The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-05-14

request Of the Alliance.
The difficulty of settling the So
cial questions of the day, is largely
due to the atmosphere which sur
rounds the y ork. The creation of
favorable conditions, this formation
of atmOspheFes, is the great work
of the leaders.
All genuine moral movements,
especially in Democratic countries,
depend for their success on these
conditions or atmospheres. 1t is
useless to urge justice to the laborer
honesty to the emplOyer-temper-
ance to the Observation-Disclosures
to animals, intelligence in public
service, vigor in the administration
Of law; unless there is public con-
science powerful enough to abhor
what is evil, and compel its reforma-
ton. Those leaders are most use
full who by bringing God and his
word nearest to the heart, make
men and women love righteousness
and hate iniquity. This Is the only
atmosphere in which real reforms
and true benevolence flourish.
Leaders are wrong and foolish
who neglect this work for any other.
Their main business always must be
to lay the foundations of trust, con-
viction, character, and conduct, on
which, all moral, social and pOliti-
cal improvement is to be built up.
There is no cause ever more impor@
tant, than the work of regenerating
men, by preaching Christ and the
Holy Spirit. This makes christians,
and christians make nine.tenths of
all that Is hopeful and helpful to the
country.
Honor thy Father and thy Mother
and thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyseIf. Matthew, xix chap'r, 19v.
From a careful study of the
human race as CLEANED from Biblical
history, mythology of ancient Greece
and Rome also from Onr own person
al knowledge, we will find that man
kind has ever been prone to idolatry,
Heathern nations in the gloom of
their ignorance and superstition are
not more guilty than those who en-
joy the light of civilization. When
by the sin of disobedience 10 Gods
law, the penalty was inflicted upon
the descendants of Adam, Satan, be-
gan his powerful campaign of intrigue
and stratagem by which he hoped
to gain dominion over the world. He
studied his victlM thoroughly and
saw that Notwithstanding mans
fear of punishment, for the violations
of the law of heaven, or his hope OF
reward for future obedience, he was
very weak and helpless in himself,
that in his character were vulnera-
bic points through which he aimed
to work his final ruin. In the dis
guisB Of a serpent hs gave his first
lessons in the garden of Eden, and
until the present time, has never
relaxed his efforts for the accom-
plishment of the desired end.
Looking within the soul of man he
found spiritual temple upon which
God was enthroned as creator and
king. Filled with presumptions
envy, he determined to tear it down
and reign there himself: To ac-
cOmplish this he poisoned the foun-
tain of love to God, which perver.
ted from its rlghtful source, eented
in love of self, its own power
pleasure and qualification. To some
he offered the glitterihg bride Of
gold, the lusts of the flesh, pride Of
intellect, the love of applause, all
concentrated in self. AS one sin
follows another, so through this
broad avenue, came trooping many
licentious indulgences; such as in-
temperance, idleness, gambling,
swearing and murder. 1t cast out
the loYe towards others, which the
law of christianity enjolns.
CHRIST came upon earth, dwell
among men, suffered with them,
was tempted as they, taught them
by example and by repentance and
faith in Him how to live, and how
to die. To man he gave this les
son worthy of God. ''Honor thy
father and thy mother, and love thy
neighbOr as myself"
Let us humbly follow where our
Savior leads US, that after the labor
of life is past we may enter into
this rest and share the rewards of
fered to those who have been faith
full in the few talents given. How
can anyone who claims or hopes to
secure an interest in this kingdom,
enjoy peace of conscience, who deals
intoxicating liquor to his fellow
man? There are occasions when the
abuses of civilized society strongly
demand the concentrated influence
of all right minded people, to aid
in uprooting moral and social vices,
II IL Z