Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-20


Thanksgiving Day by the Rev. Merritt
Hulburd, D. D. 1t is of special interest
because it enumerates the reforms he de-
sires to effect in this city. His text was
Acts XVII, 6: "These that have turned
the world upside down have come
hither Also" lie said:
Christianity is not an eviscerated
emasculated and invertebrate bit OF
sentimentalism, but u vigorous, asser-
tive, positive and uncompromising
principle of life. II is not an apologize
hat-in-hand suppliant asking only for
humble niche in the worlds Pantheon,
or even chief seat in the synagogue;
but enthrones itself in the holy of
holies, and says: "Thou shalt have no
other gods before Me" 1t claims not
merely the Sabbath and sanctuary, but
every day and the market, the exchange,
the polls and the halls of legislation. II
is not restricted to any sphere, is not u
coordinate branch of any government,
nor paramount with any authority, but
absolute, universal and eternal. 1t is
not local nor limited, but like the at
mospheTe that enSwathes and the light
that Eliminates the world. 1t has II
pillow for the aching head, an unguent
for the broken heart, splints for the
bruised reed and q screen for the smok
ing flag, but it has also scourge for the
pollutors of its temple and an angel
with a flaming sword keeps the way of
the tree of life. The thought of many
has restricted it to the passive virtues;
but ii it rejects the sword Of Peter it
Keeps the lightning glance Of its Lord
at which the soldiery ran backward and
fell as dead, while the sword of con-
science battles itself in the heart of an
Annanias and Sapphira. 1t is gentle
enough to play upon the heart of Lydia
as sunshine on II rosebud, awakening it
to beauty and evoking its efllorescence,
but it has power enough to smite the
brain of Saul with its storm of glory,
and make Felix tremble ON his
throne. 1t asks no alliances,
seeks no support, consents to no
7 compromises. Its war, ceaseless, resist
| less, relentless and to the end is against
evil; its weapon-the good. You thought
the good mild, easy going, tlaccid thing;
no, it is God writ lougl 1t does not put
any rockers under the throne of the uni
verse, nor enscone grandmotherliness
into il. 1t is absolute unvarying eternal
{. righteousness. 1t is inspired by the most
relentless hate for, and armed with the
most reSistless weapon against the evil.
II has healing and help for humanity's
hurt, but it can only be by separation
from the evil, for that it will burn with
unquenchablo fire. The issue is not
doubtful, it may tarry, it may seem to
waver, evil may seem to overcome, 1t
may entrench itself with use, enlist ma
jorities, ally itself with government, fill
its Golfers with gold, even coerce or
cajole the church into silence or co.
operation, but Christianity impregnable
as against force unconquerable by
4 armies and unapproachable by bribery,
and independent of organizations will
prevail, for He must reign until He
hath put all enemies under His feet"
II is a force not defined by territorial
limits, estimable by material resources
or measurable by show of hands. I'm
pregnable, invulnerable, immortal, they
have flung it into the furnace, but the
smell of the fire was not in its robe, TO
the den of lions, but they recognized
her royalty and cringed submissive AZ
her feet. Evil has stretched the incar
nate good cross, but it has trans
formed that cross into u throne, seized
subject from the adjacent cross and
carried him trophy of its sovereignty
of its universal triumph. We may re-
sist and rebel, but we only dash our.
selves against the thick bosses of Je-
hovah's 5uckler-
For right is right. since God is God;
And right the day must win,--
10 doubt would he disloyalty,
To faltGr would be sin.
know it seems often very otherwise,
and so doubtful the result the evil as
well as good has its votaries, its priests
and prophets, and many Of the adhereats
of the sacred good are faint-heerted,-
Careless seems the Great Avenger,
History's pages but record
One death grapple i'll the darkness
TwiXt old systems and the word.
Right forever on the scatfuld,
Wrong forever on the throne
But that sCatfold sWayS the future,
And behind the dim unknown
Standeth God Within the shadow
Keeping watch above his own,
Now it should be noticed that | have
used the term church but once, and then
not as synonymous with Christianity,
but rather in opposition to it. They are
neither synonymous nor synchronous,
neither coincident nor conterminous.
So that by Christianity l do not mean
church, the church, nor even all the
churches. The invisible and spiritual
Church of Christ exists as uu actual en-
tity, but as to its limits and constitu-
encles is known only To Him to whom
the secrets of mems hearts are known.
The church as an organism more or less
embodies the spirit, incarnates and
manifests the life of Christ, and is
christian only in the sense and to the
degree that it does, while at the same
time it remains a human, and therefore
fallible institution. History verities
this statement, for the church has been
pagan sometimes, venal, cruel, syco
Notwithstanding the pregnanthinges
fawning." The light within her has
sometimes been DIM, and sometime:
darkness, again she has become al
glorious with the indwelling presence
of her Lord, has put on the beautiful
garments of righteousness, and CONF
forth ''clear as the sun, fair as tht
moon, and terrible as an army witt
banners"
Because men have not Disseminated
between Christianity and the institu
tionalism, rituaiism and ccelesiasticisn
which have called themselves by thu
name they have charged upon it tn
myriad crimes committed in its name
They have seen Alexander the vi
the head of the church. and Alya and
Torquemada and massacre of 81
Bartholomew Day celebrated with Il
Deum, multitudes hailed to dungeon
rack and flame, witches burned and tn
good men ostracised Pro Christie c
Ecclesia and Ad Majorcm Del Glorianl