Smyrna times., 1858-07-15

with the disturbances of the civil government
; only made men bolder in asserting their lights
and braver in defending them. These causes
also flung upon the shores of the new world
hardy, vigorous colonies of rival scots, who
dared the dangers Of the ocean, suffered the
privations of exile, and endured the discomforts
and trials of an inhOspitable CLINE, that they
might worship God according to the dictates OF
their conscience. And this determination to
enjoy their civil and religious rights, was
strengthened by the peculiar circumstances
which surrounded them, and finally led them to
cast off all allegiance to the British crown, and
declare, that these united colonies are, and of
right, ought be free and independent"
This hasy and imperfect sketch Of the pro-
gress of popular freedom shows that it is ma
tural outgrowth of Christianity. Amore clabo-
rate investigation, and protoundcr historical
research, would confirm this conclusion. 1t
needs 10 you, perhaps, no further proof.
But, let us remember, our Revolution did not
end the struggle for freedom !; it ceased to be
battle Of arms and became one Of principles.
Wherever there breathes a human being en-
saved in body, in mind or in soul, Christianity
comes to proclaim liberty to the captivcs and
the opening of the prison doors to them that
are bound" 1t will uproot every form OF des-
potism and oppression. 1t arrays itself against
everything incompatible with the comm0n bro
therhOod of the race-incompatible with uni
versal fraternity, equality and liberty. 1t will
la hoO "a On Of
munity,-it will not rudely rcvulutouzc the
govcrnmcnt,--but it will, as u divine leavcn
working silently, secretly, irresistlbly, in the
Fearts Of men, rcgenerate society aud put an
end to all political and spiritual bondage.
And just here allow me to say that, but for
the Incorporate zeal ard otiicit lis interference
Of hobby riding fanatics, Christianity would
have advanced us immensely further than we
are, towards the complete realization Of the
Declaration Of Independence.
In its diyincly-appointcd work, Christiani-
ty neither asks the aid, nor fears the op-
position Of political power Antagons;c po- |
litical factions in their i'll tempered strife,
have sought to prostitute it to their own
petty purposes; but it cannot be made to
serve faction,--it is no instrument Of mans
will. Silent as the electric fluid, and rresisl-
Bile as an earthquake, it works at the bidding
of Almighty God to its appointed cnd-thr
moral and spiritual regeneration of man. 1t I
knows neither bond nor free, master nor slave,
high nor low rich nor poo:; it throws all upon I
one platform OF alienation from God, leads ali
1.
sacrifice, one God it directs the faith and hopes |
of all 10 one common Saviour, one common .
heaven, one common destiny. The outward
distinctions between these classes it may not
directly ellect,-wlth them it has but little to
do,-but 1t will destroy the inward distinctions
and make all one in Christ Jesus. And, with /
the oblteraton Of the inward distinctions, the
outward must ultimately follow, till all be
brought to the spirit aud power Of common
brotherhood. Not that all stinctiOns-soca
political and cthno!oglcal,- shall be Oblitcratcd
BY Christianity; but such distinctions as orlgi-
nate in pride, in avarce, in u word, in sin, shall
yield to the divine, purifying leaVen, until ' we
all come TO the unity Of the faith, and of the
knowledge Of the Son of God, unto the perfect
man, unto the measure of the tuncss Of Christ"
Who can conceive what this world shall be
when thoroughly l.avencd by Righteousness
Pride, envy, revenge, lust, now WELD s"vercign
sway over the hearts of men, and sweep the
earth with misery and devastation Insliiale
ambition has covered kingdoms with sackcloth
and ashes, lcvelled cities to smoking ruins, and
stained the earth with the blood of slaughtered
millions. Malice and oppression have blasted
the name and fortune of thousands, and beggared
widows and orphans. But the day shall come,
saith the Lord, when " none shall hurt or de-
them one nation in the land and upon the mount
of Israel-and the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the
places Of the great deep--and the wilderness
and the solitary place shall glad for thern, and
the desert shall rejoice aud blossom as the rose"
The bonds of love shall bind all hearts IN per-
feet unison no cloud shall intercept the smiles
of love beamng from every countenance no
prOvocaton shall dstHrb the perpetual serenity;
no contention shall interrupt the universal har-
mony; the spirit of the Highest shall rest upon
them and God shall be all in ALL"
But perhaps we have said enough to illus
trate the intimate and vital relation Chrstan. |
ty suslains to the extension aud perpetuaton OF
evil liberty. The lessons of this subject will
be patent to all. Righteousness" says Inspi.
ration, "exalteth u nation" This alone can
give invinclble power and enduring grandeur
to government. 1t is not the diffusion Of
knowledge, nor of industry, nor prosperity, nor
power, nor even freedom, nor all together, that
will work out for a state brilliant and lmper-
shable destiny. Oh, how easy is it TO forget
the lessons of the past! Did Alexander stop to
ponder those lessons when crossing the desert
where the hosts of Semiramis dwnded to
IL Ln