The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-01-22

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world, and who might have been expected tf
show themselves among the excellent OF tn
earth, instead of--shall we say it?-tht
greatest deceivers of the day. 1t is bitter
pill for Scotland to swallow.
The disaster has not been unrelieved by
noble features. The chivalry of the unfor-
tuuate shareholders coming forward brsVely
to face their overwb Ginning obligations, and
ready to surrender their last farthing for
claims for which they were liable at law, has
excited much admiration. From the centre
to the circumference, the heart of the coun.
try has been stirred, and large contributions
have been made for mitigating the disaster
in it's most distressing consequences. Many
an instance of resignation in its most beau
tiful form is known in private circles, and if
in one way the power of religion has been
discredited by the catastrophe, it has been
triumphantly vindicated iu another,-in the
serenity aud peace of mind with which many
Of the sufferere have turned to the enduring
treasures, and found comfort in the un.
changeable love and care tf their Heavenly
Father. The lesson is much needed; the
present life was getting too firm hold on
us, and We have been called with voice of
thunder to think of the unseen and eternal.
"The Pulpit on the Bauk" has naturally
been heard in many quarter, but we are
not sure that it has always spoken wisely
We rather fear that, in some cases, it has
taken wrong view of the moral bearings of
the whole affair. Some have spoken as if the
authors of the fraud had assumed a religious
profession as a cover for villainy, and have
been very eloquent in denounciog such hy-
pocrisy, thereby playing into the hands OF
the world, who are ready enough to ascribe
all earnest religion to that cause. In our
opinion, the real process is less gross but
more dangerous one. 1t is that men of fair
ly upright and possibly Christian character
allow themselves to be entangled in meshes,
and caught in whirlpools from which--once
they are in them--they can no more escape
than LAGOON and his sons could from the
serpents; their consciences being quoted by
the idea of temporary business necessity,
obligiug them to conceal things, and even
grossly to misrepresent them, which, how
ever, they fancy will pass away when better
times come around. Perhaps it also happens
that men of feeble will get dragged at the
chariot wheels of men of iron purpose, and
are in manner forced to do what they
would never dream of by themselves.
1t is appalling to think Of the moral risks
that beaet men in the daily walk of life
We see how it may often be necessary for
common men, with such entanglements before
them, to play the hero in order to escape
horrible complications of wickednesa. What
can enable common men to play the hero ex-
cept Gods grace, teaching them from their
youth up to dread the first sinful step, and to
exercise themselves, like Paul, to have al
ways conscience void of offence toward God
and toward man? Stier, in commenting on
our Lords asking blessing over the loaves
and fishes, remarks on great want in many
great counting-houses, the want of a column
in the ledger for the blessing of God. The
column cannot be spared, as we see full well
to-day. Here is the great lesson for the
Pulpit; let it be urged in every church and
Christian family, not by fits and starts, but
systematically, steadily, constantly; and the
country may yet rise "On stepping. stones of
her dead self to higher things"