The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-23

AZ oaursr4r SCENE ~ ! NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.

the good country folks, in their nealesi attire
punciually In the pews Of the several churches The
largest, which belonged TO The Congregational demo
minaiion, was one OF The most ancient and reverend
structures in the country. Many generations have
passed away since that plain, unadorned, yet inter-
esiing edi6ce was dedicated 10 the worship OF the
Universal God. Who can guess bow widely, lux
urisnlly, and beneicially the seed sowa from that
unambtous pulpit has spread It's fruit over Inc broad
Empire OF the American israei-sown as II has been
steadily and punctuay, Sabbath after Sabbath, py
succession of Christian pastors TOR century past
Did you ever see quiet, so orderly, so content
ed, SO Republican people With how much meek
ness and humility they receive the lessons OF divine
wisdom! How mnch benevolence, gratitude and
obedience enter into every molive How plain yet
neat 10 personal appearance, how sensible 10 con-
duct and howistern and inaexible in principle How
familiar wi and active in the services OF the sane
luary since the worship Of God Is the important bu
sness Of their lives.
But was not more pleased with The appearances
Of things around me, with the people, with the whole
some atmosphere Of the hills and the bright scenery
surrounding than with the most excellent discourse
Of the village pastor. Situated as am" fell
constrained to apply H. not only to myself but to the
various politicians with whom am often in contact
or conflict The subject was the effect Of political
preferences in prerenliag Tie good influence Of men,
Could any thing have been more appropriate 10 my
happening in just at that time? And il You had
heard il, am you would agree with me- that
could not be better employed than in reporting apart
of il for the benefit Of the politicians of the day. To
this task, therefore, shall now address mysef,h hum
bly, believing that, at time, especially when party
spirit has degraded public morals 10 the lowest de-
gree, sundry politicians scarcely better employ
few minutes than in reading and bordering the fol-
lowing paragraphs, which formed but a part OF the
discourse alluded to:
1t is truth, said the preacher, which applies to
greater or less extent at all times, and, especially in
government like ours, that the popular nil does
gulate and control all the most important movements
OF individuals! II is this influence Of the voice Of
the people upon moral action, which comes within
the scope Of my present subject. And even this, may,
a, first view, appear to some inexpedient, and in
consistent with the duties Of the preacher Of the
gospel But the view would present is this: Every
man should act in all his ways under the influence
Of the religion of Jesus Christ He should exhibit
regard to its principles in all his commercial trans
actions and duties, She should govern all his feelings
| and dongs as member of eiUil society, by the
| word Of the Supreme Ruler, and never forget that
the voice of man, or by the will of the multitude.
| While many express fear Of unnatural union Of
politics with religion, and would keep them widely
| separate the proper ground TO be taken and main
tanned is, that religion should throw her pure and
hailowed influence over the ,cAole man. and should
| affect him in all his duties and relations as
man. making him not only mare, a man, but, bring
ing him up 10 the standard of noble, manly action
| Never should he be drawn away from the power Of
the truth of God upon his heart and lie, BY the fear
Of what the world will condemn, or by the hope of
its honors. The people Of this country Of which, if
of any under heaven it may be said the principles Of
its government were found in the word Of God-this
people should be the last TO fear the influence Of true
religion upon the institutions laws of the land.
For is deep feeling of obligation 10 God pure
mSTai sense, which can alone fit men 10 govern them
selves and, dfuse widely the spirit of the Bible
impress deeply the heart, the iiegving truth sent
down from heaven and all that is valuable in our
government will stand, and continue to bless us. 1t
is only when The principles of moral obligation are
net felt and acknowledged, when, by reason of
fear to act them out, lest selfish ends should not be
secured that there need be apprehended any danger
10 our constitution and our laws
This then is the point there are, we must believe,
those who do not put forth their influence as they
well know they ought because the popular will does
not accord with and sanction it, They know their
prospects of advancement in political life must suffer
a blight ii they go boldly forward and do their duty
as the word Of heaven and the teaching ofconscience
demand.
By bringing out this truth, do not say that any
man. or set of men, mean 10 sell their bir,hrghts and
give up the hopes OF eternal life, just for the empty
name of honor, or for the emolunent and dgntes
the disposal Of political power But they err, not
knowing their hearts and not estimating the influen
ces bearing upon them. They forsake the way Of
duty, and refuse TO give their influence, where it
might be opposed by those with whom they bad
leagued, or whose favor they would gain by persuad
ing themselves that in their particular situation it is
not required and ought not to be expected that they
| would make so great sacrificed Such strive TO
think il excusabe in them to withhold their influence
when il would induce so great evils as the alienation
OF friends with whom they had long actoa, or the
abandonment of long cherished hopes.
There is, ALSO something in the excitement Of
questions coming before the public mind, which pre-
vents the Sc rous examination OF alters OF moral
duty or the conviction is felt that duty requires all
the energy and zeal which be tasked, regardless
OF remote effects, or OF the obligations coming from
the word OF God Men do conlrve to persuade
themselves that their first duty is to 60 with those
with whom they have acted, and rather than desert
them and stay from rushing forward, they will be
patakers in many things, which in the abstract they
would condemn. The same influence Of party Is
also seen and felt in restraining from doing that
which reason and observation show is demanded by
sincere honest regard for the best interests Of man
Many, beyond all doubt, would give their influence
most decidedly, and so that it would be known and
felt in favor OF good and benevolent enterprises