Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-02-20
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIVES AND REV. DR.. HOYT.

I1N ES AM REV. DIX. dO Il.
DR.. Hoyt, the eminent Presbyte
rian divine of Nashville, who, il
the discharge of his duties as q
Christian minister, prea ched ser,
mon in his church in that city last
Sunday on Public Honesty, has
doubtless realized the truth of the
scriptural prOverb "Speak not in
the ears of a fool for he will despise
the wisdom of thy words" The
Nashville american, of Tuesday
morning, publishes a synopsis Of
DR.. Hoyt's sermon. His text was
from Proverbs, 18th chapter and
34th verse; righteousness ex-
alteth a nation, but sin is a re-
proach to any people, He was
speaking of the duty of the Church
to urge upon the State the observ-
ance of public virtue, and that de-
parture from high rectitude will in
volve the State in guilt and ca
lamity. The points made are given
in the american as follows
l. She must point out that such a
course will incur the Odium of public
opinion, The pubic opinion of the
world.
2. That it will involve loss of self
respect. Neither man nor State can
endure this double condemnation.
Next to the bar of God, they are the
most dread tribunals as which we can
be arraignej.
3. The loss of public integrity will
lead to the corruption of private
morality. The mass of citizens can
not be expected to be better than their
government. The fountain of cOrrup-
ton opened in the seat of authority,
will, through thousand channels, in
feet the whole population.
4 Damaged material interests viii
be the inevitable result. A states
have no existence beyond, they are
punished in this world. tie shores
ble wrecks of nations, VINO, through
their less Of virtue, hsve enlsiled ruin
upon themselves.
B. To violate public justice is an
Offsnse against God. He will hold the
Common wealth to account for it's
publ acts. His mills grind slowly,
but hey grind very fine.
AdmOnished by these reflections,
let the State rise to the performance of
its duty. / call on the intelligence
and virtue of the State to assert them
selves. Let the tried leaders come to
the rescue. Let the young men enlist
in the cause. It is the cause of truth,
of justice, of humanity, of God. /
urge this duty in the name of religion,
which will be seriously damaged by
the loss OF public virtue. Let US an
ticipate bright day, the day of the
restitution of all things, when holy
Church will be embodied ia the srms.of
n spotless State.
This gave mortal offense to our
sensitive solons, and Mr.. Hall, of
Upton county, offered the follow
ing foolish and insulting preamble
and resolutions, which were adopt
ed:
WHEREAS, 1t is charged that ignor-
ance has gained possession of the gov
eminent and control of the legislation
IF the State, and that there is immi-
lent danger OF great crime being
against the creditors of |
he State and the majesty OF heaven,
" the ignorance and dishonesty of the |
of the people; and,
Whereas, Some of the ministers of |
he Gospel of Christ, in the city of |
Nashville, have felt constrained by |
'irtue of their office, as an ambassador
4 the cross, to look after the interest
( the bondholders and the rights of
eaven, in the matter of the settlement
f the State debt; and,
Whereas, the mem bers of the
louise of Representative are DESTROYS
f being informed as to the will of
heaven and the wishes of the holders
4 bonds of the, State OF Tennessee, in
eference to the settlement of this
rave question; therefore be il
RESOLVED by the House of Represent.
tiUeS, That the Hall of the House he
endered to the Rev. t. A. Hoyt, D,
J., when the House is not in session.
hat he may enlighten the members of
be Legislature now in session as to
heir duties in general, and the State
ebt in particular, to the end that said
may escape the wrath of
eaven, and that the mimi ters OF the
iospel, for whom this House enter
aims the greatest respect and rever-
nee, by virtue OF their holy office.
lay be secured once more peace and
of mind and soul. II
Soon after adopting this, some
ne with more sense than the aver {
&c in that body, saw what asses
lie majority had made of them I
lives and moved to reconsider. s
he motion prevailed, when, after a