St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-07-03
SPIRITUAL FREEDOM.
Rev. E. r. Edwards Sermon
ICES on a Fourth Of July
Text.
Battles OF Patriots q nd Les
sons of the Wa r Of Inde-
pendence
Compared With Christiani-
tvs Fight Against Sin and
Death.
Gov. Altgeld CaustiealIy CIR it.
ieised--Best Work Of Good
Citizens.

Day Ill the Kingdom of God" His text
was Proclaim liberty throughout all
the land and unto all the inhabitants
thereof" and he said:
Who is there that loves our flag and
country that does not feel thrill of joy
as we approach the birthday of our IN
dependence? Who can sweep his vision
over this land of the free and fail to
appreciate how great ond magnificent
ali heritage is ours? How base that in
gratitude which ignores the gift of
those whose lives were forfeited in OBJ
talning the freedom we as nation now
enjoy! As [ read the words of the
text memory recalls an experience over
which L love to llnger.
1t was in the city of Pniladelhia. |
was passing through Independence
hall. AS l was leaving that place my
attention was directed to a bell that
hung In silence above my head. No
explanations were necessary. As | con-
templated that hero and veteran of one
hundred years, feeling of reverence
and awe took possession of my soul.
Deep craven on Its IN etal surface was
the language of my text. No words
templating the old Liberty Bell"
You know how we'll it fulfilled these
words of inscription. The swinging of
its tongue and pealing notes of Its mel
ody tolied out the story of a terrific
struggle that called this country into
the joys of national freedom. 1t is
becoming that at this season we should
Pause and listen
to that music. My purpose at this time
is not to euiogiZe the heroes of 'T6. L
want to carry the spirit of their strug-
giles and sacrifices into the spiritual
realm and make them picture to us the
battle between vice and virtue. sin and
righteousness, hell and heaven, Satan
ami God. AS servant OF Jesus Christ,
feel that we must not neglect to en-
phasiZt claims i'll connection with the
day we love to celebrate. The history
OF the Revolution IN '76 for the emanci-
patton of thirteen colonies should he
but ladder upon which we climb to
view the liberation of the world. The
servitude of one was blessed when COM
pared with the slavery of the other.
One brought temporal blessing and free
dom, the other brings eternal happiness
and liberty. One released men from a
human yoke, the other releases us from
the CALLING powers of darkness a
year of jubilee that never ends, Let us
notice some principles and facts i'll the
one that shine with brighter and hoIieI
luster in the other. Prominent among
thSe | find:
FirSt--It is a cause in which our whole
nature is woI thy of being enlisted.
When you consider the position of
our fOrefathers; when you become
aware of the oppression visited upon
them and see the injustice and wrong
bearing them down as with ieaden
weights; when you note the tyrannical
DEGREES that made them little better
than slaves, you cannot wonder at the
revolt that took place nor cenSure them
for the price they paid in blood to secure
immunity from so deplOrable a condi-
ton. God never designed that man
should Cypress his fellow man, We are
bound by tie of universal brotherhood
to common Father Whosoeyer seek
to sever that tie opens the fioodgate of
divine wrath and shall miSerably per-
iSh. Every movement that has for it's
object the elevation of man wins the
smile and approval of God. When the
notes of old Liberty hell startled the peo-
pie into active preparation for the en-
suing conflict. we know what was the
power that moved its iron tongue. The
loyal hearts of an enthusiastic people
were the power that caused it to swing,
and back of that was the omnipotent
manu- Vi II Vas d CdUSS HOly anu
mighty enough to enlist the
Allegiance of Providence.
This being true, can we not appreci-
ate the magnitude of cause that has
for its object the freedom of the i'm
mortal soul and the Liberation of world
from the damniug and corruptiye and
prostltuting and ensiaving power of sin.
This freedom Is as much higher than
the other as the heavens are higher than
the earth. Hear what our commander
in-chief says: IF the Son shall make
you free, you shall be free indeed" No
liberty, national or individual. is to be
compared to that freedom which is pro-
claimed by the Son OF God. 1t is state
Of soul indescribably joyous, perpet-
ual jubilee.
Another fact would have you notice
in relation to the revolution of blood as
compared to the revolution of grace is
Second-The freedom enjoyed was
obtained at great sacrifice and cost.
1t meant TO the heroes of the Revolution
such privation and hardship and suffer
ing as few of us would care to meet.
More than that, it meant that many
would never return to their loved
ones, but that the survivors
must tell of the awful death met in the
attempt made to free our native land.
IN the depth OF winter, with but Scanty
covering for their bodies and starvation
looking them in the face. we can only
wonder that they were willing to pay
the price of their endeavors to be free.
What shall we say when we consider
what Christ and His servants endured
that they might give to US our spiritual
freedom. He and they sealed their mis-
sion with their lives. For the independ-
ence our souls enjoy this day price has
been paid that greatly exceeds our pow
ers of computation. 1t took the bright
est Jewel Of heaven, and, wrapping it
in mantle of flesh, sent it among the
SONS of men. Captivated by the beauty
of His character, blessed by His power,
charmed by the power and simplicity of
His teaching, humanity did not then
realize the benevolence of God, and the
JOY that might have been theirs. Filled
with desire to lead the children of
men into gracious salvation and the
highest liberty, Jesus Christ was re-
jeeted of men. What sorrow and pain
such blow at His mission must have
cost him. That which we hold most
dear-life-was freely surrendered to
emancipate our souls from
An Awful Bondage.
AS another lesson taught us by refer
erence to the celebration so near at
hand l mention, third. 1t has given to
US great, holy mission. As nation, it
is ours to give the world an example of
what prosperity shall follow nation
that protects the rights of the indivi-
dual and looks upon man as entitled to
the highest freedom IN the pursuit of
life, liberty and happiness. Our mis-
sion as republic is to welcome the
sons of men into land where justice |
reigns, and where they may behold !
enthroned in the hearts
of the people, and our national life en-
our gratitude to Him who has |
made and is making of US great peo-
pie. This result we have not reached. !
La many instances we have done |
that which is worthy to bring |
upon US the Judgment of God. |
HOW well our mission is under |
stood can be seen by in accidents that |
day by day. You can call to |