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
nlatronly wisdom shine out ia instructive
conversations before the maidens and
girls. Encourage them by your sage
conversation 70 be resolute. Build up
character in them, stable character that
will throw off all flippancy, coquetting
and superfluity OF naughtiness. Who
but Christian mothers are to illuminate the
parlor with Christian morals7 Who but
they are to shape the taste sof the girls and
maidens into solid Christian manners.
Christianity has no quarrel with civiliza-
1 ton, Greek, Roman and American. 1t has
no quarrel with long haiv or the Plating
OF it, none with gold rings or bracelets
except rs bold and flashing. But it has
O quarrel with the flashing apparel that
seeks to be seen and admired; with the
nigh 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 aud which culti-
Yates viri.e ambition. Mothers can
control all this by letting their light
shine In the parlor. Of 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. 1 am not inviting you to
organize societies for reading and prayer.
These may be well enough, provided you
do not allow your individual and personal
responsibility to escape you under the
plea that you are praying. I am asking
you to let the light Of o wise conversa-
ton shine before your daughters and the
daughters of otber families. You must
know what they read. You must be
strong enough 10 reject paltry stuff
from your house. evil communi-
munication corrupt good Manners" Ye
are Christian women and as such eve 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 pie or to wear founce
they will confine their intellec,s TO pies
and fiounces when you are gone to your
account. Interest the girls in good
works, in charities, in profitable reading,
in timely, seasonablc, discreet socinbility.
Teach them to dress plainly for the
house Of God, to attend duylight meetings
Snieny, W con'Sise Will soDrIety anu aS
much as possible upon useful topics.
Much of witticism, Of fun of iocularity
be frowned down, But much of it
needs the gentle pressure of a
/ mothers hand. Let your light
! shine before men, my fiethren, 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 watchfulaess, little
anxiety on the great subject will find
its chance. "And q 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,
| sn:ts, trials, deeds, estates, persons end
parties pass under review and are fully
discussed. Christ and his cause are
never once mentioned. There sits
doctor in his Office he too Is Christian.
Call to see him. With liveliest and even
enthusiasm he will en!ighten you m the
human physical econooy. Oh the latest
| sheories about contagious or raiasmatic
disease and with most touching pathos
b" will detail the circumstances Of some
| extraordinary case of uuman suffering.
The interview closes pleasantly, politely,
without an allusion to the great subject.
So of the merchant and the man of 5usi-
ness. Is it right? Is it right that every.
thing else should interest your thoughts
snd feelings but the subjects which relate
to the kingdom of heaven2 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 pro ofesses to believe on Jesus
Christ for eternal life should make his
religious experiences profound secret,
and make his religion the matter Of
secret society," Is it right when Ged
has made. yon his mouthPiece 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? Ia
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, ask
what is the meaning of this universal
consent? Is it timidity? Is It human
contempt2 Is it conspiracy7 Is there
no light and no love left to cminate from
human hearts? What nears this awful
silence upon earth2 This coldneas of
the extremities that drives o pulsating
Christianity back to The YeEJ Citadel OF
life for warmth and refuge9 What
means this new, atmosphere of choke
damp on the etreets, the thoroughfares
and qrays of human activity where all
the lights of Christianity 90 QUIT and
where no man dares defend God and
reiigion2 The question echoes back,
what means it?
My brethren, ] leave Christ's exhorta.
sion with you, Let your light, &c. Light
the lamps or Christian courage, fidelity
faith and prayer. Let each light up o
lamp, in his own house. Let each build
anew the affairs that are fallen down.
Let each man set up light on a candle.
| stick in his Office and ia his store, the
little earthly beacon and remembrance
ofyonder 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 10
| meet the Lord in the air. You still
| cling by secret hope to the garments of
the Great Deliverer. Come Then and get
lsgo coal from Gods altar. OF come
again TO q sin forgiying God. Come and
renew the struggle for life everlasting.
Come with me and fight the good fight Of
faith, laying hold of eternal life2 But
The fearful soul that tires and faints,
And walks the way of good no more
ls bi1k eSteap,ad nIrnoat saint