The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-10

oUTHRoN, JULY 10, 1e
tory would have never been blazoned with
the glories If the eternal city. Without
the expansion of her empire, Greece would
have been a little speck on the map OF the
world, and the splendors Of Athens and
the glories of Marathon would never have
been recorded as tributes to human learn
ing and yalor. IN all ages nations have
had national obligations imposed upon
them, and. when discharged, they have
fourished for a time, but they finally per-
ished because they were not equal to ihelr
increased responsibilities. Shall we, with
the experience Of the past before US,
shrink from our. obligations as nation
and prove recreant to the high trust Of
being sponsor for the Christian religion
and bearer of the glad tidings Of great JOY
to all peoples? Shall we fail in this auspi-
cious hour of opportunity to enjoy and
strive to perpetuate the freedom which is
the birthright of the race. and to work for
its universal enjoyment? Shall we foun-
der on the rock upon which all other ma
tions have founderedf Away with such
unpatriotic and unchristian objections to
tie expansion of our political institu-
tions.
The line Of duty marked out for as as q
nationis straight and narrow way. There
is no need for us to mistake it. We have
tie ..pillar Of cloud'' by day and the "pil-
lar Of FIRE" by night to guide US. II We
watch those with steady gaze VIZ. will
safely pass through the Red sea" Of dan
ger before us, and at last reach the goal
of our national aspirations and opportun-
ities
Our land is the most favored Of earth.
We havea diversity Of soil and climate
unequalled. Our diversity of production
is marvellous. Our versatility of scien-
tiic and inventive genius is the wonder of
the world. We are able not only to feed
orr millions of population but the hungry
of all nations. We can clothe the hum
dreds of millions of people in the Orient.
Our wealth is fabulous. With all these
advantages can We afford to shut up our
selves in a ..pentup Utica" and allow the
very redundance Of our products to make
us poors No other nation ever had the
grand commercial opportunities we enjoy.
Our harvests make our fields smile with
Joy and loudly call US to reap and enjoy
rich rewards by supplying other nations
and still have an abundance left. AS q
return Of gratitude to the Ruler Of ma
stions for our unparalleled prosperity and
advantages, it is our national duty to
grow, expand, and go forth to contest
with other nations for commercial suprem-
acy.
Nations like individuals must be inter-
dependent. the past the nations have
ignored this doctrine, and have destroyed
each other in their strife for dominion and
supremacy. It was never intended in the
great plans of Omniscience that any na-
ton can exist without being a blessing or
curse to others. This idea of interdepcn-
dence in the last half century seems to
have become the settled conviction Of all
the nations. The recent trou bles in China
made all the great civilized powers neigh
bors. It brought them in unison for their
own betterment and the welfare Of
heather China. Why then criticize our
President for the attitude Of the United
States in this Chinese complication and
for acting in concert with the other ma
tfons as neighbor? 1t was one of her
national obligations as we'll as great op-
portunity to exemplify her readiness to
help and to bless all other nations.
For 1850 years the human race has been
struggling to obey the divine command,
go ye into all the world and preach the
gospel But little progress was made
for centuries upon centuries. Seas of
blood have been shed in this evangelical
work. The progress has been slow. but
the fire has been kept dimly burning upon
the sacred altar. It was left to the mys-
terfous christian influence of the nine
teenth century, when the human mind
was liberated. to commence anew this gos-
Del work, and it's light has blazed in every
land, and the bible has been published in
every tongue We are on the eve Of q
new christian era in the world. Our ma
ton with its free government and its ag-
Qressive christian civilization is in q posi-
tton to march forward and convert the
world. With the isles of the Pacific in our
possession. with the confidence of the
milliops of heathens in the East, and with
our wealth and commerce. and Anglo
Saxon love of liberty, we can raise the
banner Of the cross and accomplish the
heaven designed work of having the gos-
pei preachsd to every creature.
Our republican government. with these
mighty potentialities for progress, civii-
- III a.