The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-07

The 2lst anniversary of the American Sunday
School Union was celebrated in Philadelphia on the
Goth ut. A large number of the clergy of that and
sister cities were present, and delivered addresses
appropriate to the occasion. The following is
portion of the remarks of the Rev. DR.. Johns, Of
Baltimore, as reported in the Public Ledger:
The Rev.. DIR. Johns, of Baltimore, commenced
his remarks by abiding to certain alarmists who
are continually prophesyng the downfall OF our
country. There are those he said, who believe, or
affect to believe that the means of moral and rel-
gious education in this country has failed, and that
we are doomed to see a deterioration of society in
America general sinking of the high tone of
moral principle throughout the land. Such people
attributed this prospective depreciation to several
causes: that we were ourunnng the means of en-
lightenment, and were extending ourselves beyond
the social christianizing influences that we are
flooded annually with vast increase in population
from foreign countries, imbued with all the vices Of
the Old World, and that no barriers we can erect
can prevent this flood from sinking the morals of
the land; and last, that frame of government
contains the principles Of popular influences upon
legislative action, which will extend it's demoraliza-
ton to government, prosrang its saving power,
and leaving 1t no recuperative energy.
The speaker said that he did not believe with
these birds of i'll omen, but if disposed to be
alarmed, he would not cease his abors. He read
in the Divine Book that where danger is seen it is
prudent to guard against it, and he repudated the
idea that we should succumb. That American
Christian had but poor conception of his duties to
his God and country, who, because of threatened
dangers, withhods his exertions in the conflict of
opinion now going on; and we want men to conduct
it properly We want band Of devoted Christians
to labor in the machinery of Christian enterprise.
No desparing portions We want such self.sacri-
icing men as Wilberforce, willing to rise or fall by
the rising or falling fortunes'of the land which gave
them birth.
What, said the speaker, if Europe is pouring her
thousands upon our shores have we not room enough
and to sparei trust in God that the simple truism
which regards land the refuge of the oppress-
ed may be perpetuated. | have no sympathy with
that narrow, selfish spirit which would bar the door
to the honest emigrant, or deter him from coming by
increasing the time within which he cannot enjoy
the franchises of a freeman. This last attempt is
one of the most visionary ever conceived by the
mind of man in this country. Ii can never succeed
and ought not, if it could The wonder to me is not
that the oppressed of Europe do come here, but
that they do not crowd upon us IN far greater num-
bers. say sir, let them come, and let us baptize
them in knowledge Of the Gospel truth and in the
enjoyment OF our freedom.
The Speaker said that it was our very prosperity
which caused our danger. Instead of being thank
u to God, we were filed with pride, vanity, and all
uncharltableness. This was manifest in the increase
ofProesant sectarianism which was evident around
US. l think am correct | should be glad to find
myself mistaken; but we see Christians drawn into
sectariansm from the saving truths of the Scrip
lures. This is the most subtle form in which the
great tempter lures from mankind; and we see It's
operation in all Protestant secs. Wesee the forms
of Episcopacy, Presbyteriansm, or Methodsm, ele-
waited in importance, if there no saving grace
beyond them. | admire the affection Of the Metho-
dist for his church, and claim for Episcopacy the
same degree Of religion; but let US not frter Prot
es,antism which, under God, | believe to be the
safety Of this country and substitute mere sectari
anism in its place.
The speaker said that he looked upon such insti-