The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-05-03

- NoSsO1s AoSS@s
st. Lssis Republic.
IN these days OF criticism on things re-
ipious. Of agnosticism aud scepticism, the
national act OF Thanksgiving aud prayer
proposed in the Centennial Proclsms-
lion OF the President, may appear 10
many . mere pompous and passing COM
pliment TO the religion OF civilization.
it has, however, . deep, solemn and
spiritual Significance, and the spectacle
lof = great commercial and industrisl
people pausing in their multiiar i0us pur-
suits 10 realize belief bv an act OF col
'Ilective worship will be profoundly im-l
pressive aud significant.
u Men are more religious than they seem,
and the most reck less become dev0ut In
1.-The presence OF great emergencies. There
are many who, intellectually, question
or deny the validity OF religion, but who,
'neyertheiese, are nodded by its power
and bow betu the view less winds OF its
. mighty influence. They live in the sun
. shine without thinking Of the sun until
: cloud intervenes, aud the gloom reminds
them OF the glory lost. Civilization is
the fruit Of Christianity, for the disiin.
I lguishiug acts Of the Que are nodded after
: n pattern afforded only by the other. II
!. was Christianity that first proclaimed
!. the Equality aud Fraternity OF men and
!. The Fa.herhood OF God (; that taught the
= NECESSITY OF faith and love, and, inter-
= preting the abstract conception Of the
\ Deity by the human character Of Jesus,
i. made Il vital by emotion and enthusiasm
The golden dreams OF the Orieni, aud
,olthe cold aud sustere grace OF the Greek
Z ideals. aud ell that poet or sage had
: r'lworked out Of the Divine, were alike
!. 20 " erless to make religion transform
IeIiug. originating force, elevating thu
!, v hole plane Of society aud inspiring th'
- |pripciples Of free, self balanced State
Mankind had to learn that the creates
> virtue is charity, and that the principIe
- and practice, which make the individua
q noble are the same that are necessary q
81 perfect the civil State, and the lesso
came from Christ.
Hut. whether or not ell men can
.lpersusded OF the full influence Of Chris
ed tiauity in developing free institution
N. r. - viii deny its activity and benificenc
Iv-Iiu the sphere Of domestic lite. "Lik
re perfect music unto perfect words" II .
goliies with every sweet and noble emotio
ol. -puritv. gentleuess, unselfishness al
al a|fortitude are its immediate fruits. 1t
le. he melo ious undertone Of all dome
! u ltic affections, inspires the faithful di
an charge NJ al personal duties, aud ten,
ter "a make each mcsnbe. OF . househ old
- lueetul citizen. So, too, II absorbs with
q q its sphere All the most memorable In
70 ldents OF lite, shedding around them
the celestial radiance. aud its Sabbaths .
tier niverssries are ever inwrought "
vac home scenes and feeiings. The brig
OLD e-t "reminiscences OF youth are come
me ed with lie services and literature, .
,tn' amid the pathos ofsli farewel!s and
Tore hearts its mystic promises bresihe rOu
me us their immortal hopes and conso
'u'd tjons. Il IL linked in with all ancest
'ay memories, and the perspectives Of
&C. past. and the scenes Of the present,
ntly alike illuminated BY it, presence. Q
'n- aud vet ever young, IL has its type
r!!y' the unw itheriug countensnce Of the .,
de- The American people love In
.ticel .ra sheir reiigion. and Al
cept Rationallsts and Anarchists that Euro
can send US are poweriess 20 cradle
seutimens. We wisely Identify one "
%. the other. believing In their essenl
unity. On the proposed holiday We Y
.Ice,ebrate q hundred years Of organi;
y o. freedom. and there II dignity and beau
'me. ss we'll as appropriateness. in mark
ntly -. 49,. sion ~ 4 national act OF pray
here ~ ~ .rscis a. earth have had ric
rood -" l;..,s swarded 70 them. and the b
y O. Of them have come through the chann
orn- OF Christian principles. We are nett
'la'n ashamed or afraid 10 confess before
very world the inestimable benefits We h
pile. .cs;v.d rom the religion We prot
lsten 80 ~ conra0e or heroic men I
done IA -. sorrd .s;on 81 our iibertiea.
re IL ss ~. 'ar sra IN Who have co-opers
0 do 10 .s.sr, sirce. received their best
Irs'd spirstion from the spirit Of Christian
snce ThIs was the belief OF Washington
n's Il u aIso The belief Of the American
A'e pie 10 day.