Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-07-08


pected on n nation that diaregards tho eternal
| rules of order and right which Heaven itself has
ordained" His final words are an humble sup
pcation to the Benign Parent OF the human
race for His divine blessings on the counsels OF
himself and his associates. And in his admira
| bic and always timely farewell address, which il
among his countrymen's richest legacies he
| thus piously expresses himself:
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead
to political prosperity, religion and morality are
| indispensable supports. In vain would that man
claim tho tribute of patriotism who should labor
| to subvert these great pillars of human happi-
ness these iirmest props OF tho the duties OF
men and citizens. The mere politician, equally
with tho pious man, ought to respect and cherish
| them A volume could not trace all their con-
nection with public and private felicity. Let it
simply be asked where is the security for pro-
perty, for reputation for life, il tho sense OF re-
| gous obligation desert the oathH which are the
instruments of investigation In courts OF Justice
| And let us with caution indulge the supposition
| that morality can be maintained without reh-
gion. Whatever may be conceded to the infu-
ence Of refined education on minds OF peculiar
| structure, reason and experience both forbid us
to expect that national morality can prevail to
| the exclusion Of religious principles"
How very nnlike, alas | the language OF the
politician, or oven the reputed statesman or the
day While Washingtona successors have in ev-
cry instance as already stated Qor which we
ought to DO thankfully paid some homage to
God, yet We look in vain among them for any
like prominence given to an argument IN fayor
of the religious life OF the nation.
And when we descend to the lower grades OF
Offices, Legislative or Judicial, how perfectly
fearful is the sight of the sinfulneBs that per-
vades them am no mere cynic, blaming for
the simple pleasure OF blaming, and unduly ex-
aggerating the evil Of our times. | am an hum
Bile and unworthy ambassador OF Christ, and
preaching in His name, I.desre not only FOR His
glory, but also for my nations welfare, that this
people should be all righteous, that what they
undertake as people to do should be underta-
ken in His name, relying upon His countennnce
and aid and purposng to magnify His honor.
Filled with this desire, and conscious Of how my
own conduct would fail to be acquitted of wrong.
doing in tho Judgment Of the all-holy Lord,
cannot but be most sensible of the grievous Of
fences which we as a Republic are daily commit
ting against Ills plainly revealed statutes.
suppose that no true patriot would fail to
endorse, at least in general, tho sentiments CON-
tanned in that wel-matured and unanswerable
Declaration which this day in '76 was promul-
gated But it is not to be denied that there is a
wide (and / fcnr growing) tendency nowadays
to press to the EXTREMIST verge OF possibility,
the principles of liberty and independence then
so briefly and yet go boldly enunciated. And
in nothing is tins tendency so palpabie as in
matters of religion and conscience, For where
as in matters OF politics there are certain re-
-trictions imposed by the Constitution and Laws
which cannot be dsregarded with impunity,
there ID nothing claiming to bear only spiritu-
al or religious character which may not be pub
licly held and propagated. 1t wonld be consid-
orod, doubtless, IAN infringement upon the ina
lienabe rights OF citizens were the Gov
ernment to interfere with the teachings of some
OF theso creeds and platforms A storm
Of scorn and threatened violence wonld be his
portion who would undertake to obtain such
legislation. And yet my own mind is perfectly
cear upon this point. viz that many of these
very so-caed religious doctrines and the as
sociations which seek to make them popular are
30 marifestly fraught with mischief to the COM
mou veal, that it is part of patriotism, the duty
of Christian statesmen, the instinct OF self-pre-
servation to nterpose any and every just and law
full ol aclr in their way before they have obtained
such hold upon the thousands who stand ready
for anything that is novel. or which conicides
easily with their natural wills and appetltes as
to eopardize the very life of the nation.
| need not tell you OF the almost countless
isms which staging in our Eastern and Middle
States and staying there long enough to Involve
their adherents in all manner ofiniidelity and n-
difference, have travelled to tho Western States
and Territories, to deiile their virgin soil with
thoir pernicious dogmas and practices, nor need
remiud you of the powerful aud defiant attitude
for many years assumed in the very heart OF our
country by tho adherents OF tlle loathsome
doctrines of Mormonism. And to-day while we
are sending our self-denyng and courageous
missionaries to teach Christs Gospel to China and
Japan We are threatened with an intro
duction into our permanent population OF
thousands from these very lands, who come de-
mauding tho privilege Of bringing with them
their heathen and idoatrous systems and OBJ
servances Thus while we are endeayorlng to
christanize China and Japan, they are doing
what they can to hoathnize America.
Some may think that l give to these things
| an undue prominence, but tell you dear breth-
| ern, that with the present legalized license in
religious concerns, the consequent laxity IN
morals, the divided state of Christianity, the
| inorlnate thirst for wealth and power which
| makes men willing to agree to almost anything
whereby they can obtain money and oilce,
| the low aud almost meaningless qualifications
which We require Of those who make and adj
minister oar laws. and the prevalence of ma
tional pride and self-complacency which would
persuade us that our country can endure almost
everything before it can permanently injured; !;
| Il tell you that with all this staring us in our
eyes, / think we have great reason to appre-
| bend that we care but little for that righteous
ness which alone exalteth a nation, and that we
| have no greater fear of that sin which is a re-
proach to any people.
| believe have great love for my country,
| and can adopt with but change of name the
words of the poet Cowper-
| "Amerca, with all thy faults
| love thee still, my country;
And while yet nook Is lefJ
| Where thy minds and manners may he foundi
Shall be constrained to love thee."
| 1t is because 1 love her that would have her
made aware of her faults and seek to remedy
them before they become her ruin.
| / believe, too, that have a just idea of the
i opportunity bHo uus iol tho
| Of u mission which to us seems to excel IN
| grandeur and benefcence anything that has yet
| been entrusted to any nation OF the world.
know, too her capacities for its accomplishment.
Marvellousy favoured by natural gifts and en-
dowments, peopled with men of intellect, and
heart and energy from all the races Of the
earth, she stands ready to do, as it would
| appear, whatever is exacted or her.
| But, brethren, she can only full
| ill her sublime mission in ono way, and that ie
by acknowledging, observing, and maintaining
| those principles OF truth, and order, and holiness
which have their source from God, and the grace
ncedful for their supremacy can come alone
from Him. Based upon any other foundation
than this all our enthusiastic hopes of future
and lasting greatness and nobility will ere long
bring nalght but empty disappointments and
unayailing lamentations.
DO it our part then, my dear fellow citzens
and brethren, to strive to conform each one hit
own soul and life to tho known will OF our heav'
enly Father III all things. Then by the consist
ency of our word and example, we may 30 re-
commend everywhere throughout the land oul
faith Ill the one only Father and Saviour ano
Sanctifier rs to give peace and joy to all withiI
her borders and to make her an ensign for al
the surrounding nations, upon which may be
read from afar the instructive and cheering
legend " Blessed are the people whose God il
the Lord Jehovah, and blessed are the folk thai
He hath chosen to Him to be His Inheritance.
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