Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-05-30
4 POLITICAL SERMON.

BY invitation of the pastor, Rev. S. II.
Lee. the members of Post Sedgwick, G. A.
r accompanied by Tyler Camp, s. of ".
and the ladies' relief corps, attended morning
service at the Congregational church last Sun
dav in body. Mr.: Lees sermon was of
two.fold character, having reference both TO
tbe soldiers memorial day and TO the day of
prayer appointed by the Women's Christian
temperance Union. His text was taken in
Romans XIII, 1.-THE powers that be are or
dained OF God" These words of Paul, he
said, are but the statement of self-evident
fact. but IL is one which men are not apt to
roalize except in times Of distress and peril.
Among the audience present, he remarked,
there are probably not less than 100 gold
catches and not one dirk, pistol or other
weapon of defence. There is n feeling of
safety throughout the community. When
two parties disagree, they appeal to a third
party-the ldw-whioh is presumed at least TO
establish equity between them. To whatever
branch of the church we belong, we worship
God in freedom. All these things are posi-
bic because Of the existence Of the state,
whose office il is to afford protection. HUI
man government had its origin in that feeling
of righteousness which exists deep down in
every human heart, and hence ia of God. We
talk about the farmer producing wheat; but all
that he really does is to prepare the ground
and SOW the seed so do earthly rulers some
times think that they direct the affairs of
government but higher ruler is ever watch
ing and over-ruling for his own ends Should
one visit Washington and watch the daily pro.
ceedings Of those whom we have delegated
TO make and execute our laws for us, he would
hardly suspect that God rules. The thought
which dominates all others, and which con
trolls the action Of our legislators upon every
subject brought before them is-not, What is
right or, What does the country need ? but,
Who is to be the next President? or, How
will my action upon this or that measure af-
feet most for the good of my party and the
defeat of my opponents? And so, weeks of
ideness or party manBuvrng drag into
months, and no action is taken upon ques-
tons of the greatest public moment And
vet, whose is the fault? Our Congressman
are in reality men above the average of their
constituents in learning and ability. Ninety
nine out of 100 of them are selected from the
upper fifth of society. They are in Washing
ton because the people have sent him there
and they are responsible to the people for
their acts. As showing how governments
arise from popular necessity, the preacher
sketched the early history of our own couu-
try and Paul. idea of the necessity of a civ
il government as expressed in the text. il
the more forcible because uttered during tho
reign Of one of Rome's worst tyrants-Nero
second lesson to DO gained from the text
was that civil government belongs to God, in
the sense that it was instituted to aid in estab-
fishing his church upon the earth, or, in 9TH
er words, to maintain that order of things un-
der which the church could best extend its
power and influence. So, also. the church
strengthens the state by giving it conscience
Man receives his stewardship from God
hence he is bound to do righteousness.
righteousness exalteth a nation"--it affects
the quality of its population and favors the
accumulation of wealth and the increase of
intelligence and national power.
The preacher then referred to what he re.
garded as the two chief perils which now
threaten our nation. The first is the usurpa-
ton of power and its degradation to personal
aud selfish ends by those in authority. Alb
SALON. was pictured as the typical usurper,
and as he by his deceitful words and kisses
stole the hearts of the people of Israel, so
does the modern ofhce-seeker, by his hand
shaking and affected friendship, seek the
same selfish end. That we have an army of
lO0 200 office-holders, among whom 800, 0OO,-
900 are annually distributed, and whose
places others are anxious to fill, is fact
fraught with great peril. 1t is perfectly right
that man should aspire to occupy q position
of public trust and responsibility for which
be called to such an Office is honorable but
where the coveted position is obtained by
bargain and intrigue, thrusting aside all con-
siderations of public welfare and personal re-
spect, where is the honor?
The second peril alluded to is that of in
temperance. No power is so dominant or so
dangerous to our public welfare as the rum
power. Its statistics are appalling. In their
annual cost, the educational interests of the
country represent but one-tenth that of the
liquor interest, and the religious interests but
another tenth. Intoxicating liquors cost the
country $780, 600, 900 annually, and yield a
revenue Of 800, 900. An interest so vast
must needs have potent influence upon leg
islstion. Accordingly we SEQ the opposition
awakened in Congress by the measure long
ago introduced providing for the appoint
ment OF a commission to investigate the
methods and results of the liquor traffic. The
American hog has had his commission ap-
pointed, and been vindicated. We have had
a silver commission, a grasshopper commits
sion, and SO forth but this measure of vast
ly greater moment is refused, and Congress
stands at the beck of the wickedest power
that stalks to-day. 1t was evident to the
preacher that neither political party would
take the lead in temperance reform but, for
one, he would never cast his vote for q candi-
date who would oppose temperance legisls-
ton. In concluding he remarked we know
the history of Rome and the other nations of
antiquity, how they rose, hourished and fell
through their own vices and corruption. Is
that the inevitable course of empire Must
it be always 80 ?
The service, which wss opened by the sing
ing of the doxology, was appropriately closed
by the congregation rising and singing MY
country it's of thee" followed by the bene-