New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-30
PUBLIC PRAYER THE STRONGHOLD or
PUBLIC PEACE.
SERMON BY THE REV. DIR. MORGAN.

carner of Houston street and Broadway, 10 large
grsgation. The general subject Of the discourse wa,
Public Prayer the Stronghold of Public Peace
which was considered with special reference 70 Tie
present agitated condition of affairs in Republic.
The text from lst Timothy ID chapter, the fir4
and second yerres
exhort therefore that FRS Of all supplIce;icns prsyns
ntercessions and giving OF thanks be made for All men Y
kings and for all that are in authority that we nay Lead qa
and pesoeable life In ell godlinsss and honesty"
For all mem" Such is the comprehenaiyeness u
our faith s large and divine philanthropy, il meces
in the rst clause of this apostolic exhortation. IL
opens TO unfenced fullorbed realm for the
cise Of our highest prerogatives az Christian men, ana
with generous negaton Of self 1t invites U.s. hrSt OF
all whenever address Father in heaven either
with the voice of application of prayer or of in
tercession, or Of Thanksgiving first Of all 10 remember
the whole family of man, and present their manifold
interests at the mercy seat. And is the spirit a
prayer of any heart oblation, in such perfect har
mOny with the Being to whom it ascends, as when 6
encrclee tho world, and bears upward TO heaven an
the souls which earth bears round the sun. Dr. Moe
gan spoke next Of the wonderful goodness Of God,
which covers the earth the waters cover the sea,
and descends literally upon millions, M upon oDe
man; and without distinction of latitude, OF region,
OF language, complexion condition, our Father u
God over all, compassionate and bountiful,
end not willing that any should perish. Upon
the aOid and unchangeat lie basiH, the evident.
impartial universal interest of the Godhead, Father.
Son, and Holy Ghost the obligation in the text was
founded. In a common nature, In common mercies, m
common sorTowe, IN common Savior and sanctiler,
We were TO learn the duty OF common prayer. Thn
generel duty in no way precludes the obligation u
special interession, and therefore the Apostle pro
c'eds to magnify the claims OF separate class and d.
rects lift distinct plea for civh rulers-hrs for
the world, and then for its rulers.
This bounden duty rested first upon the very grave
responsibilities which laid upon them in their ex-
allied office. The period said the speaker of rrespon-
sble kiDgsbp and Of lswles defiant msrule, Is rap
idly disappearing from our world, never TO return
There two lights in the moral irmamenta greater
aud lesser; the light of Christianity, and the attend
ing light Of civilization and their piercing brightness
has driven desposm to it last refugees 1t cannot live
where there il light. No rampant Of strength Will
it. No proscnpiye right, no royal title. I'D
frowning menace, or bfistling of armed men,
sacre, or communicating bull, or murderous war,
will again secure liberation TO another Nero,
ans;her Ava or another Tarquemada, beneath these
heavens. Henceforth the men who govern, mus, give
account; for the eye Of Jealous world s upon them,
well as the frown Of an indignant God.
After enumeration OF the complicated responsible
ties Of rulers involved in the and divided interests
committed to their care reference was made 10 the far
extending influence of their acts While the ruler u
the nation Is summoned TO act deelsivey, he IL to
suit not present advantages alone or immediate pop
ulsr sentiment, but he conronts poSterity. The spec
tTal image OF coming times and generations yet 10 be
rises to view, and gazing nquirngy into his eye bids
him look well 10 after effects and possible consequent
ard therefore before he answer the present
he Is bound 70 10 forth into the future, and consult IN
oracle whOse voice " silence. Added 10 this Is the
forced suddenners of his action. He has meet
igences which, in their solution and settlement, may
stamp him either a. the dellyerer or the cnrsa
of his oountry-exigencies which allow bss
little space for reflection which are anomalous wish
out precedent, but which mu-t BE- met without delay.
Especially Is this the Gaze in confederacy Ike our
own, where the whole Land II converted into his
ell chamber, and whore, before bis own Judgment
be formed the judgment of millions has been waited
his ear peIpleXng and precpitatng Executive action
Your ruler, be 1t remembered IL not intrencbed behind
bastions or within castle walls He cannot emporue
Oft hood ~ Ia alla
bis own peoples one OF them. He must feel the i'm
pulse which they send up 70 him. And since they
honor him neither for his pedigree nor his power bua
for the dispatch OF biz administrative action then what
he does must be done quickly done wisely, and WELL or
be Is overwhelmed in tempest Of dissatisfaction
I'll you, beloved, suchpn individual deserves srongD
ereesson al the Throne of Heavenly Grace. Oh you
would pray for friend upon the deep toesed by raging
and contrary winds, beaten back by resistess waves
drawn upon dangerous coasts, touching and grating
upon sunken rocks torn hither by eddes, or swep<
thher by tides and caprcious breezes 10 pray ye for
iin-the man At the helm OF State-for he
tides troublesome and tenipestuOss sea, conyused
aud angry evermore with the wild tornado Of passion,
or the sullen blasts Of sectional jealousy and alarm
After auding 10 the temptations surrounding the poal
ton of the Chief Magistrate, DIR. Morgan closed fol-
lows; We pray for ourselves when, instead of royih
ing and traducing our rulers we honor and sustain
them with earnest intercessions. We pray for tho
smiles of Heaven, for the of calings, for
the Joy OF our honies, for the increase and advance
ment of our faith, when We bow ourselves down ard
entreA the Father Of Spirits tor the sake Of His ado
BILE Son, TO Undue our rer goyernors, and all princ-
pal men, with the spirit Of wisdom and understanding
of knowledge, and of gbosty strength. There never
has been period since we took place among the
nations q the earth when prayer mighty and prevail
ing seemed nearly the last resort and refuge. \,
us from dismembeInent and wreck-prayer for
country, The purchase and heritage Of our fathers,
prayer for our rulers, who occupy their place aud
tear up their name and power; PRAYER for our-elves
who may Yet understand the value OF our blessings
when they are departing forever. We are ali SIN
ners; we have all acted peryen-ly and gono
astray IL IL not for me 20 separate any ca,.
or individual, and say that he or they
have been specially defective in moral or
religious strength. II not for me to say that we am,
IN peril through the treachery OF pngodly men ON The
contrary do not believe that Christian integrity AMI
cody sincerity are dead in the land or thai the bull
waiks OF our peace and happiness are utterly over
thrOWn' bot that we are sinful nation laden with
mlquny, ana thh we are suffering for transgre.-
sions Tor our pride, vaingory our malice and UNI
charitableners, let no douby And therefore, my
brethren do call upon you to the eXgencies Of
hS nouf MIN Quo soeinnity. am no aarmist. Nor
without tne stronget persua ION thai all viii be well.
cannot stretch my belief or imagination TO that
point, when, az Republic, or Church, We are to
stand apart from each ether divided ii not belgerent
Ana when name one Church in this connection ny
heart burns with the dee pest and most fterna ankle
~ ror rhe has been golden bond Of union holding
together IN holy and beautiful concord all sections and
the very beet men OF the hand. Aye her arms have
sh'r'led The whole Conedency, binding all in dear
ioNe aud ieilowship. Even from the beginning she
ias gathered her children together from every State
'leice~, and oouns,led them Ia wisdom, and
QlpluIs,sl Ihe4p In No,1h and tha ~.