Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-11-20
PERSONAL.


NJ Faulkner Pierce s visiting his
grandmother, az Boz dsiile.
judged. b. Hoge VAS home this ~eci.
Mss Belle Bonrer, Of cireeucas.,7, is
Visiting - this city.
Mss Sanaie Giant Is visiting friends
here.
Mr. Chas. Anasrs. Of Baltimore, was
here this week.
Morgan Cline came up from Shenandoah
Junction. lar few days, this week.
- -
WHITTIER ARE WE DRIFTING p
Religion has done more to advance the
moral, social and intellectual interests
Of mankind Than all the Other agencies
the world has ever produced. The
change IN the foF4n,of despotie govern
meut, the gradual decay Of oppression
and degradation, which, Ike instru
meuts ct death, destroyed the hopes
and happiness, the earnings and endea-
vors of the common people in ages past,
can all he directly traced to religion.
Civilization, from the days of Moses,
the leader of the Israelites, TO the dis
covery aud peopling of America, has
been accomplished by the workings of
Gods love and will Love OF religions
| freedom, hate of persecution, a longing
| to live in true submission To the die
tates OF conscience, animated and for.
ced the Pilgrim Fathers to push for
| ward American civilization. In truth,
the ennobling, emulating, peaceful in
| fluences of religion to-day, make the
American people what they are-pros.
porous, familiar with the ethics of free
government, and God-fearing. The la
| boring man will secure his true rights
when christianity embraces beneath It's
| roof the entire Nation. Corruption in,
and prostitution of, public trusts, will
no longer exist, when Gods word and
law reigns supreme. But dark and
threatening clouds usurp the once
| bright heaven, and in America to-day
| forces are marshalling; ideas are spread
ing; intentions are deepening, which
mean danger, aye, even destruction, to
| religion and prosperity, and foreshadow
a return to earth of the bitter feuds and
dreadful scenes of the French Kevolu-
ton.
| Last week lat a meeting in New York,
Col. Robt. G.. Ingersoll, the brainy inf
del, who even eclipses Voltaire and Ros-
seau, his French tutors. spoke in favor
of these resolutions: "We demand that
all laws directly or indirectly enforcing
the observance of Sunday as the Sab
bath shall be repealed. We demand
that all laws looking to the enforcement
of Christian" morality shall be abro-
gated" The reader may laugh at the
| impudence of these demands. But,
pause one moment, and see as we see,
through the spectacles of the great flu
ture, and the present bearings. We
fear not the American citizen. Reared
in Christian land, the religious hopes
and rewards of his parents-which clus.
tered about his childhood, can scarcely
| leave his bosom his hand would fall
back powerless, should he attempt the
destruction of the religious principles,
dear to the heart and so closely assimi-
lated in his mind with patriotism and
purity. But the foreign element may
listen to these plausible and deceptive
words and ideas. Chicago has popu-
lation of over 600 900, only 20 per cent,
of whom are native citizens. Thirteen
per cent. of our entire population, are
a foreign class. Twenty per cent of all
the crimes in this country commit
ted by foreigners. Forty five per cent.
of our alms-house inmates are not ma
tive citizens. This is the element that
Ingersoll will try to convert to his re-
ligious heresy. Already the evidence
of his work is too evident. 1t is time
for US to realize that great under
ground mine is ready ty be exploded,
and that the stability of our Govern
ment and Christ's religion, is in dam
ger. Americans, and true foreign citi-
zens, must stand together. The church
must revive and renew her struggles.
The fight must be made. Columbus
drew line in the sand once when his
men refused to follow him, and were
about to mutiny, He said: son this
side, is disgrace and death and dishon-
or; on this side glory, peace and an un-
conquered rich world. Which will you
take? For myself, take the latter"
and he stepped over, and America be-
came a new nation. To-day you are
called upon to make just as important
decision. On one hand, is life and
olorv nrnqnnraua fraa ravarpopf hon