Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-09
for God. ID, The rights of sovereignty are de.

for God. %, The rights of sovereignty are de-
rived not from the ndivdu simple and solitary,
but from the relation OF membership in which be
stands. Political rights are derived from polit-
cal belng, and politics is the art of living in soce
ty. Political rights really natural rights and
not franchises conferred by the State.
| 81, This sovereignty is not in mere will as
arb itrary and capricious. 1t has character and
| instituted oflice-a law given unto it a right
eousness set above it, by which its own right is TO
be measured and tried. Here is the true reason
| oil the sovereignty of the majori;y-not in mass
Of will, nor physical force, but in the deep moral
purpose which may not improperly called divine.
The voice OF the people is the voice of God, when
the uttersnce of their deep and heartfelt purpose
| their living conviction. But the voice of the
mob is the voice of the devil because 1t is law
less force and brute will, without conscience and
without character They govern best who are
| themselves under government and responsibility.
4th, This kingship grounded in morality, pro-
ceeds 10 law. 1t is TO find, establish and vindcale
right; to give law, TO judge by law, to execute by
law
9Th, There is continuity of life and purpose in
this sovereignty. 1t has an obedience according
to a promise and faith-thst it has a covenant,
and the nations that keep it shall inherit The bless
ing, and they that are not of it are as lsbmsi-
child of the desert, unto this day. 9th, This
righteousness is to be wrought out not by restrain
ing human freedom, but by delivering it from
foes, usurpers, and false guides, that il may fol-
low the law Of its own being. True manhood and
right must agree. SO this kingshp is medatoria
working out the eternal prayer of human society
for mans side "Deliver US from evil" and for
Gods Thy kingdom come aud will be done on
earth"
Next, we consider this priesthood-tbe atoning
office. The peculiarly of this priesthood in hu
man society is that the priest and the victim are
the same-Just as man is both king and subject.
As priests we offer not only the things of another
but our own. Our suffering is bound up with
others as our commanding is. The same ministry
Is here: only this is by sacrifice and expiation in
which lies that deep mystery of human life that
one shall suffer for another, but for the sake of all
Ibis is peculiar to man. We see nothing like it
among animals. There one may suffer instead Of
another, but not for the sake of ALL and that mys
terious "All" includes the rictim. There is the
marvel and the glory OF this surrender Of self to
society. The lie we live is not to self, and does
not end in self. We suffer for the sins of the race,
and our suffering is accounted of both in the re-
demptlon of the race aud in the final Judgment
passed upon ourselves.
Seeing now the nature of sacrifce-that il ia
suffering and surrender measured by the sake and
not the sum of it, we must observe several things
LIST, There is still such a thing. 1t is law that
they who seek their life shall lose it and they that
lose it for Chrsts sake shall find it. Christs SAX
was truths sake-man's and Gods. So they who
for this reason set aside the sensual earthly life,
shall lind it again unto life eterndl-the glory
goal and Immortality of lfe-all that life was for
Mere suffering is no virtue. 1t is the ministry
|
of precious things, the frst-born and without
spot. 1t is of the very best in us we are called
upon to offer for the sake Of something outside of
self. Sd, This sacrifice is accepted. All sacrifice
was not ended with the death of Christ. But
those who are in Christ enter int his obedience
and sacrifice as well as his triumph. He showed
how suffering is made sacrifice. Symbolism is
passed but the thing symbolized abides. 4th, 1t
is an eternal priesthood. In the continuity of hu-
man life we see the imperishableness of true en-
desvor. To live in others is the noblest part of
human life, and 10 the last and highest station it
is the consummate joy, not to have most satisfied
self, but to behold greater than self to which we
belong.
The personal address to the class, was to enforce
the high view of the part they were about to take
as citizens, the high dignity and sacredness of
these offices were brought home. The p ed iction
was made that they would be called to great tests
in the eventful times that shall fall in their gen.
Grafton. The class was complimcnted for their
obedience and loyalty.