The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-07-11
Rev. Or. asnnstt's Discourse.

Rev. DR.. Gannstt's Discourse.
We make the following extracts from th
recently published discourse Of the Rev. b
IS. Gannett, d. D.. on "The State Of ih
County" We con6ne our selections b
tina, portion Of the sermon which defends
the right Of tho pulpi, to apply Christian
principles 10 ublic.ques,iOns. There AZ
those who do not seem TO understand tn
wide difference that exists between the pc
litical discourses Of The old Federal preach
ers Of the last generation, and sermons o
the class Of the one before Us from DR.. Gan
nett's pen. The reader will bear in minS
that we do not give these extracts in ihei
connection. DR.. Gannstt well says:
, II seems to me that, a, thi, momen, voice
should come hom the sanctuaries Of relig,
ion, addressing itself 10 The exRencies Of the
period. II only political interests were i'm
perilled or involved, the sanciuarles Of relig-
ion sho,ld not be disturbed by the intrusion
OF themes foreign from the purpose to which
they are devoted. But in the present state
Of our country. every interest dear to NAM
the progress Of civilization. the well.being
OF society, the fundamental principles OF
righteousness, the vital elements OF charac-
ter, the reality Of moral distinctions, the
meaning Of life; all that the pulpit is erec-
ted to explain OF enforce the value OF the
gospel as law, and its efficacy as an in
N ~ xrst ha
scope Of the inquiry now on every ones
lips, What shall be done That question
does not simply ask, What shall patriots do :
or what shall republicans do OF what shall
Americans Go using these not as party
names, but ia their better and broader sense.
II compete US 10 consider what Christians
sbould do.
anticipate the admoni,ion, not to tres
pass on party ground. The preacher should
not lead his congregation through the turbid
waters OF political STRIFE. IL Is said and
both accept aud approve the restrictiou.-
Bot !, IL not one OF the mos, lamentable err
rors into which people can fall. iha, they
refuse TO take such subjects as demand our
present consideration out Of the warfare OF
temporary inieres,si Whai,quesiions that
lay hold on the frs, principles OF personal
duty and social order; questions that relaie
to the very existence d liberty, and the pre-
servaiion OF governmeni,-,hosem mutually
suggestive ideas and mutually dependent
facts; questions tina, embrace great moral
issues Ito be treated ~ mere portions oil
party policy, and be dragged from their
majestic importance TO become the materials |
out Of which ambition shall construct The
steps by which il may climb to eminence
No, no Upon such questions the people
should disown all ties but those which bind
them 10 Justice aud honor.
There should be no consent OF party to
the commission OF crime, or The Perpeira,ion
Of outrage. Any party should be ashamed
Of completely with brutal violence; every
man should hasten 10 disclaim sympathy
with an assault on the safeguards CT freedom
and the rights Of humanity. We 90 behind
the divisions which preferences for this or
tina, man, or this or that measure creates,
10 the truths on which the institutions that
we all value rest as their only support, when
we call upon our hearers 10 discountenance
the substitution Of injury lor argument, or Of
brute force for legal restraint.
Because the Church neither receives the
patronage Of the State nor attempts 10 con.
troll the State by any direct action, IL seems
TO be thought that the Church and the State
have nothing in common as IL tie truths
which nave built up the one were not the
basis Of the other. Every question tina, en-
tiers into the history OF civil government has
q moral and religious side. Does n war with
England, or with any country, cast It's 81
gan,ic shadow over our future prosperity
The statesman or the private citizen, who,
in forming his opinion upon the proprieiy OF
such a conflict OF national forces, leaves out
Of view the antasonism between war and
the spiri, of,h gospel, omits the mos, i'm
poriant element OF a correc, Judgment.
Is the extension Of slavery beyond the
bounds within which its noSious influence Is
now felt, attempted! That any one may de- |
termine upon the right course fsy him 10
pursue In reference to this subject, he mus,
lake into account the ELECTS OF such an IN
siituion upon the character alike OF the
master and Of the slave. Are the use oil
deadly weapons, and rssor, to dastatdly
violence, encouraged by the example OF men
holding seats in the national Legislaturel-
The morality Of the land, surely. Is not bound
TO keen silence, lest 10 should NEEDLE with
matters that do not lie within its province
for what amidst all the forms Of human
wicsedncss may be exposed by the religious
teacher, IL such conduct must pass without
hi, rebukei Even il Il were true that the
ordinary business Of government, had no re-
licious connections, whenever selfshness
and passion become dominant influences,
when the sancii,y Of law Is condemned and
the essential rights Of iJeemen are invaded,
when rapine aud murder are the methods
used to adjust political differences, the Chris
tan who does no, speak in behalf Of iighie-
ousness is disloyal TO his Master.