National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-15
THE DEAN OF CANTERBURY.


My Christian friends, II seems right and
proper thing that the Evangelical Alliance
should hold Its closing meetings in this city,
the capital Of this great empire, not because
our object Is to influence nations, for we do
not come for any such purpose, but because
the principles that we come 10 uphold arc
those by which God gives his blessings to ma.
tons. And though we look to individuals
nrst, yet those prlnci1 les and truths, which
have their origin In the Bible, and which are
taught us by tho Word of God, aud which
are the foundation Of all that Il best and right
In our private llfc--thcse principles are the
principles which exalt q nation, and which
alone give stability to Its institutions and en-
able II 70 perform those duties which God has
marked out for IL. Aud naturally we cannot
but be interested when We SEQ here that oil
feelings Of difficulty have passed away be.
tween the two nations.
Il would be impossible for II To- DO other.
wise. When children have grown up there
may often DO some little difficulty between
them and the parents Of the old house, but
the parents cannot help loving them; and
when these children attain to great age and
position Il fills the hearts OF the parents with
10y, and so there can be no great envy DO
tween US. Your glory Is our glory. But WI
do not look to you simply as child. You
have attained not merely TO your manhood
but you arc In possession Of such influences
In the world that there are many problem,
which We In the old country could not work
out without an opportunity for solving them
which you possess; and l am quite sure we
all come here as commissioners. There are
many necessary differences between us and
you. We have Inherited state Of things
which has sprung up among you.
You began your national life In country
with great RESOURCES, possessed OF every Gle
mcnt Of wealth, of manufactures, which are
are as important and valuable as Is agricul.
,ural richness. Besides that you have grown
with unexampled rapldity. All the over
peopled nations Of the world have been send
Ing to you large proportion Of their popu-
lation, their nerves and shows aud thews,
because here you could give them . hope
which they could not have In the Old World,
q prosperity which their country did not hold
out to them. And you have carried with you
that strong love for freedom which Is with us
In the old country. Though we live under a
different form Of government yet We are also
free people.
There is no country In the world where a
minority Is allowed more boldly to speak Its
sentiments, and ySI , have brought these same
his rights; he is not oppressed by any power
about him. He may follow that which be
may consider right as long ~ he does not In
any way do harm or wrong others. That OF
course Is necessary bond and limit of lib
erty. A man has no right to do thrt which
10 prcjudiclal to those among whom he lives.
But 50 long as he not In the way Of Others,
80 long we give that man liberty. We do
not share his feelings or opinions. OF course
when he does prejudice TO other peoples
rights, our rights are to be preserved. Well,
then, you carry with you this strong love OF
liberty. Having here every element Of graf
ural wealth, you are ado TO work out many
problems which would pe impossible in the
old country.
Il seems 70 DO the LOB Of England to found
many nations. Here ere yourselves; north
OF you that great dominion of Canada, Aus
traiia, New Zealand, and another great en-
pire In India. And IL seems As " England
sent out her sons TO take possession OF va
rious portions Of tho w0rld-portions not
filled with the human race. And as It has
has heavier responsibility than this country.
believe Christianity largely depends upon
IT, that the mind shrinks back from esti-
mating what this nation must DO before
another century has passed. Not O century
has elapsed since the time the Declaration Of
lndepenco was signed at that town Of broth
erly love, where we were received 80 cor
daily yestesday.
II has been very short time therefore,
that you have had to do great work here,
and what may DO your condition when an
other century has passed away There are
many different influences, but we feel that
with your vast continent you must hold a
foremost place, and that Christianity among
the vast number Of millions that must people
this continent. ] say Christianity must rest
much upon you; and pray that that evan
gelical religion taught us In the gospel NAV
be the only sure foundation Of that Christian
life, and that Christian life the only surs
foundation Of your national prosperity.
National greatness, unless Il Is consecrated
TO Christ, may DO no blessing; but conse-
Grated TO him, II you are Christian people
working for God and for Christ, and there
fore for the good Of man, you
will have the greatest blessing
that ever has existed upon this Garth,
marching in the very forefront Of civilization,
Joined with all the other members Of the Eng
family, In advancing and strug-
CLING and laboring for everything that Ia best
In freedom and civilization, and everything
which constitutes true progress which Is really
Tor the benefit OF the human race. And bo-
Iieye there Is no true progress that has not Its
roots In Gods holy word; and that the Evan
yelcal Alliance has come here because we
Hoped and thought that by combinations such
n this we might do something TO promote the
,ause Of brotherly love, and might bring out
nto somewhat larger prominence the great
icss Of these truths that We all combine In /,
folding this session.