New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-25
THE HIGHEST PATRIOTISM
NEWARK JUNIOR MECHANICS LISTEN TO
AN ELOQUENT SERMON.

TIE REV. DIR. HoI.LIFIELD DECLARES THAT
CHRISTIANITY Is THE PERFECTION or
PATRIOTISM AND THE BASIS OF
OUR NATIONAL GOVERN
MENT
The Rev DR.. A. Nelson Hofeld pastor Of :he
Third Presbyterian Church. Newark preached be-
fore the Seth Boyden Peter Cooper, George A. Hal
sey and Eastern Star Councils of the Junior Order
of American Mechanics yesterday. His subject by
special request, christianity, the Highest Pa
triotism." He took his text Luke vii. 4. 3: He
was worthy for whom He should do this: For no
loveth our Nation, and hath built us synagogue
The preacher said in part: These words supply
with important principle. namely. that love of
finds its highest expression in those acts
which nurture the institutions OF true religion This
Centurion gave evidence of his love for the Jewish
Nation, by building house OF worship for It's peo-
pie and may manifest love for our coun-
try by adhering to. and advocating, and advancing
in every legitimate way the Christian religion which
is without doubt National faith Christianity
is the ruest patriotism and the lover Of Christ the
best and nobest citizen OF cherished Republic.
Crafty and designing men have sought by specious
arguments and n1amed appeals to make It appear
that our National and State governments are COM
pletely divorced from Christianity; but in my judy
ment such claim is false in fact and injurious In
effect
IAN this is largely historical question turn
to the pages Of history seeking light upon II. My
position is that Christianity is the religion Of Amer
ica and In evidence OF this claim refer TO the fact
that the design Of its dscoverer was the spread Of
the Christian religion. Says Irving in his Life Of
Columbus: One of the great objects held out by
Columbus In his undertaking was the propagation
OF the Christian faith When he landed at San
Salvador he planted the and took possession
of his new discovery in the name of Christ. Thus.
from the beginning. America was consecrated TO
|
him by the laws and customs of nations. as dis
coverer laid 1t the feet OF Christ that He might
reign over it, and possess it for His glory.
Il find also that not only the discoverer. but also
the early settlers of America. intended to establish
Christianity the religion of this land. and id all
in their power by their private and public acts TO
give effect 70 that exalted purpose This the
chief and animating motive which Influenced them
TO become exiles from their native lands brave the
perils Of the deep and endure untold hardships in
strange country. This purpose fully and
pressly set forth in the royal charters granted TO
the cooniss, under which they took possession OF
and laid claim to the ownership OF the land. The
Connecticut charter may he taken as fair sample
of nearly all the colonial charters respecting this
matter. II enjoned the General Assembly Of the
Colony TO rule the people so that their good life and
orderly conversation may win and invite the natives
Of the country TO knowledge and obedience of the
only true God and Saviour OF mankind and the
Christian faith. which In our royal intentions. and
the adventurers free professions. is the only prin
cipal end of this plantation
Thus We learn that it was the intention of
forefathers who originally settled this Western
world to constitute Christianity the foundation of
its religious. civil social and political institutions.
Going forward another step in the history of
these coonists. We find this purpose developing it
themselves into distinct governments for self-pro
lection. and the conservation OF the objects TO-
Christianity in their constitutional law. and shaped
their statutory enactments according TO its pre-
THE constitutions of the original thirteen States
lieve. recognized Christianity and that single ex-
ception Virginia, whose constitution
Jefferson himself But even in that state the Chris
tan religion was established by law. previous to
the declaration Of our National independence. and
the original States in one way another, united
| In the acknowledgement that Christianity was the
law OF the land The constitution OF Penns ylvana,
which may be taken as an illustration OF the others.
required each member OF the Legislature TO make
Creator and Governor OF the Universe. the Re-
and do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures OF the
Old and New Testament to be given by Divine In
He then showed that the change which has taken
place In this respect was brought about by spirit
THE Puritans DISTINGUISHED all who were not
members Of their church. and the EpIscopalians of
the South assessed for the maintenance of
man Catholics were prohibited from establishing
church But the result of the War of 70 in
which members Of the various denominations fought
side by side the opinion prevailed throughout the
land that the whole people should In justice. be per-
mitted to enjoy that freedom which the whole peo-
Changed and Religious tests We're aboshed. but our
forefathers did not intend to dissociate the State
abrogate all laws which gave to one sect OF Chris
tians the preference over others far as the pat
ronage and protection Of the State concerned.
while they still held to Christianity as the religion
of their several States according whose preceps
and spirit al their laws to be Ian and s
! preference which had previously been shdan Puri-
I nlnnUA he Sh nurn mt
the very cornerstone OF all public and private nst-
forever.
laration Of Independence was adopted: 1t recog-
nizes Christianity: It's first sentence is: We. the
paragraph reads Done in the convention in the
year of our Lord, 1851 And It further provided
form of1cai duties on the Lords day Thus the
people, through their representatives declared
"If specific mention is not made in this document
Of the Christian religion. II is because II was not
Wsose whole history and laws gave abundant ey
dence OF their Christian character ana o. the rea-
fion Of Christianity to the laws OF the land
The first amendment declares that Congress
shall make law respecting an estapishiei ~ ot
! 10 The General Government covenanted to let the
religion OF the country remain the same as IT was at
the time OF the adoption Of this amendment
ny I'm The document have seen, the people
declare that this Is Christian Nation that Christ
| he renuired 10 perform official duties upon the
Christian sabbath and then they declare that Con-
eovnt,v thus Christianity the law Of the United
states not sectarianism. not denominatonallsm nut
Christianity the spirit OF the gospel "o' any Vi US
DR.. Holiield then urged his hearers to show Their
ciospe and by carrying their religion into their
| politics.
OBSERVED TO LOSE HBR RING.
! had