The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-07-28

zens, it is identified with our country's
1t is highly proper, in my estimation, for
the friends of this cause to assemble
peacefully and orderly, as you have done
this day, to show their respect for the an
niversary of our national independence.
But says one, what has the Sabbath
School to do with the 4th of July? | an
swer, great deal; and | think it can be
made clear and plain to every rejecting
man. Give me your attention then, for
one moment, for | intend to be quite
brief) and | will endeavor to show some
reason for identifying sabbath school III
struction with the cause of civil liberty.
1t is taken for granted that the BIBLE,
comprising the Old and New Testament
scriptures, which were "giuen by in
spiration of God" is the basis Of all
teaching in the Sabbath School. Now if
it can be demonstrated that this precious
book, is the only .frne light of the world
and the sheet anchor of our religious and
political hopes, as think it can be, then
it must follow that, inasmuch as the RI
sing generation will necessarily act accor-
dingto their training, sabbath school instruc-
ton tends 10 the preservation and strength
ening of our civil Institutions. would
deem it waste of time to enter upon an
abstract discussion Of this proposition, on
an occasion like the present, and there
fore would simply call your attention to
a few facts, which are themselves the
strongest arguments that can be advanced
on the subject.
lrnaintain that christianity, which is
the sum and substance of the whole bible,
or if you please, the Bible itself, is the
"EgM offhe mOrd." Of this fact, was
forcibly and deeply reminded this morn
ing, whilst on my way 10 this place | cast
my eyes over the luxuriant meadows and
waving grain fields, which under the fos
tering care of our Republican government
bespcak the wealth and happiness of the
people. To day we feel more than or
dinarily the spirit of liberty anmaiing our
breasts. We give expression before God
and the world, to that pariotick JOY which
arises in our bosoms from the conviction
that we are free. But whence comes the
spirit Of liberty! Whence comes that
sacred fire that burns SO brightly all over
this happy country! We may trace it
first to the independence and bravery OF
the puritan pilgrims Of the Anglo Saxon
race, who landed in 1922 on Plymouth
rock. 1t was perfectly natural that men
trained in the school of advcrsity as they
had been, and made acquainted with the
inalianable rights withwhichthcCr Crcatorhad
endowed them, should spurn the shackle
of tyranny, attempted TO be imposed on
them in the unnst taxation of their colo
nies. But we must 90 still firh2r back
into the past, TO trace the progress of the
spirit of liberty. 1t is true that Thomas
Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Frank
lin, John Hancock and their illustrious
coadiutors under lis hallowed influence
declared these colonies free on the 4th
of July l776. and they together with all
the heroes and sages of our American
Revolution are Justly entitled TO our ever
lasting gratitude. But there is another
individual, who in the hands of divine
providence paved the way Tor all that lib
erty which is enjoyed to greater or less
degree on both sides Of the Atlantic. 1t
was Martin Luther, who in 1917, pro-
claimed to the world, that 1.-The Bible is
a sufficient rule of faith, and the right of
private judgment universal privilege"
That is the principle, Fellow citizens, of
all civil and religious freedom, and it is
very certain that if the Reformation Of
the 10Th century had not occurred, the
Declaration of the American Congress on
the 4th of July 1776 would not have been
made. ~
The illustrious men to whom I have
just alluded, derived their slight" from
the bible, and maintain that every man
who believes this sacred book, must
necessarily adopt their sentiments.
maintain that no man whose mind is
deeply imbued with the spirit of christi
anity can be any thing else than Demo-
craf. But | do not use the term in lis
party sense. A Bible Democrat is one
who believes that the people have the
right Of governing themselves. If you
read the bible attentiveIy you will find
that the democracy in their primary capa-
city sustained Jesus Christ as well
as John the Baptist in their reformatory
labours, for we are told that sail Jerusn-
lem rent 10 hear;" but the Pharasees and
chief priests, who were aristocratic dem
agogucs, SO worked the political wires,
that the one was crucifed and the other
bcheaded. In a short time afterwards,
however, when the sober second thought
Of the people could act, the little stone
cut out of the mountain brow without
hands, became the wonder of the world.
The British constitution notwithsand-
ing its Del Grtaia Rex (By the grace Of
God, King principle, is nevertheless a
liberal ono in many racnaotc opd oil ito