Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-12-09

the votes Of the order-loving patriot 4
man ought never TO be too religious or
moral in that sense that he may not do
his duty az the cornerstone of political
privilege, the ballot-boN, selecting men
OF good principles and supporting them
IN Divine fear. The present system Of
primary meetings and machine poll
ties, by which patronage and spells
swallow up purity and good; which ne
cessitates professional politicians who
must live by their trade; which will
tolerate no man Of independence and
truth, no man who fears God. no man
who will speak and act against the tyr.
amy of the liquor interest and other
kindred combinations -this system
which is tilling the land with its deadly
bane can never be grappled with and
permanently overthrown until our vir-
tuous citizens, ballot in hand, shall in
sist on change. Never since the foun-
dation of the Republic have the times
been more mournful with this mighty
truth than to-day. Men in the light
lately conferred ON it begin TO see that
all great interests hinge on its solu-
ton. The relations OF capital and la
Dor the public school as the fountain
of intelligence and free thought for the
people--the sabbath question the tenn
perancc question, all hinge here. More
than once in late years the bonds of the
Commonwealth have been strained Sc
yerely by this monster evil which so
demands quick and mighty effort for its
eXtirpation.
3. These are a few of the many
thoughts crowding on the mind. which,
| trust, VIII help make this ThanksgIy-
ing Day what il was intended to be by
Il4,tinf Dsttgts -, al
tuition for His people, time not only
of gladness hut of personal and nations
al benefit.
We have the spirit of hope n to the
future. Although it is Well thus to
guard against danger by attention to
these things, come with no prophecy
of evil. Christianity is taking deep
hold on our people. II Is the sufficient
basis of permanency for our Republic.
Purity in private life is on the increase.
Reverence for Divine truth and Divine
institutions is not declining. The out
look il not dark.
And now, ms the roll Of the seasons
has brought us again To this day Of
gratitude let our hearts ascend With
reverence to the Giver of every good
and perfect gift for the goodness which
has crowned the year.
IL has been filled with great general
and business and commercial prosper
ity. In all sections OF the land I'M
mensc harvests have made man and
beast glad, driving away the fears
which gathered and the shadows which
darkened the homes of multitudes be-
cause of the partial drought of the for
mer year. our people through the en-
tire land are enjoying that blessing
which cannot be 0verestimated. steady
work AT living rates, 10 an extent un-
for many years. Floods and
pestilence have dcsolated no consider
able portion of our domain. The SYM
pathy and aid which 50 enlarged the
hearts of our people because of the
flames and plague of the year before
have not ceased TO refine and elevate
aud bind together the sections. The
Church of Christ has been striding for
ward in our own borders. She has been
cheered by the joyful tidings of contin-
ued heather conquest. The advance
made by the best and most learned men
Of the churches, after years of sacred
labor, toward Il more perfect rendering
Of Gods holy word, has resulted in an
almost universal examination Of the
same. This has given Divine truth an
hold on mems minds. In our
persons and families we have been
blessed. If sorrow has come to our
homes and the nation, rs dear ones
have been stricken, with poets and
statesmen and diyines, it has not come
alone As they have fallen like that
''ChrysostOm ofthe church" over whom
our hearts yet bleed, Thomas Guard,
who belonged not so much TO my own
as TO the universal
Church of Christ Gods angels of light |
and blessing have come 10 cheer. Our |
churches have not been without steady |
Increase i'm piety and baptism Of the |
Divine Spirit which have made many |
souls rejoice i'm the salvation of God. |
In all this, God hath not left Himself |
without witness that He hath done good |
and hath given from Heaven rains and |
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with |
food and gladness.'
A year ago as we tried 10 draw near |
10 God with gratitude, il was with |
pleading hearts, that God |
would bring blessing out of apparent |
evil. There were great shadows on eV- |
cry soul We came with more pro- |
'Ound and silent reverence than for |
many, many ThanLsgiyings. some |
What as the High Priest when about to |
enter the Most Holy place TWAS inn |
possible TO keep out OF mind the seem |
NC untimely loss Of Him who had been |
chosen by The people to be their PILOT |
through the years now passing. We |
sill ever look hack among the years |
ind behold 1881 standing ont as Sinai |
stands among the great mountains. |
lie was so princely. SO fun Of prom |
SCI so true to nature and goodness! |
4 m0st the ideal mani The ideal |
No wonder the nation, like |
Rachel. refused 10 be comtorted. DO |
You recall that then from every sacred |
Iesk YOU were eNhorted not TO let the
iad event come TO your feast as the
skeleton came to the ieasts 0fthe Egyp-
iansy You were told that the Genius
# Christianity should change the sllel-
ton to an angel. How true were those
words. The shadow has already un-
olded a brighter glory than in our ter
or we dared hope
our glorious institutions bore well
he strain. II is seen now that the
lonor Of the fallen leader is securel
lis glory immortal. His maus0leun,