Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-11

odist, or PRESBYTERIAN church Why?...
Let the pride OF an established church an
swerl But before the solution of this ques-
,ion be offered, let another question be
answered. What is the meaning of the
words father in God Z" Father OF whom,
or Of what, aud how father in God q
In menarchical governments there are
titles which indicate offices, such as that
of emperor or king, secretary, or Judge.
Some name is necessary. There are other
titles which indicate no office or employ
ment whatever; and serve, in most coun-
tries, only TO mark the rank in society en-
loved by the possessor: such for instance
rs duke, marquis, count, or baron. But
these titles are sometimes accompanied
by privileges OF great importance thew
make the owner Il member ola Legislative
body for life, and Judge in the last re-
sori, and Ibis privilege desccnds with the
title from generation TO generation. Ii is
TIE tile, however, giving a distinction
felt and eaioycd every day and every
hour, which fiatters the vanity and cher
ishcs the pride Of the human heart. The
dukes aud mafquises OF France before the
revolutions, who however had many relies
oiicudal rights, valued their titles quite
as high as The dukes and niarquiSes 0file
parliament of Great Britain.
Bun there is no satisfying the pride of
man. lis appetite is increased by what
il feeds. on. Emper0rs and kings are not
coptented with titles, though accompani-
ed by DOMINION and splendor. They
must he raised far, as far as possible, "a
bove their subjects, who are 10 deem ii
happiness aud honor ie be permitted to
gaze upon their greatness. They are
therefore emperors and kings by the grace
IF God. We have been So long accustom-
ed TO this language, that il makes no inn
preston. An object ever present dims
the sight" do not recollect 10 have
heard or read a suggestion concerning its
meaning. Examine ii for a moment, and
YOU viii see at once, that it is susceptible
ct Two constructions only; one affirming
what is false, the other what is foolish =
II if he meant, thai these persons are kings
by the special permission and authority of
The Supreme SEEING, the meaning is false.
II on the other hand, the meaning be, that
they hold their stations by the grace Of
God, because nothing can be held or en-
ioyed without his grace or favor, it is alb
surd. Under This exposition king is no
more a King by the grace of God, than he
is button maker, an elnbroiderer of pet
ticoats, or feeder of turkeys BY The grace
OF God. There can be no doubt howev-
er, that the idea intended to be inculcated
Is, that their authority IS derived not from
the people, but from the Almighty. The
divine right OF kings was i'll the 18th CEN
fury openly advocated ia Europe, and
proclaimed By m university decree. The
same right is asserted In That country
now; not in so Eany words, but by acts
ONO equivocai import. The 'legitma,es'
proceed as if the people had no right 10
interfere IN the selection of their rulers, or
the organization their government: and
even IN tins country, their pretensious
baye been most zealously cspoused.
But monarchs are not only monarchs
tV ihe grace Of God, but they have press
cd on from ''grace' and highness" 10
-aalesty. We speak of the majesty ofAl-
iO;sity God, amt of the majesty of pmny
1t2o!ial. Kings are not only their males
lies, hut their august, even their sacred
Inajcsties. Human pride can climb no
higher human basenesS can descend no
lower. u. But forget-it has descended
loser. Bacon, ranking al The same mo.
ment foremost among the most enlighten-
ed philosophers and the most abject cour-
tiers, says that kings are mortal Gods !
But Bacon's opinions of kings and govern
ment were not peculiar TO himself. The
parliament of Great Britain, in an act
passed Immediately after the accession of
James |. g agnize, OH the E,,ees of tkei,.
hearts, their most constant faith" &c 10 a
sovereign endowed with the rarest gifts
Of mind and body!
The title OF defender of the faith, he
slowed by The pope on Henry VIII for his
defence of the catholic religion, was re-
tanned By him after he became supreme
heal of The church of England, and by
his successors, while eNgaged in psrseciu-
ing the professors of that very religion,
81, 4, 81 4. al L
slowed.
The kings Of Great Britain styledthem-
selves kings OF France also, at the yer,
moment when they were forming cOali
lions 10 oppose power dangerous 10 The
independence OF all Europe.
Now LET it be remembered that the go
vernments of Europe admit as funda-
mental principle, the distinction of ranks
la society Ii is not unreasonable, there
fore, thai where that principle is admit
ted the different ranks should be marked
and named; nor can it be a matter ofsur-
prise, ifpride, imperial, royal, aristocratic,
and especially ecclesiastic, thus set in
motion, thus excited, should accept the
homage Of interiors in any terms which
flIilerl might think ii polite TO use.
Bmt the constitution ofihe United States
and tlIe constitutions Of all the states are
founded on the principle of equality.
They recognize no distinction of rank
on tIe contrary, the first provides ex-
pressIy. that titles Of nobility shall not be
granted and the latter, most Of them if
not all prohibit all titles Of honor or
distinction. What business then have we
with titles, or epifhetS of distinction ?
What excuse can we offer for our adop
ton and use Of them We are not speak
ing in conformity TO the principles of our