The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-10

human eye cannot look suddenly upon a
dazzling light without being blinded;
when the Son of God first preached the
doctrine of the Kingdom of Heaven, in
which all who subjected themselves to the
dominion of the divine Ruler should be
equal and all should be brothers, human
eyes were dazzled at the prospect, and the
first sight of this splendid liberty was
followed BY a period of darkness so intense
that it has always been known in history
az the dark ages"
Then the light of liberty flickered
through the clouds, and some men saw 1t,
and keeping their eyes upon it followed
its beckoning to the western hemisphere,
where the clouds were dispelled and the
full light broke forth, destined to illumin-
ate the world, never again to be darkened.
Thit was recognized in happy way by
the people of France, who had CROPPED for
the light and fought for a glimpse OF it
until the streets of Paris ran in blood. l
thought of this two weeks ago, as sat on
the deck of q steamer and saw the mag
nifcent statue of Liberty, which in her
gratitude France presented to the nation
which had hewn the way for liberty to
become possible. That statue now adorns
the harbor OF New York, holding torch
in its hand to light the way across the
seas, that those in distant climes may
view the light which shines from the
shores of America. Upon this statue is
inscribed Liberty enlightens the world. "
In its hand is the wreath of peace. 1t en-
lightens the world. not by the clash OF
arms, or the frowns of despotism. but by
the light of liberty, which, when it shines
in the breasts Of men, causes them to obey
the only commandment ever given by the
Son of God, THAT ye love one another"
MORAL ADVANCEMENT GODS PURPOSE.
No nation in the past has had such a
government as ours, and hence the results
accomplished by US up to the 18th century
was nothing but preparatory work. Tho
nations of the present day have utilized
this preparatory work and founded their
governments upon code which recognizes
God and his moral government OF the
universe, and mans responsibility in
carrying out the designs of this moral
government in the elevation of the race.
And of all the nations we have established
q government combining all the excellen-
cies of all others that have ever existed.
It has for its foundations the indestructi-
BILE principles of true religion, human
freedom and general human progress.
The United States are. for this reason
destined to play an important and con-
spicuous part in the future history of the
world. Isolated in the Occident, as the
earliest Of the race were in the Orient, she
is to become the center from which light,
knowledge and civilization are to be diff
fused over Che whole earth.
The events of the last half century have
been pregnant with world wide conse-
quences. These have conspired to make
US as nation Of far more Importance to
the human race and It's future history
than ever the chosen nation Of God was in
the infancy of the world. More progress
has been made in science, the arts, dis
coveries, and in all intellectual achieve
ments, during the last century than had
been made in sixty centuries. 1t seems
as if the human mind was suddenly re-
lieved from the incubus under which it
had labored for the ages, and with some
thing like inspiration entered into the vast
field of the occult and undiscovered ele-
ments of nature and made them subservi-
ent to the phenomenal advancement of
the race. Since the morning stars sang
together at the creation, the atmosphere
and all nature have had diffused in them
the element Of electricity, and yet it's
presence and utility escaped the attention
of all the sages and philosophers of an.
tiquity. 1t was left for the christianized
mind of the 10th century to comprehend
it's mysterious power and nature, and to
make it potential and useful agent in the
practical affairs of life.
In the field of discovery the mechanical
inventions of the last half century have
revolutionized agriculture and all indus
trial conditions, and furnished substi-
tutes for the labor of man which accom-
plish all the wonders of the human will
and intellect. For the ages. the principle
of these inventions lay dormant in the
vast storehouse Of nature, and human in
genuity failed to comprehend it and make
1t factor in progress and civilization. It
was reserved for the inquisitive intellect
of the 10th century, quickened by the in
spring influences of christianity, to ex-
plore this rich mine OF nature, and to har-
ness the forces there stored away in ma
chinery which has given an impetus to
the progress of the world such as has not
been seen in any other era.
But in the development of the princi-
pies of government the most rapid strides
have been made. 1t has been discovered
as almost revelation that man was not
made for governments but governments
exist for man. The idea of the ancient
world was to organize political society
and enact laws to keep its subjects under
restraints, and to exact perfect obedience
as the only virtue of government. The
laws oflCaligula, posted so high that no
one could reach tbem. of Solon, Lycurgus,
Draco and all other lawgivers were codes
intended only for the physical and intel.
lectual development of man. His moral
sense was repudiated and the education
of his moral nature entirely neglected
He was treated as creature Of time and
circumstances, and no account was taken
of his immortal destiny. In this consist.
ed the pre-eminent infrmity of all the
monarchies and republics which existed