Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-25
TALMAGE ON THE SAINTS.
American Politics, Saint Patrick and
Saints in General DlscoErsed
on in the Tabernacle.

~NSh AbAh htAdluf AeNsl
In the Brooklyn Tabernacle last
evening Mr.. Talmage devoted his dis
course to American politics, st, Pat
rick and veneration Of saints in gen
eral. After speaking of the abuses
that exist in both political parties in
this country he said: 1t is not a
healthy sign when one party predomi-
mates over another. But we have this
consolation, that after century of
political quaking and agitation the
government Of the United States
stands to-day on a firmer basis than
ever. We must rely on the ballot-box
for our moral and financial condition.
We must stop this can't about dis
union, a solid North and a solid
South. We must raise the gran
ite walle of our great republican
fabric till its roof covers all national
tiles and till despostism is completely
crowded out. 1t is the custom with
many Americans to deride American
institutions, especially the ballot-box !;
but L say that there is no nation
where intelligence, industry and good
morals have more freedom. The longer
| live the more | love America. Travel
where | may here | live, and let us
hope here may | die for, after all, the
thought is forced upon me, after all
my travels, there is no country like
ours with its gigantic mountains, its
vast rivers, its immense plains and its
broad expanse of territory. No won
der that Columbus when he landed on
our soil fell down and kissed it. We
can wish no better for our children
than for ourselves, and let us hope we
may ever prove true to this country,
the dearest land to us. Eternal God,
be Thou the defence, the guardian and
the protector of this natiOnl
PENEGYRIC OF ST. PATRICK.
Since last we met Irishmen have
assembled in churches and at banquets
to honor the memory of St, Patrick,
the Irish apostle. Now, let me say
that if st. Patrick did half the good
that is attributed to him all the
churches may well feel proud of such
a man. Talk as you win, and say this
is superstition, but we all have saints
to bless us, like st. Mary, St. John,
st. David, st. Catharine and many
others. / pity from my heart the man
who does not feel the holy loving in
huence of some dear saint at one time
or another. There are men here
listening to me who have been kept
upright by the influence of Just
such holy beings. Think of the
dear good mother or good aunt
who has passed into the blessed world,
and say, if you can never feel her
influence. You cannot do wrong but
she chides you; you cannot do right
but she blesses you. And here let me
say that the Protestants have as many
saints as the Catholics, and they re-
we're them They call on them as fer
vently, in such endearing, imploring
terms as "St. David, my father; st
Catharine, my mother" There is nc
family here but has an aunt gone tC
heaven to be a saint. You call the
children by her name; she is, wher
in this world, consulted when the
brides toilet is to be arranged, wher
the dearest hopes of the family circle
are to be gratifed.
Mr. Talmage drew vivid picture
of the closing scenes of such a life
when the household is gathered to-
gether around the dying bed and wher
at last st. Mary passes away from al
enchanted sick bed to the "house Of
many mansions" He closed by say
ing " st. Patrick has been patron
saint for more than thirteen hundred
years but the humblest Christian
man may become like him, saint
Anything well done is done forever
May the ages to. come long keep theil
memories green. They that instruc
others to righteousness shall shine
like stars through all eternity"