New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-27
THE Duty OF THE DAY.
pY TnE REY. !. n. mi. SLnANE

BY THE REV. J. X. w. SLOANE.
The Rev. j. K. w. SLOANE, OF the Third Reformed
pTe bytetian Church, Twenty-thrd street, took his
Tex from % Chronicles, 18th chapter, 18th verse;
find all Judah rejOicsd q the OATH for they had sworn with
sSout"
The transactions recorded in the chapter were full of
instruction. A powerful Ethiopian bad invaded the
kingdom Of Judah With immense and weliap-
pointed army. Asa, crying to that God whose prov
luce it is TO help, whether with many with them
tbat Lave power, advanced against him, and
nnder the blessing Of God obtained signal victory.
Tbs the speaker remarked sgnally refuted the indel
sentiment cOntsinei in the saying sometimes attributed
40 Napoleon, but, like many Of its kind, of doubtful
origin viz: That God is on the side of the strongest
batslions, for however important to secure strong
battalioDs OF Importance TO have a ri ht-
cons causes How often in the history of the world had
weaker nations cOntended successfully with stronger
aud smaller a. m,s with those which more nu-
snerous and better appointed. Upon his return the
snonafch was met by the Prophet 0dea and by him
Instructed in the use to be made of the victory viz to
Put away dolaiTy the sin OF which they had been
ioriously guilty. They had not made i'll those days
that important discovery OF modern times that religion
has nothing TO do with politics, and that the duty Of
ministers is preach the Gospel and leave the
agemept OF the affairs of the nation 10 the rulers On
abe contrary the prophet expressly commissioned
of God TO instruct the KING in his duty. The message
was received, obeyed, and an important national
reformation inaugurated and accomplished Ii
our rulers did not intend TO hearken to
The voice Of faithful ministry this call TO fasting
and humiliation was but a solemn moskcTy. The
ri eaker remarked that it not his design TO enter
upon an enumeration Of our national sins for which
God was visiting Us with His judgments. This he
had frequently done before. None who heard him
were in any doubt to bis views OF what these were
ut all events would not be when the discourse was
closed. The topics 10 which he would eonfne himself
were Let. The proper manner Of performing all re-
igious dnties. I'd. The benefits which would accrue
fOm such IN Observance. Our duty upon this day
was TO deal honestly with God, confess all our sins.
and indulge 10 no mental reservaons-freely and
A IL g. 81 haf,
10 humble ourselves and whose favor we protested To
imTlore. On this point he confessed great fear
His fear regarding the Observance of the day did
arise from consideration OF the fact that many woud
disregard the call entirely that others would make
day indulgence in pleasure, for lest the minis
ttTs Of religion, those who placed between an
offended God and suffering nation, would fail to coll
the people 10 repentance Of that sin which more than
npy other, il the cauEe Of our present DISASTER
Doubtless many blind eyes would Be opened by the
rebellion, many lips long sealed upon the subject of
Slavery would again be moved. There would be ten
perhaps hundred to speak out boldly to-day where
there was year ago; yet there was danger lest
tie Church would yet be found uniathfal Snd the |
Snintry, while enunierating many sins Of which We |
were guilty. would omit that one which above all
Others had brought about the present deporable |
conflict. Tie great duty Of the nation /
today was repentance and abandonment Of the |
sin Of oppresson the notes Of the brazen trumpet Of
war calling the armed hosts to the conflict Of death
should lie mingled with those of the silver tumpels OF
Jubilee proclauiDg deliyeranee throughout all the |
land to al the inhabitants The reasonsw were obvious,
God in bis providence had put in our power to
do this eat act Of justice untTsmmeed by cOustita
lional difficulties Whatever doubts had existed as to
tie relation Of Slavery the Constitution none could
doubt that il was now perfectly constitutional uacer
lie war power 10 abolish ID as the best perhaps the
only means II saving the nation. He could nndet
asnd why there should be any hesitancy upon thin
poiot We had 10 deal with desperate men, our treas-
IRE was pouring ont like duEt 10 s1stain the war,
Northern commerce had been struck down at q blow
~ Southern piracy the blood OF best aud brayest
fas shed Ike wafer, the lard is full Of imentaion,
Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be
oniforted becsuse they are not Why, then, should
ne ROT strike tie Zoe In that place in which he is weak
4, and do sgaal act OF justice while we saved the
alton.
The preacher enforced this view Of what be con-
eivcd to te cur naiopal duty, will great animation
nd elOquenoe through the fest OF bis discourse, up
ol0iog in the coune Of IL the Froclama ion Of Gen.
rsnont, which, be believed, 10 be measure cal.