The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-12-11
/, VIEW

the world and reflect upon the changes and revo-
lutions which have taken place during the one
hundred years since the birth Of the Republic Of
America. There has been an uprising. not only
Of one, but many nations. Old and oppressive
feudal institutions have been abolished The
nations now breathe more free and unembarrassed.
The down-trodden millions now ENJOY social,
civil, political and religious rights and privileges,
which were then denied them. America has
performed her part in this great work OF a
worlds political regeneration. - Say not then,
what is the cause that the former times are
better than these? For thou doet not enquire
wisely concerning this" The former times
the former ages,-the former centuries were not
better than this No, in no wise The world is
not growing worse, but better; and one day in
the year is not too much or too frequent TOR a
national or a worlds Thanksgiving. Some speak
Of " lost arts, and argue that much knowledge
has persisted from among men. The ancient
Egyptians may have understood the principle OF
handling vast blocks of granite more readily than
succeeding generations. Some arts relating 10
metals and precious stones may be lost, but |
maintain that nothing really valuable has ever
persisted from among the nations, and now
to-day-the civilized and Christian world occu-
pies a vantage ground vastly higher than during
any former generation. Foremost IN the front
among the advanced nations stands America,
with President Grant at its head, who has Issued
a Christian Proclamation, in compliance with
which We are this morning convened. Not only
in his Proclamation has the President given ut
terdnce To Christian sentiments, Dut IN q recent
speech addressed to his old comrades in war has
he uttered most brave words, worthy of the head
of a great Christian Republic On this CEN
tennlal year the work OF strengthening the foun-
dations of the structure commenced by our fore
fathers a hundred years ago at Lexington, should
be begun. Let US labor foT the security of free
thought, free speech, progress, pure morals, and
equal rights and privileges for all men, irrespec-
tive of nationality, or religion, encourage free
schools, and resolve that not a dollar appropriated
go l. -
sectarian school. Leave the matter OF religion to
the family altar. Keep Church and State forever
separated Well may we feel proud to belong
TO a nation whose Chief Magistrate utters senti-
ments like these. They are noble, brave and
Christian. harmonizing with those of Paul on
Mars Hill. In no i'll defined and half-suppressed
language is America q Christian nation. If
there is a Christian nation en- earth, | claim that
America is that nation. As such her influence is
worldwide. Her Christian Missionaries and
.Evangelists are going abroad into all the earth.
They are not only going to heather nations. sus-
tanned by Missionary Societies, but some are
visiting Europe, where Il welcome is accorded to
them most cordial. Never were the heralds of
gospel truth doing more bravely their work than
at the present time. 4 careful review of the
progress of Christian ideas and sentiments, dur
ing the past hundred years, in Europe, America
and throughout the world, is calculated TO inspire
hope and confidence in the hearts Of all who are
laboring for the ultimate spread of Christianity
among ii DdtIOuo u IlC d ~
THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF AMERICA, AND THE
WORLD.
1t is in no spirit of vanity and boasting that l
would invite YOU to contemplate the Republic of
America, having. in one hundred years, increased
in population from three to forty millions of free
men, As a nation, it is a power in the world,
and never was that power more sensibly felt than
when rent by civil war. The agitation thereby
caused was felt among the remotest nations on
the globe, and the commotion has not yet ceased.
One days fighting of a Monitor IN James River,
revolutionized all the naval ornaments of the
world. Not only American ideas have proved
revolutionary in warfare, but in politics, COM
meree, and religion. The simple idea of separa-
ton of Church and State, SO firmly established in
America, cannot long be confined ;nH tern
world, but must revOlutlOnlze q ma
tions. Coming events are now casting most
ominous shadows over the Old World. The issue
cannot be avoided or averted. 1t is a most graft
flying fact that accompanying the awakened spirit
of commerce, trade, manufactures, discoveries in
mechanics, progress in steam and the telegraph,
there is not wanting religious activity and an
earnest desire to promote the cause of missions
among heather nations. AID. 1879 stands in mark
ed contrast with l775. One hundred years ago the
church universal was well nigh asleep, so far as
regards efforts for the conversion of the world.
All the foreign missionary and Bible Societies of
both Europe and America, have been called into
existence during the past one hundred years.
One century ago, only one edition OF the Bible
DaQ ever DccD puDlletcu III EhtlCL ia, liIHl DclDR
Eliot's Bible in the Indian language of Massa-
chusetts. Now the American Bible, and British
and Foreign Bible Societies are printing the
sacred volume in over two hundred languages
and dialects. Missionaries from these two nations
have reduced forty different languages TO written
forms. The gospel is now being preached, for a
witness. in almost every nation. The leayen of
eyaneelistIc truth is rapidly permeating all parts of
the globe. These are facts for which it is becoming
to give thanks on an occasion like the present
when the past century or centuries come under
review. We have surely no occasion to say,
- former days were better than these" a review
of the past inspires us with hope and confidence
to go forth and meet the shadowy and unknown
future with a firm and manly heart. Who can
predict what glorious events may result during
the coming century from causes now in active
operation? Seed has been cast abroad among the
nations of the earth which will ere long yield a
glorious harvest. God hath said by the mouth of
His prophet Isaiah, that it shall not return void
g For as the rain cometh down and the snow
from heaven, and returneth not thither, but
watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and
bud, that il may give seed to the sOwer and bread
to the eater, so shall my word be that goeth
forth out of my mouth. 1t shall not come to me
void. but it shall accomplish that which / please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto L sent
it." Such a promise or pledge as this is full Of
encouragement. Gods hand may be discerned
in the history OF America and the world. lie is
leading, not only one, but all nations forward to
a grand and glorious result: 1he stone cut out
of the mountain without hands was seen to
become a great mountain and fill the whole
world, so the Kingdom Of Christ is yet to be es-
tablished over all the earth. Whoever is upon
the earth at the end of another century TO review
the history of America and the world, will
doubtless witness marvellous and glorious results.
These results may not be unaccOmpanied with
wars and revolutions, but out of these conflicts
are sure to arise regenerated nations and a re-
deemed church. We have no occasion to enter
tain anxious fears respecting the final issue of all
lennial reign of prosperity and peace. To this
sublime Contamination now tend the converging
lines of those moral and spiritual agencies which