New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-01

began. Ana We rejoice to-day III the midst OF GU
penitentl.l employ menis, that the Christianity am
patriotism Of the whole country are fast coming 10
geiher to take their stand this elevated platform
OF truth, of duty and Of mercy. Let the NaiioDa
Fast day proclamation Of our President, and hi
proclamation for human freedom stand together
they are one.
Duties In the Future, ss Christian,
and Citizens.
SERMON BY THE REV. J. C. BUTCHER, IN THf
UNION REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. si4rf
AVENUE.
Txrr-And he csusd to be proeslmsd and published
Hnevs by the decree Of tho King and he nooies
syns: Lot neither beast esrd aoca ts,te snJ
49, let than mot feed nor drink water But let
and boast DO covered with etcloth and Cy mighty Unit.
tom the violence that Ia their oaoGs-JonA Nil.
Ths preacher commenced with appropriate
sllusion TO the occason-the caamities Of the coun
try, aud the propriety and fitness Of public scknow
edgInent Of the overrung providence Of God. The
signal aud peculiar benefits and privileges We en-
joyed, rs nation, called upon US for latitude to
eur divine beuefactor, and demanded national obed-
snce and honor. But Ms pscpe We have practical
y forgotten God We have TO- ,otlsn tho great truth
that righteousness exsltsth uason, while sin is
reproach ~ any people"
Mr.. Duicher proceeded to point out in bold terms
some Of the prominent violations Of the Divine
law, 90 well as Of thosc purer laws Of national
aud social Iife which have brought our calRmi,ies
upon us 10 Judgment. First, SeLfshness-an inor-
dinats desire 10 acquire wealth, regardless Of the
means by WI cl It 10 gained, was a marked national
Gin. Not only an tho past. but to-day, amid ali our
sorrows and dangers, men seek even out OF blood
aud tesrs to WIRING the profits Of unjust gains and
corrupt expediens. Second-Pride holds con.
spicoons place 10 our national trsnsgressioDs. The
very ,l-ssings We enjoyed-ths mutuhcence OF Gods
rich eifls--had made proud OF ourselves. Eighty
yesrs Of prosperity and prog rees have made vain
and we psrtske Of the spirit OF the king who said,
IL not this great Babylon which have baildsd r.
THIS spirit mas penetrae d into the character OF tue
people, 90 that in priva,e aud public life. in Church
IN syssy ss 81 sss b.. 1prSo.sd IL.
1, has entered the halls Of the Capitol and Legs.
latures. Il has made Senators and Judges, Presi.
dent and people, alike bow before it.
Bat q specially dangerous tran erosion Of the
Divine law 10 in the spiriI Of Ambition. This un-
sancliRed desire for power-this determination to
rse and rule, regardless Of right, OF conscience or
OF conseqaencee-is Tho. Immediate cause Of our
present calamres.
Iu concluiion, the preacher made most earnest
appeal 10 bis audience 10 cast aslde these and other
sns and ~ listen So the calls OF duty. Referring TO
the duty Of al - citizens, he said: Ii is duty
now. more IMAM ~ any osuot tino III our Al1-
tory. 10 DO loydi-to have strong, unhinch-
ina. unwsvering, unconditional loyalty--loy-
ally that imbecilty cannot dscerage, that treacn-
cry caunol affect, that circumstances cannot weaken
4 no time has cplae the crisis has arisen, when We
must either DO for our country or against her.
There IL no longer neutral grounds there longer
such . thing ~ conservatism. We must DO either
ondtlonal IoyeIists or Unconditional traitors.
Our loys ally should be firm and unwsvering. Our
patriotism should not be % easy AZ 10 be- doubted. We
must resolve scqui Ourselves like men, aod not sur.
render our manhood God has given us every thing TO
make us u great aud prosperous nation, and ii
tue preservation Of such 4 country does not chal-
enge tho self-sacrifce of every man, then be de-
serves 10 become the abject slave Of any man Tho
will consent " own him. Says the Bible to Chris
ans Let your Ii, nj 90 shine before meu that they
NAV zee your good works." so We Say 10 Ameri-
cans lot your loyalty DO 70 strong and apparent that
ali uiay see il. Next 10 GVd, We owe our country
our fret and greatest duty. Unconditopal fidelity
To the Union, the Constitution, aud the Laws, We
hold 10 DO hi b., and ~ thus tiae, douply sacred
duty. No matter who 10 President, provided he has
been constitutonay elected, IL 10 our dny TO sup
port him. as the representative OF the Government.
Surrounded with unforeseen dangero aud gigantic
trials and duties, in doubt aud Don, and oven Ia
ailurvs and errvIs we must sustain the Govern
ment, with our couuses, our fidelity, and our
PRAYERS. In humility and repentance, VITA ndyiug
ally to oar Tree and favored land let us esca DIS
cnarge the duties OF Tue citizen, the patriot and the
Cnrisliau and God sUall yet redeem Tue nation aud
our starry fas snsll again float over peaceful aud
rejoicing domain of freedom oi union, aDd OF love.