New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-05
XVI.
GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY.

Bat the work which gwen 10 be done N this coun
ry was great and momenOus and has been 70 constant
that matching itsst against thar work the Church under
whatever name, has realized strength. ana developed
an activity wholly fresh in the world IN modern times
II has not been ntagonzcd by that instinct of liberty
which always awakens against its work. where religion
il reUuired by law II has seized the opportunity It's
ministers and members have had their own standards,
leaders laws aud sometimes have quarrcled Hereby
enough, as which the better But IN the work
which was set them do to give 10 the sovereign Aner
can people the knowledge OF God in the Gospel OF His
Son their only strife has been OF emulation-o go
the furthcst 10 give the most end to bless most largely
the land and its future. The spiritual incentive has OF
course been supremc but patriotism mas added us I'M
pulse to the work 1t has been felt that Christianity Is
The basis Of republican empire its bond OF cohesion s
lfc-gying law that the ancient manuscript copies OF
the Gospels by Gregory to Augustine at Canterbury
and still preserved sixth century parchmens at Ok
ford and Canbridge-more than Magma Cbarta itself
these are the roots OF English liberty that Magma Chartd
and the Petition OF Right, with our completing Deelara
tor were possible only because these had been be
fore them. And In the work Of keeping Christian
ty prevalent in the land, all Christian churches have
eagerly strven. Their preachers have been heard where
the pioneers fire knded Their schools have
been gathered in the temporary camp not less than In
the hamlet town. They have sent their books with
lavish distribution, they have scattered their Bibles iike
leaves OF Autumn whore settlements were hardly more
than prOphcsed In all languages OF the land they nave
told the old story q the Law and the Cross present re-
demptIon and coming tribunal. The highest truths,
most solemn and inspiring, have been the truths most
con stanty in hand IL has been felt that in the best
sense, muscular Christianity was indispensable where
men lifted up axes upon the thick trees. The delicate
specuatons OF the closet and the schools too dainty
for the work. and the old confessions Of councils and re-
formers whose undecaying aad sovereign energy no use
exharsts have been those always most familiar where
the trapper his stream the miner In his guch has
found priest or minister on his track.
OF course not all the work has been fruitful Not all
Gods acorns come TO oaks but here and there Not
all the seeds OF flowers gernnate but enough 70 make
some radiant gardens And OF all this work and gift
has come iaentl and moral training TO the nation at
large such as II certain would not have had except for
this effort the effort for which woddnot have been made
on scale so immense except for the ncessant aim to ut
the nation for It's great experiment OF selfregulaon
The Declaration Of Independence has been the great
charter Of public education has given impulse and
scope to this prOdgiOus missionary work
The result of the whole Is evident enough. am not
here the elosi5t OF people beyond wha, facts jus
ufy. / admit. with regret, that American manners
sometimes are coarse, and American culture very impcr
feet; that tie nobes examples OF cOnsummate tram
ing imply a leisure which we have not had, and are per
haps easily produced where social advantages arc
more permanent than here and the law of hercdiy has
wider recognition. all know too well how much Of
even vice aud shame there has been In national c
how corruption has high places in the Govern
ment and the blister of touch has been upon laws,
well rs on the acts prominent officials Aud know
the reckless greed ana ambition, the fierce party spirit
the personal wrangles and jealous animositics, with
which or Congress has been often dishOnorcd at which
the ti0n-saddcI sti-has sometimes laughed IN idotic
unrCGsOn.