The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-07-08
FOURTH OF JULY SERMON.


The arrangements for the Sundsy
School entertainments, at the Congrega-
tional Church last Sunday evening, were
not complete in time, and the affair was
postponed The Rev Mr.. Hitchcock,
preached a Fourth of July Sermon, in
stead, taking as his text, the 1881 Psalm
entire.
He said the communion of saints, the
loving and harmonious,are thoughts that
have always been suggested by thi 8
Psalm. Words that represent the SYM
pathy of those who live together; show
ing The benefits to those who live in
harmony. But when these words are
applied to the nation, they do not lose
this application to the church. Ninety
nine years ago, we began as a nation.
The wise men of all countries foretold
that we would fail in OR attempt at
self government; but here we stand, and
all the indications are that our national
history is permanent There is every
promise now, of another century. Con-
slider what is The historic question of
all the past-the result of ali the gov
ernmentaI improvements OF all races.
Our history did not commence with the
declaration of independence, for there
had been preparations making all
through the past-away back into the
ancient times, Our nation is the work
of the prlmeval ages. Cur principles
are the beauties bequeathed TO us by
Athens and Rome. Our history is not
a single history-it is the history of
histories. All our experiences are the
dev"iopement OF their bright ideas.
We have carried out the bright Ideas of
all nations. Rome developed the idea
of love of law, he .bedience of which
prevents liberty from degenerating into
license. The breaking up and changes
OF nationalities have turned on this one
problem-tle unity of law and liberty.
The American people are to solve this
problem. Providence had been prepar-
ing for the advent of this nation The
things required were the race, the re-
ligion, and the country The Angle
oaXons furnished the race, The reforma-
ton, the religion, and America the
country. That remarkable race had
been raised for the purposes of trade,
traffic, and To be tie leaders and chiefs
of all nations. The refnrma' ion of he
sixteenth century furnished the religion
for the advancement Of the church of
God. The great reformation not only
protes ed against the Church of Rome,
but against all tyranny; aud IN this
protestant national character, God had
been preparing fer the foundation of
this nation. Europe had become set
of nationa! tyrants. Our fathers need
ed new country; and Providence
brought them to this continent which
Providence had kept hid held in re-
serve fer that very purpose. 1t was
necessary that our fnrefathers should be
shut out-cut free from the old, proud
aristocracy of the old world; in order
that they might fern original laws, and
adopt the healthy ones of England.
Thus Providence shut them out from
the influence of the old world. For a
time they were under the rule of tile
mother country; but firing of the petty
tyrannies and unjust applications of law,
they asserted their ndependence-main
tanned 1t and became free ratlen
Then came the great inventions which
have done SO muc for US and every
other nation, giving them the benefits
OF til e closest commercial association,
followed by that most wonderful emml-
grafton, that has done so much towards
hljing our lamd with strong arms and
willing hands. The effects of American
education have made all theses emigrants
Americans and not foreigners This
was forcibly shown, during our late war,
WHEEL foreign and native born citizens
~ eli n hu cid o 80 Tr,n
The remarkable development of re-
llgion is another feature of American
history. 1t had been taught that re-
ligion should be forced upon the peo-
pie, else they would degenerate into inf
deity We have had hundred years,
or religious liberty, and we have less
OF irtidelify than any of the older ma
tione. We are coming lore and more
under the infuence OF religion Tue
United States to-day is more worthy Of
being called a christian country than
almost any other country. Ore thing is
evident: God has been preparing for
the destiny of this nation. In the
light of our past history we may see the
estimate the world places upon our ma
tional worth. Our nation less exclusive,
MOIs cosmopolitan Lnan ahJ otneT
nation. We have hatred for none,
ard peace welcomes our nayies whera~
ever they sail. The tendency of the
American people is to prove all things.
ard hold fast that which is good; aud
there is in reserve for our nation, de-
gree of enterprise that is seen only ia
shadcwy form to-day. We have a most
sacred trust to keep, and the world will
hold US to . faithful performance of
our duty in the care Of that trust.