Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-12-18
CLEVELAND. SATURDAY MORNING. DECEMBER IS, 1853

Ought they not, in justice both to themselves
and US, to be allowed time to learn our language
so as to be able to form some intelligent idea of
the workings of our government, and the prin-
cples of the great political parties that control
it! How else can law be made and enforced on
any just basis. A "register law" may prevent
illegal voting, but there is a work of prepara-
ton, and time for this should be given. The
present wide range and loose regulation concern
ing the exercise of suffrage results in illegal vo-
ting, fraudulent elections, and tends to weaken
the confidence of the intelligent and good in
the free exercise of suffrage. Gods government
is perfect, we trust its laws and adore its prin-
ciples, all are perfect.
2. Ii is also Absolute. The Divine govern
ment is absolute because psrfect, and not because
of its tyranny. God hath created all things for
his pleasure. The Most High ruleth in the
kingdom of men and aPpointeth over it whom
soever he will" Nebuehadnezzar had to be
cast out among the beasts and eat grass like
the cattle for time, to learn him this lesson.
1t is to be feared that many of the powers of the
earth will have to be thus humbled before they
will learn there is "higher law" that God
exercises absolute authority in the heavens and
in the earth, and that to his laws men and ma
tions are responsible Absolute monarchy
among men is an absurdity because none are
perfect.
8, Another distinguishing feature of the DE-
Uine g0UerRmeHt is the uniUersaI exercise Of good
ness. Human powers are often cruel and Op-
pressive. They respect the person OF the proud
and wealthy, and legislate according to the
complexion and color of the skin. Gods good
ness extendeth to sll without any respect of
persons, while his mercy is over all his works.
4. Perpetuity. Human governments have
their beginning, progress, glory, and then
comes their decay and overthrow. Where are
the ancient monarchies, the Assyrian, Persian,
Grecian, and Roman empires They have
broken in pieces under the weight of their cor
rupton What has become of the ancient Re-
publ:sl They too have been swept away and
destroyed Will such be the fate of our own
country! Many prophecy its overthrow, and
many good Christians pray for its perpetuity
with many misgivings. 1t has been said that
the test of government is the men it produces.
We must confess the generations of our states
men are declining. and that demagogueism has
taken the place of the lofty patriotism and states
manship of the early fathers of this Republic
1t is contended by some that the universal en-
pire of Nimrod had elements of strength of
which our own government cannot boast, and
that the talent and craftsmanship displayed in
the Athenian Areopagus twenty Five centuries
ago, greatly surpassed the American Congress
of 1856 With the everlasting croakers who
are determined to see our government at an end,
we have no sympathy. In contrasting our gov
ernment with the ancient powers that have fall
en-, they forget that in the ancient monarchies
and republics there was no moral and religious
element. They had no system of morals and
religion suited to the wants of the people.
When our fathers founded this Republic, though
they did not enjoin any connection of religion
and the State, yet they opened wide the whole
field to the power of the gospel, by making
provisions for the free exercise of religion and
the protection given to all to worship God
according TO the dictates of their own con-
science. Whatever may be our defects or our
sins, and they are many, we have an overeom-
ing and saving power in the gospel not possess
ed by the nations of antiquity. The school
house and the church are our security But
whether our government or any other human
power shall be perpetuated or 90 into decay,
the government of God shall have no end THE
Lord God Omnipotent reigneth." "He is the
living God, and steadfast forever, and his king
dom that which shall not be DESTROYED, and his
dominion shall be even lunto the end.n "Thy
throne, o God, is forever and ever, sceptre of
righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. y
/ 5. MediGtoriGL. "There is one God and one
Mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus" This view of the Divine government
has reference to the reconciliation of the world
to himself. Christ governs the world in view
OF the interests of his kingdom, and will pun
ish those nations who oppose his reign and dis
obey his laws. Shall Jews, Babylonisns, Ro-
mans or Americans stain their hands in the
blood of saints Z Blood they shall drink. Shall
they deal out oppression to the poor and help
less! Judgments with terror shall be without
measure given to them. & For with what judg
ment ye judge ye shall be judged, and with
what measure ye mete the same shall be meas.
ured to you again"
APPROPRIATE LESSONS FOR THE OCCASION.
l. Of GrGtnude-For our civil and reli.
gious liberty. With all the defects and sins of
our land, this is the best country the sun shines
on, and we may be proud of our Institutions
and country. Our own Buckeye State, we are
proud of her. She is crowding her way on.
ward to the first State in the Union. The En-
Plre State must yield the palm, but for her great
metropolis. Our soil, climate, commercial a.,
vantages, humane, educational, and reigi OH
institutions, make US one of the leading State
of this confederacy.
The Divine goodness that has crowned tb
clrefing year. The labor of the hv sbandme,
has been rewarded with supplies for our re
turning wants. During the monetary derange
ment and financial crisis Ohio bas maintainet
her credit, and we have suffered less than man,
other portions of our country. The who'll
west is now suffering from the crash, and tina
too with failure of her crops. We can d.
without money if we have bread, but to hav
no bread or money is to pinch US sore You
lines are fallen to you in pleasant places. Som,
that hear me to-day can remember when thi
region was wilderness and few were the bless
ings of life. The good hand of the Lord hatE
led you out of the wilderness and given YOU ,
plentiful heritage Orchards and fruitful fields
comfortable homes, conveniences and blessings
OF life constitute now your portion.
For our religious privileges. We have NJ
religious despotism fastened on our conscience;s
but in the exercise of a free christianity "
can enjoy all the spiritual blessings and imm
mites necessary to perfect our spiritual ma I
hood.
2. Lesson of worship. Let us 90 first to tn
sanctuary and offer up our devotions, SheI,
our tables and refresh ourselves with the bouu
| ty of Providence. Our chief Executive. has re
commended this day, and in obedie ace to
time honOred custom as good citizens md mem
bers of this great and growing Comm .onweaIth
we should lay aside our secular pu .rsuits an
meet in our sanctuaries for approJ lriate wor
ship. Many persons on Thanksgivi ng Day, ar
all bodies; they can see no higher than tur
keys head. What shall we eat is their only in
quiry. Letus first feed our souls and then ou
bodies,
8. Lesson of benevolence and charity. Re
member the poor. Were 1 addressing cit,
congregation l would say to you all, befor,
gathering with your friends round the thanks