the experiment to take care OF IT,
sell. What was the result? Gradual but
silent secession, either 10 cherish indiflrr-
ehce al nome, or else 10 20 10 more stimu-
lating. If not 50 estimable, preachers.
In my humble opinion there never was
fairer field OF action 10 animate and con-
hrm the shlyering confidence Of thousands
IN the pure doctrines OF the Savior. than
at this moment Is presented in these United
States. There Is great need of n revival.
and of successors even To such As White
field and Wesley to bring it about. am
an earnest advocate of a special school Of
instruction directed to this eud alone.
want 40 sytTavaVant,.. aud still l,.ss th.
the lofty consciousness of power skilIiuily
devoted TO the penetration into the inner
most recesses OF the mind and the conhr-
nation OF the reason, and deep well OF
sympathy from which 10 heal the soreness,
OF every faltefln. heart.
CONCLUSION.
My young friends. have thus labored
In my feeble way 70 place before you the
view which honestly entertain OF the OBJ
legations OF the hour, imposed upon the
American Institutions for advanced instruc-
ton, In connection with peculiar portions
of their duty. l am myself the more i'm
rortance that think see another and a
different era approaching IN our National
history. 1t no longer presents the image
OF 4 fresh bud; rather VIII Il be that OF a
full flower. IL | do not greatly err, the
fearful events OF the last few years, instead
or lmpairing the integral elements OF the
state, have swept away. with fiery bosom.
all those which threatened its solidity.
The wondrous engines of power. conttiyed
as II on purpose to overcome our greatest
obstacles Of space and time, are knitting
bonds OF interest a thousand-fold more du-
rable than the metal of which they are
composed. What a majestic theatre IS is
ing before my vision as | think OF A
theatre upou which every gifted citizen, ii
truly inspired by the highest virtues i'm
planted in humanity, may. in hi- bret ca
reer, help to confirm the noble proph.-
~ of Union and independence forever
held out BY the grand oracles ut our early
times. In contrast 10 this magnificent pct-
ure, how triiiing appear The nOblest a>pira-
tions of the statesman of the past. Tney do
indeed yet speak from their graves, in fun
warning OF some OF the dangers that may
yet cross our path. Let their lessons of eX-
perience come IN aid oil the herois sm OF the
hour. There Is not youth in the hearing
of my voice at this moment who, If he pos
sess the requisite happy qualifications, may
not contribute more directly to the destiny
OF America than did all its noblest orators
upon that of either Greece or Rome. Shall
tde patriots. the holy teachers, the learned
jurists, the inspired bards. proved them
selves equal 10 tthe commanding station
which il may be the will of Heaven to SUM
mon them to assume?
trust that under the guidance of Divine
Providence, by the Jealous cooperation of
the noble institution which are infusing the
true spirit OF honor, of justice, and OF pa
triotism among The ever growing millions
OF the yet youthful community, the day
may yet arrive whoH ,hc claim so rashly
and preG3aiurely made at the outset of our
career, may be ultimately confirmed by the
| spontaneous and according voices. not OF
ourselves. bat of all interior nations. Then
! indeed. would We acclaim, but modestly
accept. their voluntary testimony that we
were indeed, at last. deserving to be call
ed 1.-THE most enlightened nation in the
world
Martin.
BY SUSAN COOLIDGE.