Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-20
Mr.. Sweenez,s sermoa.

The reverend gentleman said ii il the Gus
tom to pause at the beginning OF new year and
make retIospection of our lives Ishal extend the
horizon and include the world. 1t is good thing
for people passing the plains OF life TO con-
slider at times whittier their world and nation ana
personal life is tending 1t is equally profitable 10
make retrospection of our past history: This
retrospection and prospection If thoroughly and
faithfully made is the 'sum of the whole matter
1t tells us whence we have come and forecasts the
future, whittier We are going. Our globe with its
hills and valleys. fields and seas, has gron TO its
ike ourselves its years and epoehs OF ad-
vancement. AZoic, Devonian, Repulian and
Mammalian ages are written IN records OF rock
1t was for ages in prepSIaton-its mountain
ranges, fertile plains, rivee systems. continents.
seas and great mines OF coal, copper. lead, iron,
silver and gold, God had been preparing for man
Haviug finished our world, he gave it over to man
and told him 10 dress and beautfy 1t with agrlcul
ture, manufacture, commerce, government and
religion. What man has done a rrtrospection
will disclose. do not speak of what man has
done to the entire exclusion of divine control.
has done that Stands Wholly Severed from
the wisdom, power and love OF God. The divine
purpose has ever been linked with human spon-
taniety in the worlds fortune. While human
freedom hay overwhelmed nations in battles and
blood. Divine Providence has erected barriers and
and wild wandering OF our race. Gods purpose
has been involved in the growth OF our world. No
convention of the world, or part OF the world ever
was held and 'resolred' on such development
as we witness to-day. 1t has come, in some meas
ure from a plan above human sagacity. Every
step Of growth has been wise preparation
for future progress. The history of nations demon
strates 1t. We shall leave out in our cursory re-
view the babyhood of the world.
vAGUENEsS AND UNCERTAINTY BECL0UD
1T.
Let us begin with the history of the Chinese and
Egyptians-the earliest recorded history. Here in
the soft clmes OF the East were the crude and first
forms of government. The sSes of the people
received instruction with the docility of children.
Their trades and employments were chosen for
them. Their ideas were culled from the grossest
forms of material nature. Their wants, and cares.
aud calls to exertion were simple and few. They
little thought that perils could approach them
leading trait of childhood. Suddenly, like
thunderbolts from the coasts of the Mediterranean,
from Marathon and Platea, great thoughts
revolutionized their ideas-idleness and indol-
ence-and westward the star of empire took its
course" And Greece now becomes the plain Of
the worlds stories, deeds and dramas. Greeks
having the sum of the ideas of the East, with
ideas of free political energy and remarkable
wrought out the gross ideas OF Asia and the past
into new forms of thought surprisingly delicate
ilization and government needed still more
to make it what God designed it to be-
Law and order ana me dissemination OF
power OF Rome was asserted. 1t needed the strong
arm and iron nerve of Rome to scatter the long
pent-up philosophy and thought and literature Of
Greece among the nations of the earth and G We
the world Code of Laws" The Roman army
was well fitted to diffuse the ideas of her Greek
predecessors 1t was composed of men of every
nation. When this work was well done, the work
of the Roman empire was done.
THE BASE OF THE WORLDS PROGRESS
then TO Central Europe. Here the FeudsIlsts and
Crusaders begin to talk human rights and duties
tine rights and de.ies of snhjeefs and rulers.
They discussed privileges. woman's place in the
family and society assumes new importance and
the world began 20 realize new sense OF selfhood
aud immortal interests. But still the purpose OF
God was incomplete. The middle ages witnessed
series of experiments, rising and falling prepar-
ing the life OF our world for new epoch OF trans
cendant power and brilliancy. In that epoch, !
believe we hye-the early manhood OF the world
| In this epoch Germany, England and America
| tional prosperity, political liberty and free re-
ligious thoueAt. Our era is epoch OF inductive
philosophy, he arts, physical science and musical
| culture. Our steam engines printing presses and
common school system, with a host of other re-
and spirit OF grand advancement. The Americ.r
people-our own Columbia-stand foremost in the
ran ks of national progress. Our resources are in
| comparable as basis of national prosper
| ity. Agriculture, manufactures, navigation
| and commerce in this nation have a foun
globe. In the mouth Of December, 1870 thu thu
Mayfower landed at Plymouth Rock and &C
country-a rich boon from the hand of the boun
/ tiful Giver. They encountered the storms of mid
winter, sayages wild beasts and famine; The!
THE DIVINITY THAT SHAPES OUR ENDS.
From then till now we have been steadil,
| marching forward on the road to national great
| ness and power. The chief secret of our progress
Him who do 9Th all things well. Faith and hopt
in God Bright angels of life They, with gilt
tering wings. explore earth's remotest bounds ant
orphan homes. houses of refuge ant
benevolent associations Of every char
given to the world political unity, self-preserva
| ton and the grand idea of a nation. The wan
of this unity is the of the failure of the
| public OF Greece. Greece studied games, picture
great moral ideas of national brotherhood. sureI,
the Iipe fruit of past nations has dropped of int
| the lap of the republic. Our teachers and preach
ers, lawyers and statesmen have surpassed all o
| such professions in former periods of tie world
| history. They sustain a thousand more relation
| their predecessors. Inote the fact without pluck
ing laurel from the brows ofour fathers in Churc
and state. Our increased facilities for trave
| are bringing face to face men Of every cline an'
color. Every man is beginning to see in ever
| other man brother ana in God common Father
place of creeds and confessions of faith and Chris
tian union, prayed for and desired by the peopl
on tree Which TIE yOSips q Cbfst nante
for the healing OF the nations has taken deep roo
in the soil of our world life. 1t has been watere'
by the blood of martyrs. 1t has withstood fire an'
| sword and tempest, and the storms of the ages
/ 1t has grown until now its cool ambrosial shade
| are sought by seekers of truth and love of al
civilized races.
LET Us THANK GOD FERvENTLY
that we live at this day ''of peace on the cart
| and good will among men"-that we are spiritua
fast Becoming brotherhood of immortal being,
and not brutcs of the field; that we are bearing
| more AMI more the glorious image the great "a
| vi0r bore. 1 feel that we are standing on tn
threshold of the worlds better DAYS. The worl,
| is yet to be better clothed, fed and housed. Al
| increase of taste, coByenience and beauty 10 b
decorate the home of the future man. A dignit.
OF citizenship and responsibility is to rest upoI
members OF society in the ages TO come. Music ant
poetry and oratory and literature and architecture
| have not yet seen their maximum in the develop
| ment of our great world plan. Education and re
lgion have not seen yet their best days. Old sys
| TENS. landmarks. formulas of faith
| doubtless will, change aud they ought to change
| This fact has been witnessable every few hundred
years. Religion is like the field burned over blacl
| and chared, but ashes will foster anC
| stimulate stronger and more tropica
| growth. God gave man a nature whicl
man lives there will be faith and services o
| devotion. While men are eaters and thinkers
| food and thought will be in demand. And Will
L a raliainr1s factn and carn