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LETTER-PRESS OF E. C. COUNCELL, 119 EAST BAY.

1850.

PREFACE.

Our Southern clergy very rarely introduce political topics in their pulpit ministrations Devoted to their appropriate calling, they consecrate that sacred place to higher themes. It cannot be denied, however, that circumstances may arise which will justify the preacher in departing from a line of conduct, in general, so proper and praiseworthy. Such, it seemed to the author of the following discourse, were the circumstances under which it was delivered. Profoundly convinced that perils of the most alarming character threaten, with utter ruin, all the Southern people value as men, and as Christians, he felt the duty of the minister to be identified with the duty of the citizen. The day on which it was delivered having been set apart by the highest authorities of the State for humiliation and prayer, with reference to our political relations, it would have been extremely improper not to have alluded to them, and unmanly to have done so without expressing his honest convictions.

If the discourse should be read by any who will condemn its severity, the author can only say, that it was not born in him to feel, or to speak tamely of injustice and oppression. The blood of two South Carolina patriot soldiers of the revolution, and of two patriotic women, who endured their full share of trial throughout that contest, mingles in his veins, and every drop of it runs in fire when the land for which they served and suffered is assailed with injury and insult. A little more than seventy-five years ago, on July 20th, 1775, our fathers bent in prayer to God for their country against unjust legislation, and rose with burning hearts to second their prayers with brave endeavors. Let us disown our parentage, or emulate their example.

Some readers may judge, many points which have been introduced, to require further illustration and argument.-The discourse was delivered to an audience as well informed on the subject as the author, and he believes unanimous in their opinion. He only designed, in a brief and simple manner, to group together the leading facts of the case, so as best to exhibit the necessity of "seeking help from God." Had publication been expected, he would have endeavored to fortify his positions with fuller argument and proof.

DISCOURSE.

2 CHRONICLES, XX: 12.

E 145

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"Oh our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee."

The circumstances connected with the text were these: When the Israelites came up from the land of Egypt to take possession of Canaan, they were expressly prevented by the command of the Lord, from invading the territories of Ammon, Moab, and Mt. Seir or Edom. This was because these nations were of their own blood and kindred,--the Moabites and Ammonites being descended from Lot, Abraham's brother's son, and the Edomites from Esau, the brother of Jacob. The Israelites requested of these nations permission to pass peaceably through their country, to the promised land, and being refused, made a long and painful circuit through the wilderness, to avoid a conflict with them.

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After the settlement of the twelve tribes in Canaan, they were frequently attacked, and their country ravaged by these hostile people. On the side of Israel, there was kindness, and respect, in remembrance of their fathers, and of their common blood. But, on the side of the children of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir, there were constant jealousies, enmity, and disturbance. One of their assaults upon their unoffending neighbors, was made while Jehoshaphat was King of Judah, and is recorded in this chapter. Determined by one effort, finally to destroy, and exterminate the people of God, the three nations leagued together, and uniting their forces, invaded Judah by the South West corner of the Dead Sea, and took possession of Engedi, a frontier town of that tribe. In this contest, Judah stood alone. The ten tribes had separated from their brethren, after the death of Solomon, and of them all, only the small fragment of Benjamin adhered to the kingdom. In this crisis.

Jehoshaphat had reason to be alarmed. Three powerful nations, an eastern, middle, and western, were combined to overthrow his country, and its institutions. The other tribes, recreant to the obligations of religion, patriotism, interest and fraternity, left him to contend single-handed with the common enemies; and of the twelve tribes which should have been united in their common defence, only one, and a portion of another were faithful to duty, and to God. The King, sensible that all human hope in such a case was lost, sought help from above. "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." The whole people, sympathising in the alarm and anxiety of their rulers, responded unanimously to this proclamation. They gathered themselves together, out of all the cities of Judah to ask help of the Lord. On the appointed day of the fast, the King stood up in the congregation, in the house of the Lord, and uttered for himself and people the following prayer. "Oh Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heathen? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heaven? and in thy hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham, thy friend forever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, if, when evil cometh upon us, the sword, judgement, or pestilence or famine, we stand before this house and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house) and then thou wilt hear and help. of Ammon and Moab, and Mt. let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt; but they turned from them, and destroyed them not, behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. Oh our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”

cry unto thee in our affliction, And now, behold! the children Seir, whom thou wouldest not

The prayers of an injured people in a righteous cause were instantly heard. Before the assembly was dismissed the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the Prophets, and he was com

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