New-York tribune., 1871-01-17
CHURCH IND STATE IN ITALY.

The Rev. DR.. Adams preached on Sunday at
the Madson-square Church the Kingdom OF Christ
in Distinction from all Temporal Power taking his text
from John xviii g. S Jesus answered, My kingdom il
Of this world if my Kingdom of this world then
would my servants fight that shoad not be delivered
TO the Jews; but now is my kingdom not far from
hence" During the past week, said he, there most
extraordinary gathering Of fellow-czens for the
purpose Of expressing their qualification at the compile
ton of national unity throughout the Peninsula Of Italy
What was the Of that vast assembage and Of the
interest bordering enthusiasm with which they cele-
bratod that particular eyel Surely not the simple so
lated fact that country separated from by the wide
had adjusted its political organization according
10 it's ambitions. Lively as II might be supposed
our interest in such an event would be- our sympathy
for Italy itself nationaltyIay, the fair daughter
OF the sun the land Of classic memories, the land OF his
tory and Of art the land which birth to Christopher
Columbus, the land which has quYeTed with Intense
passion from Sicily TO the Alps IN alienation OF agony
aud OF hope and "a now radiant with eXuant ioyiiyeiy
our sympathy might be with such land, and hearty
Our congratulations on her completed unihcatiOn IL
this were all then there should have been far mod
Grafton in the manner in which that interest eX-
pressed The profound aud inexpressbe interest which
is felt 10y al thOugltiul aud wellinfOTned in this
country ia Italian uluhcation, in the peculiar circum-
in which 10 has been accomplished, u explained
hy The fact that by the quickest instinct tbCv have inter
petcd that related the yitates OF our faith
10 the advancement OF the Kingdom OF Christ 10 the
great cause Of religious liberty throughout fhe world
and especially bearing upon all own prospects and
prosperity as a free and Christian nation
people in view Of the event referred TO to-dayAmerca
speaking in terms OF graduation to Italy. wish you
stcn tho voice The Founder Of your religion
wish you to understand weI that distinction between
spiritual and political pow which was made clear
ana sharp by Jesus Christ the very beginnng-a dis
tnction which, unhappiy Las been lost sight OF for
centuries, and because u las been lost out Of view the
world has been cursed and bgbted by desposms cruel
and cOntemptible-a distinction which is certain to
become more and more palpabe throughout the world
You will see the pertinence of these remarks
given this fair Interpretation: "My Kingdom"
said Jesus Christ rs not of this world; if
my kingdom OF this world, then would my
servants fight, that should not be delivered to the
Jews. To this end was born and for This
Here our Lord makes distinction between kingdom
which fights and kingdom which is governed and
"a design 10 establish political dynasty subversive Of
that OF Cesar and to Mat charge He replied, ."My king
dom is not of this world" To put any subtle occult
sense those words for the purpose OF avoiding their
obvious meaning some have labored TO do is not only
dishonest in Itself but most serious implication OF the
IL has the the world those who claim
the representatives OF the Christian Church
employed that very power which Christ abjured. They
have seized and welded the sword. They have sought
10 erect kingdom of this world They have maintained
by force by taxation by tribunals by compulsion
of every kind. They have established kingdom hch
Inv armies and castles and and crowns and an the
eginery OF military and political power and beneath
truth has fallen the streets liberty has swoOned aud
the prospects Of the human race have been obscured ia
Ia is said by thore high In ecclesiastical Office that thu
Head Of ihe Roman Church cannot discharge his spir
ual functions II dyested Of his temporal power Cannot
bishops of the Roman Church In the un..5d States
ciso their spiritual pTeIeSS:ycs without being ip
Vested gll temporal poweEd Cannot they 40 40 80 N IN
and Representaiye OF Jesus Christ rely upon llGh SIN
pie truth, without particle Of the temporal power
which our LORD dsvo%ed an anu nf reios S
IN America, and the impending dsestaDlshmeht Oh the
Church OF England, ana conciled as ioo@5: beaf III
necessity % do for ourselves Our own national ekht-
enee depends not material wealth, but on our nleiL'