The New York herald., 1869-03-01
RELIGIOUS sERVlgEs n TINS CITY.
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BROADWAY TABERAAclE.

Ine Broadway Tabernacle (CongregationaD was
literally ded last evening to listen to sermon by
the Rev. DR.. Joseph p. Thompson the minister In
charse, on 1.-THE Duty and Means Of Sustaining Gov.
~ ,nt." After the usual devotional exercises the
reverend Doctor announced for his text:-'Thou,
therefore, my son. be strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus And the things that hast heard OF me
among many witnesses the same commit them to
faithful men who shall be able to teach others ason
being the first and second verses Of the second
chapter Of st. Paul's Episte Timothy, and also the
FIRST two verses OF the third chapter Of st. Paul's
Epistle to Titus-"Put them In mind ITO be subject
to principalities and powers to obey magistrates,
to be ready to every good work. to speak evil Of
man, to be no brawlers but gentle, showing all
meekness unto all men, He said that this week
viii witness sublime spectacle almost without par
ael in the history Of the world 1t is to be wrought
by the operation Of . few simple words which were
constitution, and which carries forth our govern
ment to complete change In the persons admins
tsring M It Tns ola saying 1.-The king Is dead; long
dents and Cabinets depart, the State lives on. The
approaching Inauguration will be still more sgnif-
ernment. Eight years ago the election Of one man
according to all the forms OF the constitution was
the pretext for an attempt at the overthrow OF
government; the gigantic struggle succeeded
and untold treasure hnd life were sacrificed
for the maintenance Of the government.
power came from above. Four years ago an attempt
was made to reduce our government to anarchy; but
system Of rule in other countries, could not reach
the vital part OF our government BY blow aimed at
the life OF rts head Now we see the man who had
been the chief agent In eubdulng the rebellion
against the government inaugurated a. its chief
magistrate without q murmur Of treason or con.
IL the head Of an army but as cviItsA
chosen by his fellow citizens and his inauguration
n M Enr
this We should give thanks to God. Yet, while no
disturbance threatens there Is danger that the
excesses may neutralize these r BENEFITS Sn, The
incoming administration Is threatened by o
tations, latent opposition and excessive criticism
Some overzealous partisans. expecting too much,
find themselves disappointed; Others, desirous OF
lookout for some fault or mistake to denounce and
lukewarm friends, starting as critics, may end as
from all kinds Of men, and the people are always
divided into these three classes but neither Is the
true Christian attitude nor does either represent the
Christian position towards government From the
ethics of the New Testament we learn that the pri-
ciples which have been so ferventy adhered TO
though less urgent, and remind us OF the duty that
should govern our attitude 70 government We are
now entering upon new era as important IS the
peace may require higher wisdom than to conquer
In war, and II we desire peace we should
uphold the government and that condi-
ton Of quietness 30 much necessary. With mere
Concern. But with government the Gospel does con-
cern itself and lays down rules and makes It the
duty Of the pulpit to proclaim them. With forms OF
government the Gospel has no concern, but govern
ment as such 10 Of divine ordinance and IN intent OF
existence appointed OF God, established both by the
habit to ming away from this truth and believe the
government TO be the creature OF ourselves, while
only the details Of administration, It's right powers,
Bttuted authority The Bible Is not treatise OF
political economy and does not teach MS when, how
administered, but IL enJoins every one to pay his
duties much as to repent vf sin. The Gospel no.
that the government executes wrath on him who
doeth evil. II says nothing OF the election Of olcers,
but It commands us 70 speak evil OF no one, to he no
brawiers, and to remember In our prayers
oil In authority. But Is 1t dumb submission
that is imposedf Does Christianity shut and seal
conscience, when Il commands what IA forbidden or
forbids what Ia commanded by the known law OF
God, the Christian does no moral wrong to disobey.
But, then, the Gospel does not command violent re-
sstence though the right 70 revolution, under GER
tain circumstances, against tyranny, is not to be
at the positive. Government being OF divine appoint
ment 10 ~ subject TO the power o. God, and who
ss,s are s 70 M Of
government shall exist IN every community, and
such as come into existence are To be obeyed as or
divine sanction u n OF the soundest truths or
political science that men must live In society they
may migrate and choose the form OF society, or
eShhDiisn u new Que, Out W peFIuTm tuc duties
OF life they must live In society," which il
aboriginal with man--no mere voluntary asso-
ciaton, no contract or copartnershp-and TO do
no II Is required OF him to obey those charged
with administration OF the government, which are
the powers that be- and by divine ordinance not IN
their persons, but by virtue OF once, and whose per-
sonal character has nothing to DO with II. We may
disapprove and protest against certain measures as
81 Paul protested may seek to modify what 10 be
n desired. But duty 10 sustain government Ia not
dependent ON the choice OF rulers nor their per-
sonsi character or their measures. We may have
good reason to believe that the court or Judge be-
fore whom we TO appear for trial, In corrupt
may protest In spirit and BY woru against such
abuse OF justice and may do oil In our power to rec
t1fy this abuse by argument and public influence, or
through whatever other channel may reach the case;
but we are not warranted 70 raise mob TO oust the
rely for change on moral Influences than to re-
dnce society TO anarchy and take the law In our
own hands. We should support government BY the
cheerful payment OF tribute money; not from fear Of
penalties, but for conscience sake. Christ IN Jcrsa
lem. then under the dominion OF foreign Power by
conquest advised TO .render unto Caesar the things
that are CMsar's,r and the Apostle commands the
payment OF the tribute 70 government for conscience
TINS has ordinarily, too little induence. Men who
are scrupulous In their private and commercial
transactions show strange laxity In their dealings
with the government and think ~ ~ nothing to
fleece, outwit, defraud II and withhold from 10 what
A. due IL In the Christian rule to pay, on com
pulsion, but on conscientious grounds; and we
ought to do this more readily having bcnehcent
government OF freedom, law and order In regard
to the political ana economical regulations ~
government they should be peaccaby obcytd
BY The Christian, and not refused obedlence