The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-04
=. II, sTooKToN,s AppREss

~ e''~ VI uiC piOScutusioH VI
in behalf of certain ladies, to the "Herophant
Division No. 81, of the Sons of Temperance of
Pennsylvania; delivered in the First Presbyte-
rian Church, Northern Liberties. Philadelphia,
| June 2, l845.
appear before you to night, in discharge
ofa pleasant duty; and yet, my performance
of it requires an explanation, which may be
given delicately and, trust, without offence
even to the most sensitive.
| 1t is known, perhaps, to some who are pre-
sent, that am not member of this, or any
similar association; that, under suitable cir
cumstances, am in the habit Of stating some
objections to such institutions and, more
over, that while carefully refrain from any
disparagement of their professed objects or
denial of their success in promoting them,
am, at the same time, convinced that there
is "a more excellent way" and engaged in
an effort to make it known.
1t was suggested by your committee, gen
tlemen of the Order! that might address
you, on this occasion, simply as citizens. But
the principles on which | proceed, in prose-
cution Of the plan to which have alluded,
are not peculiar. They are common to all
who duly honour their God and respect them
selves. They are the two great, distinctive
principles ofour Holy Religion: one them
essential to Divine Glory, and the other, to
human dignity. The first is, that The Bible is
the Word Of God-the second, that Pripate
Judgment is the Right Of Man.
Remembering these noble principles, there
fore, am under no necessity to address you
merely as citizens. am at liberty to ad-
dress you as 6 Sons of Temperance" do
address you as "Sons ofTemperance." In
your social capacity, you acknowledge the
principles have stated" You revere the
Bible, as the Word of God. You maintain
Private Judgment as the Right Of Man. In
SO far, we are one; and, although am not
numbered with your chaplains, you will join
with me, am sure, in this hearty invocation
that the God of the Bible, may SO enlighten
our Private Judgment, that we may clearly
and fully understand the obligations Of the
Bible, and be directed to the best methods
of fulfilling them all.
Permit me, gentlemen to fclicitate myself
a moment on the position now occupy.
In this house of our common Father, am
honored with the place of an elect brother,
between these, my sisters, on the one
hand, and you my brethren, on the other, to
transfer from them to you, with every assur-
ance of the tenderest and strongest sister
ly affection,this present 0 ia new and beautiful
copy of the Good Old Book-our Fathers
Book-His Ownand Only Book-the School
Book of Earth and the Home-Book of Heav-
en--the Catechism of Time, and the Prin-
cipia of Eternity.
Permit me, rather, gentlemen to congrat-
ulate you, and this whole assembly, on the
obvious and glorious fact that the Bible is
this moment the first power in the world.
Great Britain may be styled the first power
among states and Roman Catholicism may
be styled the first power among churches !;
but, believe me, brethren !-beleve me sis
ters believe me, one and all, the Bible is
before either, and before both, before all
states and all churches combined, the might
lest, and most majestic and magnificent au-
thority under heaven.
The high counsellors of every State on
earth, pause in their deliberations. State af-
fairs are not managed as easily as they once
were. strange voice has called new ele-
ments into action, and variously disposed
them in a thousand commanding forms.
Old political energies are overawed. What
the rulers would, they do not, and dare
not: while what they would not, they do,
and cannot but do. What strange voice is it
that thus disturbs them To them only, it is
strange To us, tits as familiar as our moth
er's voice. 1t is the voice of the Bible.
The high corpsellors Of every Church on
earth, pause in their deliberations. Church