Smyrna times., 1872-12-11

IN tnat q subscription 10 eCcleSlaSLcal enact me
ments was a passport to church emoument col
hypocrisy because it is easier to profess the liv
dominant opinions of the day, for secular ad- Of
vantage than to abandon ones belief. When lar
New England threw off the yoke of British tn
oppression, she did more than that, she put sa
the commonwealth established i'll its domain so
in that attitude which demanded the expung- e.
ing of the Blue laws Of Puritanism from It's WI
Statute Books The enfranchised free State Of
demanded an enfranchisod and free religion; in
tor health came to tho body so 1t found Its tt
way to the forces of the soul and vltalized W
them, not with galvanic, but with moral power, W
that has held her i'll more vigorous aud IN i
creasing life. He that would study, truthtully, I
the history Of human advancement, will be j
impressed with this idea that progressive re- 81
! ligOn demands progressive state. A further lC
glance at the history of our country will show o
this. The present century opened with n
the most violent agitation in political circles that s
has ever been known. Thomas Jefferson who v
was openly charged With atheism, became the
candidate for President. The opposition sought
to array the religious sentiment against him
the christian ministry OF the country were
appealed to by letters philippics and threats OF
| the destruction of Christianity, should one
who embraced the religious principles OF
r Thomas Paine be raised to the Chief MaglStra-
l., cy; with all this array against him he was
elected by a large majority, and so emlnently
s republican were his doctrines, so progressive
8 were his official performances that during the
e period of his incumbency the most sweeping
}. revlvals of religion occurred that had been
n known in the land. If we look abroad to-day, |
1t we may witness the vigor Of our Christianity |
lie wherever our government moves. The herads
n of the Cross are entering every newly opened
III field. China has opened her ports to our
le commerce, and the minister with Bible and
v Printing Press stands within the walls of COM
II, mercal cities Of the ElOwery Land, and preach.
| 4 Al. Il r h Sf0rC aI
e, Stripes. Japan enters into commercial treaty
rs with the United States, and ere the ink is dry
ed that signs the articles of treaty, the Christian
he Church has looked for missionaries and money
H. to support the gospel in that wonderful empire
us of souls. Our turbulent and yet down trodden
di- Indian tribes are dealt with on principles OF
in peace and humanity, and Christian agents are
lgs sent forward to console pacify and chrisanize
snt the red men of the forest. Every missionary
os- every christian agent, every teacher OF the
in religion of Christ goes forth under the broad
gh and watchful eye of the government, and IN
her name and by her authority, demands and
3: obtains protection. But let us come nearer
otj home. How intimately connected here is the
rel prosperity of the Church and the Government.
hat Under wholesome laws we have worshlpped
low God under our own vine and hg tree. Oul
,ur. property is protected, our services without IN
our terruption, our moral power solicited, and oul
me hands and hearts are asked for every great anC
test of thanksgiving and praise is raised through
,ver out the land, the act of government setting
hat apart day is but proof of our intimate rela
wi tion. If the nation is in mourning, if th'
ons State is visited with pestlence or famine, W.
bar are called upon to humble ourselves and pra!
lent for the turning away of the Divine wrath
ere and now, i'll its prosperity, we rejoice and ar
nck glad. Because of the house OF the Lord, Ou
wsv God, we will seek thy peace. Having thu
ere called attention to relation to civil govern
the ment, we proceed, briefly, to point out som
we'd of the duties growing out OF that relation, an
able the first that mention is the personal cult
nro. cation of those UirtueS 1Chich are essential
)u of tie prosperity OF our country Ihese are III
xns duStry, sObrety, justice and integrity; the
d;s are the sincWs and strength of the State, tn
nges supports Of its prosperity at home, and OF II
$ of reputation abroad; while luxury, corruption
N of venality and idlcness unnerve the pubic vigo
nos disgrace the public character, aud pave th
,aste way to general ruin. Vice, however fashion
ot Of able, is poison poured into the public cup
,lder bribery, whether TO secure place by the pu
that chase of votes, or to secure measures by tt
nm purchase OF persons, is a crime that a ma
the should be ashamed of, and a christian shou
nros abhOr as the most debaslng OF all SLAYER
,ther Inc buyer ana the Seiler m Gach case Is 10
W 50 and a scoundrel and should be scourged vii
feels the whip of public opinion from the face
oak men, In these days OF political wranghl
Ettle these virtues cannot be too strongly inslstt
ment upon. The bitterness of party feeling, owe
Il an leaping either the bounds of sobrlety jusc
lndrr both by speech and by press, is manifested
,ands most shameful abuse OF men III their ndlvl
come ual characters lor no Quiet lcdS"u IMAM I'll
n our they are opponents of party. One party ney
, and has an eye tor any good In another III
Arrest simple correction for these evils is person
I less virtue-virtue that is above corruption or &
,rnal tendency thereto virtue that is as nohest
ID in fore the world of political power, as that
upon hnanclal power-vlrtue that remembers III
and our sphere is that of benetactlon, by setting
with good example, and by performing In eve
laces. thing worthy and honorable part.
time, A second duty is that of encouraging
place. those enterprises Of the government that ha
the tendency to develope the general goc
,atcly In this, the Christian man will especially d
n,eltt. tngush himself in aiding to lay deeply a
made broadly the foundation on which poster
is the shall stand. 1t will involve the cultivation
ection a large and liberal spirit in educational a
It the humanitarian departments and seek to eleyi
rially the government by elevating every subj
lmcnt under the government.
orld's And now to conclude What day is mC
lerful appropriate for this outlook and for the
t this solves it ought to inspire than this briG
ng its Thanksgiving morning. Here in this new
d hy- consecrated and enlarged and beauti6ed temp
stence reared in the midst of developing and thru
Overn- people, in State whose government Is p
to all gressive and whose officers demand our este
ndred and love; here, under general governm'
land, whose glory is widespread, and constantly
alegi- creasing who, with the hoary mother tr
y sub whence she sprung has taught the most val
Teach BILE and sautary lesson to the world, OF arbit
to the ment without the sword, and the settlement
Office vexed questions without the shedding OF blo
>. At Here where the growing population fir
Or you other countries without knowledge of
on was government they have chosen, become
be peers without possessing our interests at he's
in the Here with a sublime vision OF future glory
flows fore us, how shall we not pray for the secuI
there and happiness of our favored land. Grow
tent of as we have grown, and developing as We h
bread developed, let us thank God to-day for Civ
hereof to the nation our President and his suboi
ncy of mates in the general government, and tor p
but to ing the Governor of Delaware, and his nfel