The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-07-08

result in a decision to withdraw the American
troops from the Philippines. Any man
claiming to be an American who will thus
foster rebellion and cause the useless slaugh-
ter Of American troops and make unneces-
sary trouble for US, ourht to go and live
among the Filipinos, whom he so loves; of
choice, if he will; and if not, then transport
him and compel him to stay there until lie
learns how to appreciate the privileges Of
American citizenship, for which better men
than he have died.
Beyond all we can see of this conflict be-
lieve there is Devine purpose to be wrought
out through it, and that is the chrstanizing
of those islanders and believe that through
the means Of war, God is going to open
door in the East for the entering OF Il better
civilization. No doubt we are on the eve of
the unfolding of some marvellous plan for
the onward march OF civilization; and God
intends that this nation shall lead the adj
vance. And rs civilization advances tho
church must follow where the army and navy
lead the way, ana plant the cross Of Christ
on I'll" ruins Of heather affairs, aud give the
nations the blessings Of twentieth century
christian civilization The nation for whom
God has done most, must do most for God
and humanity.
That was Il noble sentiment, and it was
beautifully expressed by Captain PhilIip- Of
the Texas, when he called his men TO quart
ers after the destruction of Cervcra', fleet,
and said: II want to declare here in your
presence that | believe in God the Father
Almighty and | want you, Officers and men,
to lift your hats and bow your heads: and
from Your hearts thank God for our splendid
victory. and for our wonderful prrservatiou."
This declaration If Il noble officer expresses
the sentiment that ought to I'LL every Ameri
can heart We ought to acknowledge him in
ali our blessings. This country is professedly
Il Christian country, and the evidences of our
faith are everywhere present. We have
$50, 600 christian churches. liz 900 ministers.
q 600 600 communicates and =G79 900. 600 iu-
vested in church property: while the total
christian population according to the last
censu. was $1,000, goo out of Il total of e.
900, 600. This is indeed Il splendid showing,
50 far as figures Cos but what will all this
amount to unless the spirit of the nation be
christian? What we want is to remember
that 1.-THE Lord God omnipOtent reigneth,'
and that the kingdoms of this world are His.
If we serve Him. he will eXalt US and make
us conspicuous in the eyes of the world but
If we forget Him and turn away from serving
Him, not only in form. but in spirit and in
truth. He will cast us of. and cast us ont
O, that this land of ours with all its wealth.
with all its beauty, with all its possibilities
for good might exalt our God and serve Him
and praise His name forever
We ought to be the best people on earth,
for no other people were ever so favored as
we are. We have the best country God ever
made We have made the greatest advance
in civilization of all the nations Of the earth:
ours is the only country Of absolute religious
and political freedom; and the only country
where every man is actually equal before the
law, and eligible to any position Of honor
and trust within the gift of the people. What
God has done for us we know: what He will
do if we are true Him, God only can tell
If | might build an arch into which every
right and privilege Of ours should enter as a
stone composing in part the structure,
would build it with one foot of the arch rest.
ing on the Bible and the other on the Ameri-
can Constitution. Every hope | would cner-
ish for the future should rest on the unfailing
promise of God; and every thought and
every word, and every act should be loyal to
tlp Con stitutipp and the M ont l,r
which we live
Upon these foundation stones | would lay
first the stone of Faith. On his hand faith
in God rs the giver Of all good Lord of the
nations, and King of Kings. Faith in his I'M
failing goodness, that he will lead us us a
nation to the high destiny that it is his pur-
pose we shall attain to; faith in his word of
promise, and also in the word OF his COM
mand and that makes Gods law the funda.
mental law of our life and conduct. On that
hand faith in the principles Of government
incorporated in that immortal document, the
American Constitution, and that find their
simplest embodiment in the incontrovertable
statement that ITO every man belong the
right of life, liberty, and the pursuit OF happi-
ness. Principles that are sacred and divine :;
and that can never perish from the earth.
Above these, and next in order, | would
put Liberty. First Of all religious freedom.
Thank God for a free salvation for free
gospel for free conscience and the right
TO worship him as we choose, none daring to
modest or restrain us. Here the Romanist
may have his crucilx, if he desires it the
Episcopalean may wear his gown; the Pres
byterian nay discuss the DEGREES Methodism
may retain her mourners bench and her amen
corner and the Salvation Army may muster
in their barracks, or shout Gods praises in
the streets If they so choose. God bless them
all we ought to shout and sing his praises
for we are free in Christ Jesus.
On the other hand, freedom in all that per-
tains to our rights as American citizens.
Thank God that in all this land no man dares
to put q shackle on the hands of his fellow
man and call him his chattel and slave
There Is no slavery here but that OF passion
which binds men in bonds of their own forg-
ing, and may God hasten the day when our
laws shall no longer protect that which fost-
ers and promotes this slavery. In political
matters in this country every man is n sover-
eign; the ballot he votes represents the will
of an American freeman. Corrupted with