, 1879-05-19

case the nation would be not Christian. not even
lu6de], but simply athcistic. It would not only
be without God, but without any recognition OF
morality authorized b. belief in Him. No day
would be set apart for worship, and no day
could be secured as pcrio1 OF rest, Sc that the
moor mans blessing and the poor mans right
would practically fail In the general disorder.
Who wishes to add in introducing such a state
OF things as this? - - -
But / am reminded that the State would still
look 10 the Church rs now, and to the Sunday.
school, and to the family, Tor the instruction OF
it. citizens in morality and religion. LOOK to.
the Church, do you say! But there would be
no Church under the proposed change Tor the
State to look to-. II the State has nothing to do
stwith yice and irrelipion,'' what occasion has it
to look to the Church, and what would it say to
the Church should It attempt in any way to en-
force moral qualities upon its cit!zensa Beside,
think of the inconsistency, not to say absurdltE,
ct expecting the State to depend upon the
Church, or any OF its auxliaries, for any aid
whatsoever. Under the proposed change Chris
tianty is not known to the State, and now, after
taking this ground. do you turn about and say
that the State depends upon Whchls
no part OF it, which it in no way recognizes or
befriends, for the instruction Of its citizens in
those qualities without which no nation can
long exist3 Furthermore, the contemplated
change would make all church property taxable,
end all charitable institutions. all institutions OF
learning, and whatever else is now exempt from
taxation on tine ground oi aid to the State.
And the State in that case would practically
say to the benevolent: "Here arc nv poor, the
widows and orphans, the aged and infrrn, and
many others who are unable to care Tor them
se.' ~ uS a1,su m 4h. % hnr.in,, pd nf rrovidny
UT .neI' ne ~ ~ -; .ot,s r L;I1 shoTT
you my gratitude by taxing every dollar which
yous seueloe'tJ sApSuus .s.. - ~ raadv noor
1uu. .uolss ~ a1;1; - ~, ~ ~ ~ +he State
~ ~ ~, ~ he,,sfec,;on SHAH he ta1ed
wi; ~, 1;ns' f.Ted af,er xon are dead. and it
shn1i 4e M fant of mine # Il is not taxed out Of
ment- verv notle in ron t.. save me and others
The e4nense of erecting and inaiutaining such
{ns+j.,'t;ors- mt r vo1' 40 such noble deeds,
-hoth; Tor mid those Who are associated with
von sSal] nav dearly for your trouble.
ScccndEI|hf comnlete secularization Of the
c.vernment.won]1 discourage the fr1enas of
virtne md morality. and encourage the indiffer-
ent an5 The vir,o,,s. Powerless would be the
t.hrrch tn educate relIpiouelv, II the State with
her myriad voice. were educating irreligIously.
Ssa,;nr ~ avoid ali recognition OF religion, the
STATE would openly encourage atheism. Its
veTv nosftion with reference to religion would
hc nnblsc declaration that the State, as such
d1es MI consider moral and spiritual qualities
ESSENTIAL 10 good c1izenship,-that virtue, moral
itv. ret,oion. are well enough in children. but
nj Essential to manhood. Labor would go
trruaTd on Sunday as on any other day.
The church and the theatre would stand upon
tie same level, and neither preferred to the
other before the la": onoe1 a suca r. ands ~
OF things It IS easy 10 zee I'M s "
re'ie1on "oulo 9e paeeu ~ ..1r sna ~ ,,a
and there "otiu % aEeheaai sGsmE G w. so,.a+-n ~ .
higher QUALITIES OF mannoon, anu a9 s", .s;e
ment oi iooseness 10 !nousus. anI LUZ" o''
REGARD IN action, fearful TO contemplate.
Th1rd-Ihe experiment OF tnus tuoIouSu!S !!
seculartzng the nauon mas no saneuo1 III
history; Is at Issue WIN tne ma11ms q ue MIse,
and with the practices OF Ae entHo aFAazeo
world.
But. while thus plead for the priciple of the
legal sanction Of Sunday, rs against the propo-
sition to seGularize that day, would cheerfuliy
Owe both my voru and nv vote for the remoya.
0f ali needless restrictions to the exercise Of
nersoual aud religious liberty in connection
with fts ohseryance: The principle that Chris
ttunity is part of tue common Law Of the
-,n+;or rnue. l,n maintained and defended. No
consideration Of expediency can Justify any con1-
promise on that issue: But when re come to
the question as to how this or that person shall
spend his Sunday, incline. to advocate a very
liberal policy. know how I like to employ
nv time on Sunday, and have definite IDEAS as
tohow it is best for people generally to spend
the day; and these ideas I propose to teach and
enforce Is far as can by speech and example;
but this is all feel justified in doing, or would
recommend others to do, SO long as men and
women in their observance Of the DAY keep