Year: 1862

he seems almost overwhelmed, and ex.
claims with longing desire, 80, thou sword
of the Lord how long will it be ere
thou be quiet? Put up thyself into thy
scabbard; rest and be STILL And
how does the same language fit our
lips, and the feelings which promptit, find
response in our hearts, as we look abroad
over our once happy land, now bleeding
under the scou rye of civil war; her soil
wet with fraternal blood many peace
full and happy homes rendered cheerless
and desolate; the sun of our prosperity
obscured in thick darkness, and cloud of
gloom and sadness spreading its heavy
folds over the land, from South to North,
from East to West!


Aud as often as the call is renewed for
a greater sacrifice of men and means, or
when the oft-repeated tidings of revcrses
meet our ears, or when, as on this occas-
ion, we are compelled to look behind the
veil of sufferings and of sacrifice, how in
voluntarily does the cry find utterance up
on our lips, 20, though sword of the Lord,
how long will it be ere thou be quiet?


That we are to regard the present civil
war as the "sword of the Lord" or, in
other words, as judgment from God
for the sins of the nation, will not be
questioned by any who acknowledge a
divine Providence in the affairs of men,
and who also believe that God is a just
and righteous Ruler


We know not now to account for the
present distracted condition of our coun-
Try in any other way than by ackowlcdg-
ing that God has controversy with this
nation, by which He is bringing our sins
to fresh remembrance, and causing us to
reap the natural and legitimate fruit of
the seed we have sown for it is as true
of the nation as of the individual, that
whatsoever it sows, that it must also reap,
and in view of this fact, well might an
eminent statesman cxclaim, 81 tremble
for my country when remember that
God is just"


At the very outset then, we must not
fail to acknowledge God hand, for though
we may often be able to trace results di-
rectly to their causes, yet the very rela-
ton existing between cause and effect, and
which enables us to judge of the one by
the other, is established by Him who is
himself the great firstcause.


We have now reached very important
epoch iii our national life. The vital for
ces which have in some sense, held us to-
gether, are now acting separately and
apart. The different sections, and scpa-
rate interests of the nation are now
wrought up to fierce life-and-death strug-
gle, and the result hangs in suspense.


Whether, in the contest, the life and
vigor of the nation shall be utterly ex-
hausted, or whether this wicked rebellion
shall be overcome, the revolted States
brought back again to allegiance, and the
Republic henceforth make more rapid pro-
gress in the career of greatness, is ques-
ton to many minds not wholly free from
doubt.


] 0, to live in time like this, subjects
of the best government that God has ever
given to man, and that government strug-
Cling for existence trembling as on the
very verge of destruction, and depending
for its life, under God, upon the fidelity
and sclf-sacrifcing devotion of those who
love it best; to live at such time, how
solemn a reality does life become


Well has an another said,


1--WE are living, we are dwelling


In q grand and awful time


In an age on ages telling


Il To be living Is snbime."


Yes, "in an age on ages telling" for upon
this struggle may hang the destiny of 9th.
er nations now groaning in oppression.


The momentous question whether q
free people can govern themselves, is now
being tested for the world, and in long
ages to come, the result of this fearful
contest will doubtless have an important
bearing upon the veal or woe of millions
yet unborn.


But while the a'sword Of the Lord" is
thus devastating the land lot us inquire