The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-21
QUA NATIONAL pealLS ANDEAFETY.

Discourse by Rev. j. G. X. MilIigan.
The above was the subject OF the Rev. J. @. K Mil
igan's discourse last night in the Twenty eighth
street Presbyterian church. Taking for his text
Hosea thirteenth chapter and ninth verse-"O Israel,
thou hast destroyed thyself, but IN me is thine
help"-the reverend gentleman explained the object
he hadiin view in commenting from the pulpit on
current political questions. Corruption prevailed
everywhere in the republic morality was at dis
count and the fountain OF justice was filled with i'm
purities The country was ruled by men OF no
integrity or principle. and honest men were becom-
ing alarmed at the fearful condition Of affairs,
bad government by unchristian men had produced.
An unhealthy tone prevailed IN the community and
the Bible was disregarded by those who should be its
defenders II was therefore the duty OF Christian
pastors raise their voices in behalf OF morality and
justice. Only the other day the school trustees OF
to exclude the Bible from the schools which proves.
II any proof were needed, the deep hostility OF the
Papists to the sacred Scriptures. And not only IN
ton OF children was totally neglected The fear
ful Generalization which prevails in this
girls in saloons, gambling houses and licen-
tiousness. The Roman republic fell through
ne very same causes 'naf now rne ce
OF amusement and idleness are sapping the energies
OF the people and DESTROYING morality. The Chris
tan, honest steadfast spirit which made this
try has disappeared, and in It's place are hcentous
ness, drunkenness and dishonesty. Marriage Is
neglected. In the olden time 1.-The SONS OF men looked
on The daughters OF women and saw that they were
fair" and hence came sin and all the evils which
trouble the community from neglect OF the laws Of
nature and OF God. The ease with which divorces
can be obtained accounts for bad marriages.
II is singular fact that the New York
Times which pretends to represent the respectable
people OF the CITY, publishes an advertisement OF
house of sin In Fifth avenue. Licentousness Is
couraged by public teachers and consequently -four
isncs and RACES in the land.
Turning to the consideration OF national politics
Mr.. Migan said that the political world was so
rupt that bad men only could obtain positions OF
trust ana honor. Judges were bought and sold;
from the Executive OF the nation 10 the lowest In the
oficc all was fraud and corruption. Oncers OF the
government were like SO many VIII o. the wisps
troled by secret cabals ana unbushng bribery. The
body polite had become SO very corrupt that there
seemed To be justification for Lynch law, that foe
to liberty When people were Incapable OF securing
good government by peaceful means they were jusu-
Ned in rising revolt. Blu. no one should undertake
revolution without counting the cost and making
success certain. Revolution should never be IN the
interests OF anarchy Returning 10 the subject OF
the city government lie said that there were only
fifteen nominal protestants in Office In New York.
except In the Department OF Education, and that
these were nearly all hcuor dealers. We have gov
eminent or common scoundres, most OF whom write
their names with cross. We are standing like
houses In san Francisco shaken by EARTHQUAKES. and
are ready fall. The foundation on which we puIlt
proves 10 have been sand. Christian completely
in the corruption OF the nour is scandal and
10 fight the battle OF the good against
evil would alter the complexion OF the city gov
eminent. There IS some ACTIVITY in the cnufChcS
now. but IL is not for Christ Not zeal Tor Cod but
ambition, greed and party spirit animate most OF the
ministers in New York churches, and all were work
inc for personal ends. Free mission churches are
established apparently 10 show the poor what a nne
thing 1t Is 10 be rich. Wealthy people would not
allow their children 10 sit IN pews with those OF the
poor, and the nnchrslian spirit which actuates most
congregations ~ shown by The fact thai negro gal
cres and seats FOR poor people are IN nearly every
church. lust as If there was a respectable man.
heaven and an humber place for the less fortunate
In worldly wealth.
righteousness eNalteth nutiOn' ~ should
be the business Of every teacher OF the Word
| 10 do his best To procure good gov ernnCnr
for the people, and that therefore, the interference OF
cergymen Ia politics was Just and proper. lie urged
the formation OF great national pOitcal parry to
| rule the country Christian principles; then the
\ wicked would be cast down and tie SAINTS would
/ govern. The Generalization was as great IN Con-
gress and in the state Legislature everywhere else
Congress not long since sat on the SabDath day 70
| consider the tarln question.
| Providence placed us 10 a dilemma in the last
election: we had 10 vote for very dangerous man.
\ at the head OF the democracy, or for an ungod v
man, at the mead OF the republican party. Seymour,
though dangerous person, ~ member or the Pro.
testant Episcopal Church In good standing bat Grant
does not fear God. IL IS wen known that the Presi
| dent elect left West Point on a sabbath morning
| pome time since and came to New York, where he
| put up OF hotel. The constitution the foun.
tam OF life Ia the nation but II was impure. " says
| wrong and unchristian. We viii have to amend
| that constitution 80 once; otherwise II must b,
| trumpled under foot and totally destroyed. In III
place there viii then be free. broad and Christian
| constitution. under which this great country vii
| enjoy true freedom, pure government ana all Thu
| blessings which God win give to people who &C
| knowledge HIN a. the supreme Ruler anc King.