The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-03-29
Lecture by Rev D. W. FISHER. Formerly Of
" wheeling.

wheeling.
Madison lInd.) Star OtthS 18th.
DR.. Fisher, Of the Second Presbyleri-
an Church. Sunday night, preached a
sermon Of remarkable power; one Of
the most ringing and vigorous sermons
It has ever been our province to listen
to. He selected for his text the sd
Psalm, 1875, blessed is the Nation, whose
God Is the Lord" He began by few
PREDATORY remarks, setting forth his views
pretty clearly, and stated that the theme
had been suggested by an accidental re-
mark in sermon u few Sabbaths ago, and
made the basis OF an article In the press
ian editorialin The Starr. He mAdeit pref
~ clear to his hearers that this IL Chris
tan Nation, practically II not theoretical.
~, taking for his argument this idea: a
Nation I've don't quote literally, but lib.
erally,) is composed OF the individuals,
the people; that is, the people are the
Nation, and as the religious life and char.
acter OF the people, SO Is Its character
rated. This was elaborated and illustrated
by example and argument.
lie dwelt with great emphasis on the
fact that this was founded us Christian
Nation by our forelathers using the Bible
az their light and corner stone; that the
declaration OF Independence distinctly
recognizes God, and although the Constitu.
ton avoided all mention OF his name
which the speaker deplored and argued
against, yet admitted that II might not now
be practicable to revise that-.yetthere stood
the fundamental law that oil officers should
subscribe to an oath, in itself recognition
OF God as the deity. The church was an
Independent institution, coordinate with
the State, equal with il, and in no way
subject to it, but rather a help.meet for IL;
that without the church the State could
not exist, and that the church was entitled
in return TO its protection and encourage.
ment.
The doctor took occasion to make one OF
the Clearest and strongest possible argu.
ments for the use Of the Bible rs text
book in all public schools and institutions
under control OF the State, leaving It's re.
ligious character out OF the question al.
together. lie denounced in unmeasured
terms the expediency laws OF recent enact.
ment, granting privileges Of Sabbath
dissertation declared as null and void, in
the sight OF heaven, the infamous divorce
laws plotting the statute books and pol.
luting society with their baneful inilu.
ences; spoke OF party in the country
who desired TO eliminate all reference to
God from the statute books, to do
away with the Sabbath, and all days
1of National fast and thanksgiving, thus
lapsing into infdelity and Atheism. lie
claimed that such question submitted to
the people would meet with swift and Ger.
tain rebuke, thus establishing what is
clear to his mind, that this is Christian
Nation. Though we have many sins to
atone for; not the least OF these, or rather
the fundamental cause for many Of these,
is our failure 10 recognize God in the Con.
stitution. Blessed is the Nation whose
God is the Lord" The Doctor was on fire
with his text, and rang it out with such
bell like distinctness, that his meaning
was as clear Us its declaration.
We owe much to DR.. Fisher for the clear.
ing away OF many dark places in our mind,
Especially on the use OF the Bible in pub.
lie schools. We have always felt con.
scientiously that it should be there, vet
could not find the arguments that would
sustain our position without Il seCtariau
fight, which we did not desire, nor believe
in; now it's as simple as a, b, c.
4 There was evident sensation in the aud.
icnre when he said that il the State passed
laws which were contrary 10 the laws OF
Divine revelation, it was the Christians
duty to submit at least TO the penalty, and
when submission was no longer 10 be
borne there came n time when such laws
should be met with resistance!
The audience was very large one, com.
posed Of our best citizens, and it received
DR.. Fishers remarks with the keencst in.
terest. The service was closed with the
singing OF the National Hymn to the
familiar tuneof America, in the singing Of
which nearly every voice in the audience
heartily joined; the congregation stand.
ing. The effect was one OF moral and pa.
triotC enthusiasm.