The New York herald., 1876-12-25
POLITICS FROM THE PULPIT.
THE DUTY OF CHRISTIAN MEN IN THE PRESENT


HOUR.
.sThis Ia subject in which morals and hence also
Christianity, deeply concerned" said the Rcv.
John Cotton Smith yesterday, in lecture the
duties of Christian men the present political cor
rupton OF parties delivered at the Church OF the As
cension 1t is especially deserving OF consideration
at the present tme when we are about to celebrate the
birth Of great Givcr Lover and Advocate OF Peace
While under other forms OF government other public
vices reign continued the speaker, we, under re-
publican institutions, suffer IRON the turmclls
OF parties and party strife, and the virtue and the
feeling OF moral responsibility is always weaker in
cicies Of men than among individuals It follows a
necessity that public viru thereby decrease and
that II is only the instinct OF sepreseryaton
which prevents, MS lar as possible, the outbreak OF
civil wars.
CAUSES or OUR PRESENT CONDITION
Ono OF the most prominent causes ol our present
unhappy condition is the extento of suffrage. Though
actually IL is virtually universal, and through tho
ignorance OF Their political duties among many OF our
native born ctzens large number of foreigners and
nearly all tho negroes, has the prime in
bringing about the actual state oil things The unlimited
mcdiatcy alter the war may have been necessity.
bat II terrible necessity Another carse is that
wo have a currency which says one thing and means
another, and because oi It's pentiulness has led to
fearful amount Of wild speculation; IT has extended
luxury, ana account OF the unDlushing cnrontcry
with which legislators voted immense OF money
for the Denent OF few monopois has demor-
alized tho youth OF this country The fact,
also that an election Of our officers taxes
place between such brief intervals likewise deserves
consideration IN examination INTO the OF the
existing political corruption. Asac from the fact that
the country Ia kept in continual turmoil causing an
immense loss the business community, the noble
mission OF tins country Is placed at the disposal
few schcming politicians, and Is thereby permanently
impericd
PARTY UPRIGHT.
There need, however, OF tearing a downfall OF
our Institutions at present The truth is that neither
party is possessed OF great ruling idea high
principle OF morality which would lead the Anne erican
people tolerate for moment subvcrsion OF the
present state OF things by means oil civil war; The
OF right and justice is too great among
the Anglo-Saxon race 10 permit any sudden thought
less revolution and this present combat OF two rival
parties sad IL fosters this sentiment, Inasmuch
as party subjects the other to the most exhausng
tests ana and both have In consequence
perfect themselves much possible 10 get into
power, and, IL there, TO maintain themselves At
present no CHRISTIAN man should allow this great
Presidential problem TO bc settled by mere
technicsIity or thibk one moment OF solving IL by
violence. Let prejudice be removed entirely, and
calm, unim passioned inquiry take The place oil the
existing boiserous altcrcaton trckcry nnd threats OF
violence ct listen To those grand lessons Of peace
and righteousness which the Son OF God, whose birth
we will celebrate tomorrow, continually taught and
let US bear mind that the first thing essential the
lilo and prosperity Of Republic 10 peace