Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-08-07
An Address Delivered Before the
Mass Meeting Of the Oconee
County Sunday School Conven-
tion, by VIM. G.. Neville.

County Sunday School Conven-
tion, by VIM. G. Neville.
Mr.. President and Friends of he Sunauy
'Schoot Cause; Perhaps thero never has been
movement in the history of Tho world, with
the exception of the establishment Of tho
church, that has accomplished so many noble
resolutions and good results, us the Sunday
School. Littlo did the founders of this noblo
institution think whom thoy inaugurated it
that it was destined to figure so extensively
in tho history both of church and State. This
mighty agent Inns intcrwoycn itself so strik.
ingy in tho whole texture of ecclesiastical
and political history and prosperity, that TO
extract it would DO canccllipg ono of the most
essential and efficient factors. both Of tho
Church and State, and would necessarily
retard materially thoir advancement in their
grand march to prosperity and success. 1t
is pleasant to-day to meet together and con-
suit on this great and important subject;
subject into which tho angels desire to look,
because it involves the salvation Of immortal
souls. Wo havo mot to-day to participate in
the glorcs and triumphs of the Sunday
crease its power, to elevate tho moral and
religious tonc Of society, and to point out to
tho rising generation somo Of tho rocks and
quick.sands in tho great sea Of life against
which their fathers and mothers hayo too
often wrecked. we hayo met to advance
cause which is dear and sacred to tho heart of
every true and high.mindel individual, q
cause which is fraught with momcntous inter.
ests and eternal dcstnics, cause which
embodics tho very principles Of our sacred
religion md on which, rs the concomitant of
their success, hangs the destiny of tho pcople
of this country, as free, Independent, self
governing and Christian people.
The glories and triumphs Of tho Sunday
School shall be sung and proclaimed as long
as tho banner Of civilization shall be unfurled
among tho nations Of the earth und SO long
us the cifnlgcnt light shall emanato from The
great Sun of Righteousness; for the Sunday
School cmbodics principles Of life and minors
tality, and is not only interminglcd with tho
dearest Interests of the church. against which
the gates of hell shall never prevail; but, rs
We have already intimatod, has entered into
the history Of the nations and is now shaping
their character and destiny. And this to
great extent constitutes their chief glory and
greatness. The glory Of u nation does not
consist in her glittcring arms and well>truincd
solicry; it does not consist in her stores of
wealth md extended fields; but the glory of
country does consist in her churches her
Sunday Schools, and her other moral and
religious instisutions; in short, in hcr
knowledge Of the Lord God Almighty. This
constitutes the strength, the stability, and tho
glory Of nation. The only truo horo Of
any country 10 that her government lie cn.
trusted to those who arc rcligiously educated.
With the exception Of the Christian homc,
there is no better place to obtain this cduca-
ton than in tho Sunday School. The pros
pcrly of Il government if there bc such a
thing. depends and must depend on education
based on tho soundncSs Of virtue and religion.
And in order that tho evils and corruptions
which vice and religious ignorance have
brought upon our country be arrested, and
the desired reformation be accom- plishcd, the
rising generation must be taught the grand
truths Of the Bible, Which aro not only nee
cssary for the salvation Of individual persons,
but arc absolutely necessary for tho salvation
Of q nation.
Not longer than ten days ugo heard Il
man say tho Bible was production Of man.
1t actually mado the cold chills run through
my veins to hear q sensible man, in this
Christian, God-honorcd, and God favored
country, mako such an announcement Is this.
This gentleman is father and is raising a
Tn 1, ri n6; Uh,t L., e
ton is this to impart to the rising generation?
Tho Biblo, q production Of man? Tho great
and solo text book Of the Sunday School n
production of man? That book which is an
incxplicablc mystery to the wiscst and most
profound, production Of man2 That book
which has como down through tho ages in
a perfect halo of glory and bearing on its
every page imprcgnabc proof of its divine
origin, that book Il production Of man? 10
this Christian Assembly and this Christian
country willing to accept and regard the
Bible as q production Of man? l need not
pause (or al answer. What does lie who
says the Bblc is u production of man do?
lie being an incompetent witncss-for he does
not follow the directions Of the Bible and ho
must do this before lie can consistently reject
it as spurious--hc controycrls The unanimous
testimony Of the entire Christian world and
virtually pronounccs them liars llo would
destroy every knowledge of tho future life,
and place us in hcathon doubt uncertainty
and impenctrablo darkness destroying the
foundation upon which millions Of souls arc
to-day securely resting. lie has the pre-
sumption, the audacious presumption, to sit