The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-17
AMERICAN FREE CHURCH.
Rev. Charles Il. Smyth on the Late Riot.
Divine Authority for Civil and Religious
VOL ri

Rev. Charles Il. Smyth the Late Riot
Divine Authority for Civil and Religious
federation.
AT the American Free church, in University place.,
the Rev. Charles b. Smyth delivered eloquent
and logical discourse on the subject OF the late
Orange riot lie took his text from the Epls-
tie OF st. Paul to the Romans, xiv, 4-"WhO
art thou that judgest another mans servantT
To his own master lie standeth or ialleth; yea.
he shall be holden up, for God Is able 20 make
him stand" Here. III u nutshell, we find, said the
preacher divine authority for the great principle or
civil and religious liberty The relation OF the mast
ter to the servant shown ana IL Is clearly pointed
out that the servant is Independent Of all
cept his master. | need scarcely say that
THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK,
the comments Of the press thereon and expression
OF pubic opinion which mas been made have made
me choose the present subject of discourse. We
have just passed through critical time IN the his
tory or this Metropolis trial raught with Incalca-
liable good or evil for the future Of this nation. IL
was
NOT A POLITICAL QUESTION,
but one OF national and universal Christian prln.
cpie, a principle that ought to be protected by the
nag OF the United States. Neither was it ques
ton of advantage OF one kind OF religion over
another. or Of Catholic Irishmen Protestant
Irshmen, but whether The privileges should
not be accorded 10 all, whether, in short,
CHRISTIAN TOLEKArlON OR ANri-CHRlSriAN INTOL-
ERANCE
should prevail in this republic II is to be hoped
that the question Is settled forever. To the press
(wlth few eXceptiOilS), TO The decisive action or
Governor Hoffman and TO the prompt ana admirable
conduct OF the police we owe IL that many more livea
nave not been sacilnceu. AS 10 those VINO nave 1a-
len victims to TINS deporaole riot, while we cannot
but pity them We must admit that 1t was altogether
their fault; that despite the warnings gwen
them To Keep away from the scenes OF danger they
We're rasn enough TO allow their curiosity 20 sway
them, and so lost their lives. Thanks III the nrst
place to God, all honor tile press Governor
Holman and to the civil and military authorities
that the 18th or July was not q day for the metr0p0-
lis marked by dire carnage and oloodsled. And let
US not fail TO give thanks Tor the
KINDLY OFFICES OF THE CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD
who did all in their power TO quiet the passions OF
their locks, and avert the threatened conflict. A.
not the HERALD, asked, the other day. why The Pro-
testant clergy did not warn their congregations
against riotng. The answer was simply because
they knew their congregations, ana 1et sure that
no warning was required For, whatever may have
been the character Of professionalism III other days,
to-day 1t recognizes civ and religious liberty to ina
fullest extent.
In those countries where the Catholic religion pre-
walls absolute monarchy usually the form or
government, and IN Catholic countries where there
is republican form OF government anarchy gene
Protestant, or the Greek Church, only form Of
faith was formerly recognized by law, aud hence
arose prosecutions. IL was IN the reign or Willlam
the Third, whose anniversary was celebrated on
Wednesday last that religious liberation IN England
was first sanctioned Dy law.
IN TIE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES ;
mankind saw for The first time, perfect civil and
religious liberty Our example has been followed
In recent years by Austria and Italy. IL may SEEM
strange That only IN recent years should the princl
pie OF civil ana religious liberty be recognized. 10
was reserved for the same age which discovered
the application OF team, the electric Telegraph and
the steam press TO discover that all men were born
free anG equal. lt Is our duty rs individuals To
grant the utmost civil aud religious liberty 10 all.
regardless OF nationality IL Is our duty to look tO
the rising generation and see that ballots, not
bayOnets shall rule. Let that the Bibte ba
kept III common schools. Let us that no
clause guaranteeing civil and religious liberty be
torn from the constitution OF the United States. IL
follow the teachings OF the Bible secarlan strife
will disappear anu we shall live in peace with ono
another.