, 1861-09-27

hclda his people, But with us the.ease Is diE
terent. We live IN an age more than 2300 !
years removed from that nour; We are nom
low Christ as the diVins1y commissioned
teacher and savior. Do we su1I stand OF
basis Of materialism when estimating national
strength; arc we deceived by outward pomp,
sSS,6s sS eao" ds92ea aaa By the coart of seiomoa
Alas how dtflcult It Is far true professed
Christiaus to learn what the Evangelist, Like,
80 forcib1y informs Us, "shat q greater laan
Solomon Il hesz" We are under the moral
Captain, and By the principles embodied in his |
kinedom il God now jndgtng the Christian |
world.
As q nation, We have been too material In
cur conceptions Of life and duty: Religious |
duties and obligations have been TOO little re-
Still larger; We have thought we were pros
ptriDg srleadid]y, because FeWere constantly
adding to the number Of States in the Union,
increasing cur material resources, and getting
great aGnE SaE{ f1e tbs 1a Were gas
| ing the game fatal mistake as that committed
bv the IdolatrouE Queen putting cur hope in
mere temporal things. Solomon Was no doubt
! very rich; he Was very great as men judge
retasss aaa II 4hts oy magaa
very wicked man, aud hamp1ed openly upon
lie com1nands Of God; his riches did not en-
rich the nation, but only gave the wider scope
to his ambition, and the more fully gratifed
his lusts; and Jerusalem, that had done so
much to honor It's proud king, corrupted BIZ
his example, divided by dissentions, at last
wasted away 50 that Israel is scattered over
the whole earth.
If tueh has the effect Of rebellion against
God then,-of dependence upon mere material
greatneEs,-arew We surprised to ind that under
the moral government Of God. even sharper
judgments are meted ont now? that the lack
of the elements Of true manliness are always
certain to bring people to judgment?
II that were my theme, said the speaker, !
could dwell upon our virtues as people, but
as that is not the topic OF my discourse, pass
these, and mention certain weaknesses and
faults, as suggesting occasion for fasting and
prayer.
The first is the great mistake almost at the
beginning Of our national existence, in sup
posing that slavery would die ont, if the nam.
Of The thing were hidden away IN the 7erbiagt
Of the Constitution. The principle Of oppres
sion is the same, whether called by the word
: "elRye," or By the milder term Of q fugitive
, FROM service" Organized ideas are in deadly
, collision 10 day.
2. As people, We have been almost from
the first, moving straight toward msterialism
s and practical atheism. God has been in on
: national councils, practically ignored. ".
3 seem to have forgotten that It is not agrical
ture, nor commerce, nor science, nor in
dustry, nor frugality, however useful thess
, may Be Is outward helpa-but righteousness
. that t1dzseth nation,
, s. Our public men have not been, generally
> worthy examples for the people to follow
! ingTt cost them their manhood to rise u,
i through, the drudgery Of politics into th
= places they coveted,
q We have relied too much On cur good opin
i ion Of Ourselves. Dragging in America
+ in fair way to become 3 local Institution
Nv ,I,@S %t,-s~
e on national topics, make three points: Il.
4 Their love for the people. r. The groWt
= and destined greatness Of the United Statei
q 81 How we Will whip England and France
s they don't behave Themselves. II Englan
# serds many troops to Canada, dc, we vi
. lakes With war vessels, &c. Wondezfn
{, truly! When the question in solution real
:. is, are we able to enbdue the half Of our cou,
II try that 1e in rebellion against the COVER
d ment-can we conquer the rebels Of our oW
~ land? hope we can hope Il for the We
% % fare Of the South as well as Of the North; b.
= it is certainly no time to be shaking h u ds
=, at England aud France, and defying manki1
A. geaeral1y.
1o this Dragging and went to work in the dew
t54 opment Of those characteristics which make
4 nation strong. Ii we do net learn in the
initiating position we occupy before God q
Il raan to-day, that the substance Of cl7llizah
nj is not in cur material trlumpAs, but IN LATE
d ed spiritual force and wealth, I fear we neV
a. ss shall. H5w our so-called : Great Men, .
a ,a1 dropping into obcurityi How difficult
Nd seems to be to find sturdy, practical ms
It. trne in all places, to guide our waiting
ne mics Let uB renew our Strength for the nc
~ or Of battle and the glory Of 0od-not jadgi
-. from the standing point Of the Queen Of 81
he ba, hut from the Gospel Of the grace Of G.
he ever remembering that
~ "m fares the land, to every ii prey,
as HutEe wealth. aG%uhnulatess dHAA AuEa Nee@J