The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-07
AGEGlCAE FREE CHURCH.

Rev MIR. smyih on Liberties of America''-
The Twelfth OF July and the Charlottesville
Westfela Disaster-How Liberty is TO BE
PrcservcG-Deiamation of Character and
Politics.
In the American Free Church. University Build
Ing, yesterday morning, the Rev. Charles b. Smyth
preached on The Liberties OF America taxing his
text from James l., rs.
Events OF a startling character have recently
occurred which should receive comment In the pull
pits Of the city. The press here at home has dis
cussed them extensively, and when the files of
foreign papers reach us It viii be found no DOUBT
mat these occurrences have been criticised all
Europe. Since The 10Th of July what have the clergy
been doingf number OF them away from
their churches, enjoying themselves at the seaside
or frustrating IN the country, but their pupts are
flled, and besides. many ministers have not yet
lett the city. Were there
SOME GREAT POLITICAL STRIFE
going II would be found that the pulpits would
ring with the subject; but this most serious ques-
non OF liberty is utterly neglected. In considering
III the abstract the subject OF American liberty we
see how harmonious are the principles engraited
In the Declaration OF Independence and constitution
of the United States i'll comparing those princi
pies with the teachings Of the New Testament the
harmony shines out conspicuousy. II we
have law ~ all it should be
LAW OF LIBERTY
otherwise II could not be perfect. Human law is
perfect only IN far as 1t conforms TO divine law.
In order TO act the dictates OF his conscience
man must have fun liberty he must be able ID say
~ himself that he is
FREE TO Perform WHAT GOD COMMANDS.
The man who acts against his own conscience acts
The part OF a slave The principles embodied III our
national standards correspond with the liberty
r.nfiy ha I haua colac
liberty does not consist in RIGHTEOUSNESS. 1t is to
be regretted That RIGHTEOUSNESS Is spread much
ana has seized so great part Of the nation. Some
perity for wealth always brings ease and repose,
and tends 10 make It's possessors indifferent 10 Su-
preme law. American liberty is not evidenced in
The NONCOMPLIANCE characteristic OF our people, IN
the openness OF vice That prevails IN the large Cities
Nor does III CONSIST the privilege that
accorded, by which
ONE MAN CAN KILL OR MAIN ANOTHER
though from recent occurrences this latter idea
might unreasonably be enterI aimed abroad. Nor
does II consist i'll the custom that part OF the
communily can cry down or write down another
parL Politicians always enjoy The greatest freedom
IN serving the party to which they belong but 1t is
amenIable TO think what libels and SANDERS Will go
how grossly the character OF respectable men will
he Injured merely 10 render them obnoxious to the
notable case OF thls Sort But he should remember
lie well as for others, and until the decision
Of The courts there should be
NO DECISION IN TIE PULPITS.
But afler election tlIne when lhere Is no longer
need 10 malign, the foul sayings cease, and the
courts seldom appealed TO. Every American
cilzen resident has right TO his good name: 1t
Is his right That ne should not he exposed To be
Killed or manned in the streets, or that when he
goes on board ferryboat his life should be In dan
ger These purse-proud heather owners OF ferry
boats and other public cOnveyances should feel
sympathy Tor Their fellow men, and should remem-
Der that some time or other their own wives and
daughters might be IN danger. IL is true that
TIE CATHOLIC CLERGY
admonlshed their docks before the recent riot not
p.rfI - vi
must be admitted tnat their action was not in
cord with the Church OF Rome. That Church forces
obedience to lis doctrines. History aLtesS this IN
st. Bathoomewis Day, IN France: in the Smithfeid
massacre. III England; the masSacres In Pied
mont III the Inqulsltlon OF spain and IN the thou-
sands OF
DEATHS FOR REFUSAL TO OBEY.
On sIoe, too-that oil the Protestants-it should
not he forgotten that first days OF Protestant
ism prosecutions were rle enough in England
Times have changed and common sense rules now
than before, and this is owing TO the civil and
gious liberty given 10 the people In this repub-
lie Here every Is free equal, free To speak
ms mind and 10 publish his opinion and TO worship
God according to the dictates OF his conscience. We
should preserve this liberty and guard 1t from every
lnbldl0uS ioe.
Is 70 see that it ia maintained, not by force OF oy
blood but 10y persuasion and example; by tolerance
and respect, by enactlng laws that VIII protect
life and property, and by placing SUCH safeguards
around our ferries and other public conveyances
that disasters Ike that which occurred ON sunday
last snail become impossibties This duty Is OBJ
pous aud incumbent upon all.