The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-19
Judges Feel Gravity of
Their Positions.
Corrupt judiciary Would
Cause Nations Downfall.
Sermon Preached Yesterday by the
Rev. Wallace Nutting.


Isaiah 42:4.
Our people are marked by chronic
WEAKNESS in the administration Of the
State. We wish the state well, but, as
rule, men think themselves too busy to
do we'll by it. Last week you noticed
that young New York lawyer who has
for three years devoted himself to seeing
justice done, SO far as possible In the
lower courts of the metropolis, has now
become weary single handed ana will
abandon the attempt. We feel grateful
that the genera lion has produced such
young lawyer, willing to devote three
GOOD years TO such an effort. Most Of US
say it's useless and dismiss tho matter
with a sigh.
Therein we differ from God. In the
text is a prophecy Of great Prince to
come, ordinarily supposed 10 be the
Christ, but with more probability fore
runner of the Christ, who Will not fan
or be discouraged till he have set justice
in the earth.
The seat Of the judge is the highest
seat In a civilized government. lie sits
in the place of God. The first ruler Of
the Israelites was a judge, and SO were
his SUCCESSORS. 1t was the divine order
and ARA ngcment of government-the
tbeocracy had a judge at its head repre-
senting the upper court, whence is no
appeal.
Tho nations have ever groaned under
the injustice Of rule, and the visions Of
the prophets have been full OF exulting
declarations that at last the truth should
have it's own and cases that cried for de-
cision should speedily be brought TO a
righteous end.
Some are continually pushing of into
the next world the final judicature Of
human wrongs. Ii has dou btless been a
comfort to many to feel that God would
rig ht their wrongs in heaven. But the
sense Of justice is not satisfied with thst.
There is nothing in the Bible or in a
right mind that Is willing to resign the
world to the devil, and it was not made
to te cast away. The judicial sense of
the race demands that the Augean
sta bles of the world shall be cleansed; !;
that its long delays shall cease; that the
triumph of iniquity shall meet an over
eyes are not open TO the character Of God
If we think that all the prayers of the
wronged throughout all ages will have
no other effect than to place them beyond
where the wicked cease from trou bling.
Mol Eere 10 the seats Of wrong, in the
very spots where crimes have been COM
miited, righteous reparaiion must be
made, ana the glory OF truth will never
be complete until the evil ooer falls in
penitence before his victim, or, il inn
penitent, suffers the consequence Of sin.
The judge whom God shall send will not
te discouraged till he have set judgment
in the earth. II is divine to persevere; it
is divine to believe that there will be
some last time for the overthrow of error.
after which 1t will not arise.
1t Is pleasant TO see, in the country at
large, so much to indicate that the man
on the bench feels the gravity of his po-
stiOn and dispensts for the most part
impartial law. The corruption OF this
fountain would indeed for rhode the down.
fall of the Repu bic.
But J see no reason why the system of
appointing judges by the President or Gov
ernor should not extend even to the police
courts. The spectacle OF a Board OF Alder
mem squubbling over aspirants for this
position, and only occasionally putting in
as a compromise a person free from objec-
tion is not fitted to make US proud of our
municipal system. | say person "free
from Objection" for IL there is any posi-
tion that should seek the man IL is tbat
one wherein all desire for personal advan-
tsge must be buried. However, we have
reason to be grateful that in our commu-
nifty confidence reigns, and that the cor
rupton OF New York courts has had the
search light OF truth turned against il.
We ought to be as eager to commend
the conscierftious discharge Of duty and
the honorabl record OF the worthy men
who have dispensed justice, as we are
ready TO point out the ABUSES ana abom-
inations that have crept into the courts.
IL is pertinent to make some observations
on the state of our administration OF JUS
tice. The fault may lie in the iaw,o the
legal representatives OF the State, or in a
slavish adherence to precedent, whereby
we have made void the word OF God
throughout tradition.
!. 1t is evident thut poverty works in
justice to the rerson prosecuted. If tie
courts are instituted for the protection
Of any one, that one is the helpless and
ignorant. understand that in the po-
lice court no counsel is assigned TO defend
the prisoner at the bar. The case often
demands q counsel. The title OF our Lord
Jesus II Advocate, Helper. Paraclete, that
10, the one who stands beside and sees
justice done. We presume the intentions
OF the judge are the best In the world.
But what It the testimony on which the
pri'oner IL coovicted9 Usually that of
the : olics officer who has made the ar
rest. We do not mean TO impugne that
testimony. II the officer feels IL his duty
10 secure a conviction. His reputation Is