The New York herald., 1870-04-04
CHURCH OF THE FREE LOVER 8.

ssSally, Come Up''-ReIlglons Lessons From
tho Fifteenth hAmendmcnt-SermOn by the
Rcv. O. T.. Frothinzhani.
There was an unusually large attendance yester.
day at Trenor's Lyric Hall, Sixth avenue and Forty
second street. where religious instructions are held
forth every Sabbath for the edihcaon OF an appre.
cative assemblage. The little organ having pcaed
forth in harmonious strains, good quartet having
done justice to few appropriate selections and an
earnest prayer having been said by the Rev.
Mr.. Rrothingham that gentleman preached
sermon the subject being "Reigious Lessons from
the Fifteenth Amendment He said that the ratiGca-
ton of that amendment provided that no citizen Of
the United States should have the right vote de-
MED, irrespective OF race color previous state
1t was an in our history, and day to- be noted
In the history Of the whole world. 1t was one step
further In the line OF human progress, one moro
point realized for the establishment OF pure demo.
cratic government and society. 1t was of immense
moment 1t was measure fraughs with hope;
fraught, too, with socitude and anxiety. 1t was
full OF
GRAND ANTICIPATrONs
for the future full also OF suggestions OF care and
thoughtfulness and labor and duty. 1t raised Ques.
tions OF the most kind for the statesman the
politician, philosopher, the social reformer 1t laid
upon them all the stress OF duty as 1t did also upon
the enlightened, the faithful the right-minded and
tho true. 1t was not his purpose consider any Of
ter raised oy the measure IN tnat nalI
would be discussed on their religious aspect.
They were there as In the sight OF Deaven, and lie
wished to oner lew thoughts upon the religious
significance oil the great measure OF emancipation.
First t led them to consider honestly and sincerely
the view OF human nature upon which our Institu.
tlons restcd-the forms OF society and the forms OF
government. il tney asked Roman Catholics Pro.
testants ina people Of other religions what they
thought OF human nature, they would reply that Il
was
ESSENTIALLY CORRUPT.
Some would say that human nature was partially
depraved; others would say 1t was incapable OF
managing Its own spiritual affairs. Sucn opinions
grew up ut time when Bucn theory was plau.
sible-when civilization was so low that evil men
posed to be OF divine Inspiration directed by God
Tne ruler ruled by divine right; the King was
thought to De something above ordinary m0rtas.
The magistrate might be QbandOUsd as q
man, bnt as o magistrate he could not do wrong.
In tact 1t was not doubted that the King was In.
no more King, no more state churches. IL never
occurred to the American people that the President
held his place by divine right, that the
LEGISLATORS Az WA5HlSGT0N
were gifted by grace from Heaven; that, moreover,
me heads oI bureaus had received their commits.
uuerrliS they were criticised their characters
were challenged and their actions were brought
TO Judgment. lt would never do to say
tnat the republican government the democratic
system OF society," rested upon depraved human 10.
ture. III there was drop OF incradicabe poison in
their making laws, building institutions, erecting
sfstems OF societies or or governing themselves. it
was absolutely necessary That the theory upon
HA;oh institutions rested should pe revised. Let ell