The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-14


doubtful hours, doubtful parties and en-:
tertainments. Let your motherly and
matronly wisdom shine out in instructive
conversations before the maidens and
girls. Encourage them by your sage
conversation to be resolute. Build up
character in them, stable character that
will throw off all fippancy, coquetting
and superhuity Of naughtiness. Who
but Christian mothers are to illuminate the
parlor with Christian morals ? Who but
they are to shape the tastesof the glrlsan
maidens into solid Christian manners.
Christianity has no quarrel with civiliza.
! ton, Greek, Roman and American. Ithas
no quarrel with long hair or the Plating
of it, none with gold rings or bracelets
except as bold and flashing. But it has
q quarrel with the flashing apparel that
seeks to be seen and admired; with the
high and naughty importance which
makes itself heard through the house
anything and everything which in dress
or manners exceeds settled and prevalent
taste; anything and everything which
takes woman from her natural position
of power and influence and which culti-
Yates virile ambition. Mothers can
control all this by letting their light
shine in the parlor. o! matronly and
wise women you must not, with such
eloquent tongues as you possess, be silent
upon the great subject of reli-
gion. Your power for good is very
great. l am not inviting you to
organize societies for reading and prayer.
These may be we'll enough, provided you
do not allow your individual and personal
responsibility to escape you under the
plea that you are praying. [ am asking
you to let the light of a wise conversa-
ton shine before your daughters and the
daughters of other families. You must
know what they read. You must be
strong enough 10 reject paltry stuff
| from your house. civil communi.
| munication corrupt good manners" Ye
| are Christian women and as such Eye are
the light of the world"
The weight, aud character of men and
women of the next generation must be
very much ACCORDING to your moulding.
If you have taught them only how to
compound a pie or to wear a founce
they will confne their intellects to pies
and founces when you are gone to your
account. Interest the girls in good
works, in charities, in profitable reading,
in timely, seasonable, discreet sociability.
Teach them to dress plainly for the
house of God, to attend daylight meetings
chiefly, to converse with sobriety and as
much as possible upon useful topics.
Much of witticism, of fun of jocularity
] is natural to the young and not to
be frowned down, but much of it
needs the gentle pressure of a
mothers hand. Let your light
shine before men, my brethren, in your
daily intercourse with the world. Not
by dragging up the subject of religion
| into all companies or at any time. All
things have their occasions and opportu.
mites. A little watchfulness, little
anxiety on the great subject will find
it's chance. "And word fitly spoken
how good is it." There sits lawyer at
his desk. He is a Christian man. A
friend or client calls and takes his seat,
suits, trials, deeds, estates, persons and
parties pass under review and are fully
discussed, Christ and his cause are
never once mentioned. There sits q
doctor in his office /; he too is Christian.
Call to see him. With liveliest and even
enthusiasm he will enlighten you on the
human physical economy, on the latest
theories about contagious or miasmatic
disease and with most touching pathos
he will detail the circumstances of some
extraordinary case Of human suffering.
The interview closes pleasantly, politely,
without an allusion to the great subject.
So of the merchant and the man of bust.
ness. Is it right7 Is it right that every.
thing else should interest your thoughts
and feelings but the subjects which relate
to the kingdom of heaven !? Is it right
that Christian men should close their
eyes upon every opportunity for opening
their lips to their fellow men upon the
most momentous themes that can come
before the human mind? Is it right that
o man who processes to believe OH Jesus
Christ for eternal life should make his
religious experiences a profound secret,
and make his religion the matter of a q
secret society? Is it right when God
has made you his moutbpiece and
has asked you to be his witness
bearer before this present evil world
that you should accept the position and
refuse to act under the commission? Is
it right that the friends of God should
stand witness to his name being re.
preached and his cause DETAINED without
opening their lips in its defence? In the
name Of that High Majesty who has ap-
pointed his Gospel to be preached, I ask
what is the meaning of this universal
consent2 Is it timidity? Is it human
contempt? Is it conspiracy? Is there
no light and no love left to cminate from
human hearts, What mears this awful
silence upon earth9 This coldness of
the extremities that drives pulsating
Christianity back to the very citadel of
life for warmth and refuge? What
means this new. atmosphere of choke
dnmp on the streets, the thoroughfares
and quays of human activity where all
the lights of Christianity 60 out? aud
where nc man dares defend God and
religion? The question echoes back,
what means it?
| Ny brethren, leave ChrisCs exborta-
ton with you, Let your light, &c. Light
the lamps Of Christian courage, fidelity
faith and prayer. Let each light up q
lamp, in his own house. Let each build
anew. the affairs that are fallen down.
Let each man set up light on candle
stick in his Office and in his store, the
little earthly beacon and remembrance
of yonder glorious world Of light to which
you are invited to aspire. You have not
turned your back upon heaven and the
everlasting glory. You still hope to t.
meet the Lord in the air. You still
cling by secret hope to the garments OF
the Great Deliverer. Come then and get
a liye coal from Gods altar. O.! come
again to sin forgiying God. Come and
renew the struggle for life everlasting
Come with me and fight the good fight OIL
faith, laying hold of eternal life? But
The fearful soul thst tires and faints,
And walks the way of good no more
| re h,,k p,o1 1olp ipt