Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-06-07
ANSWER IN REFERENcE 70 THE CHURCH
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ANSWER IN REFERENCE TO The CHURCH
IN THE SOUTH. 's .'l ""d Sr#
The proclamation has called us together,
to acknowledge God, as tho author Of our
blessings. Il is in our State an acknov-
Judgement that the Christian religion Is
divlne. The church is the depository Of
the truths Of Christianity. In reference to
the Southern church, watchman, what Of
tho night? 1'@ -
Zion has passed through one of the most
fiery trials she has ever had to encounter
Il appears to have been sitting process,
the wheat winnowed from tho ohaff The
church is thought by some to be 10 a very
low cbb. Perhaps il is so. In all proba-
bility it is true. Still, it may be, that she
is parer now than ever before. Having
thrown off, during tho last decade of years,
from tho body ecclesastio, many impure
associations, aud hypoori.ioal preteusions,
the church exerts moro hallowcd influence
to day than previously. The church has
many difficulties with which to couteud-.
the want of interest many feel, in her
onward progress-the deaf car that many
turn to her voice of wsrning-the cold
indifference which is felt by the faithful
few-thc uplifted weapon to crush out her
life giving Influences; all lead US to suppose
that it is still dark, dark night If tho
the church were only in the vale Of humii.
alton, we might expect her God would exalt
her. If she were simply confessng her
sins, we might expect to SEQ her soon clad
10 the garments of salvation. But shc is
encountering the gloom of affliotion to test
her confidence in hor Redcemer. She il
feeling tho whitening touoh of the hypocri-
~ Of her false friends to realize that she is
in the world among sinners. Though Gods
fsithful people. from, one end of this South.
ern church to tho other, arc looking to her
watchmen on her high towers, and inquriug,
watchman, what of the night? neverthe-
less, the comforting answer is heard, the
morning cometh.
What ure tho signs Of tho coming morn?
Are there any stars approaching, indicating
the coming dayY The religious feeling now
being developed in the Southern church.
the increasing care of the church for it's
purity--tle withdrawal of the devoted from
the dcmoralizing Tenderness of tho age-the
increased attendance upon the ordinances of
the church--the revivals of religion bring
ing sinners into communicn with Jesus-
the deep interest felt in tho Sabbath schools
tho brothcrly love among the menlbers of
the difforcut churches, and tho heavcnw ward
tendencies Of tho Young Mems Christian
Association, are go many stars ushering in
tue coming of the glorious day. or indica.
ting the pussing away of q durk night.
Havo we no reason to DO thankful If
we had no other reason, this is sufficient to
call this people together, one day iu the
year, uuitedly to offer the sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving to Him, who has thus
bestowed on US the richest blessings. A,he.
ism and infdelity will receive shock,
from which it will never recover. The
blightng influence of moral evil will pale
before the cffulgent beams of Christianity.
The institutions of religion will be lifted up
and speak as they never spoke before. The
church will move on 10 her majesty prcpar.
ing herself for the wedding day. The
history of the world shows that all groat
revolutions are grievcus to bear, and crush
ing in their results; but it also reveals tho
truth, that the church has not only with
stood the tide Of destruction, but arose
gloriously over it's desolations. We NAV
now confidently hope, since the storm of
OWL war is over, and the tide of political
corruption checked, that the church will
arise in her grandeur, and move on in her
mission.
It will bo glorious day, when salvation
shall be preached from every pulpit, in our
Southern land; when every church shall be
filled with pious worshippors; when tho song
Of praise shall ascend through tho length
and breadth of the land, as Sabbath after
Sabbath comes and departs. II will never
leave thee nor forsako thee," is the CHEERING
declaration Of tho Scriptures; and tho "eates
of hell' shall not prevail against Gods
church, is the promise Of her Redecmer
Let us ley firm hold of these promises
They will comfort our hearts, during the
dark nights Of trial, they will prepare US
for tie coming day, they will enable us to
rejoice in anticipation of the time, when tho
church will exert her influence over the
hearts Of the people.
Members Of the church! You, who have
confidence 10 Christianity Stand ready at
your posts! hlovo on the Gospel car!
Watch the various stars that precede tho
Son Of Rightcousncssl Catch the first
bright gl;mmcrings Of the coming day! For
be assured the morning comoth, and when
tho Spirit Of God shall move upon thcso
troubled waters, he will usher in this glori-
Gus, longiexpeoted day.
The night also cometh. Dark night to
the enemies Of the church and her Saviour.
"Tribuiatioh and anguish upon every soul
that believes not ID the lord j esus Christ"
Tue avarfcious, the hypoorite, the fanatic,
the deluded, the bigot, the pretender, and
all the wicked will quail 10 tho burning
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