Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-10-17
CalmaQe
Sermon
By Rev.
Frank De Witt Talmaee, ID. d.


denim in one sex what is tolerated in
the other and the almost universal
habit Of denouncing In others sins
which we conceal and excuse in our
selves. The better way of the divine
law is illustrated from the text John
viii, ., What sayest thou?'
Have you studied constitutional law?
Without doubt it offers one OF the most
appetizing feasts ever spread in the
banquet hall Of the mental epicurean.
1t follows with unerring eye the rami-
fcations Of a governments internal or
ganism, even as a medical student
searches out the entangled pathways
OF the nerves and muscles and arteries
OF the human frame.
Constitutional law is above all other
kinds of law. The national congress
and the legislatures of the states deal
with conditions as they arise, and some
times, in their haste to remedy an evil
or to provide means for an urgent pur-
pose, they enact statute which proves
to be unconstitutional. What do we
mean by that2 We mean that there
are certain fundamental principles of
government embodied in our constitu-
ton which must not be transgressed
If a law is passed which violates one
Of those principles there is no need
to repeal 1t, because when it is found
to be unconstitutional 1t at once be-
comes void and imperative. Thus
back of all legislation stands the con-
stitution as the supreme test by which
the acts of president and lawmakers
are judged. 1t defines the rights Of
rulers and legislators and sets limits to
their power and Is the safeguard Of
national liberty.
In the kingdom of God we have also
a supreme authority. The councils Of
the churches may formulate doctrines,
make DEGREES and construct creeds and
catechisms, but high over all there is
the will Of the great King of kings.
Christ Is the supreme ruler of his
kingdom, and his word is the test by
which every dogma and practice must
be judged. Let us consider some Of
An Absolute Monarch.
First it is an absolute monarchy.
We have governments on earth that
we describe as absolute monarchies,
meaning that they have no constitu-
ton. We speak about the Russian
government as an absolute monarchy,
but it is not. There are thousands of
MI
like to do which he cannot do. With
his pistol or sword Nicholas might
slay his own children, as Ivan the
Terrible in maniacal rage killed his
frstborn son, and no power on earth
could bring him to justice. But there
$. are limits to the present cars power.
His own subjects recognize the fact.
The old Russian proverbs tell us there
are many things the car cannot do.
s Among those proverbs are the follow
Ing: Even the car gets his shoes
despatched if he puts his foot in a
puddle" The cars crown cannot
protect him from headache" The
n&xof the car can have only two
49, Even the cars vinegar will
6cz8Weeten." Put the car in the
Desert and he is a man and nothing
more 'gThe cars edicts are gooC
fofshnthing unless Gods Amen i
written on them" By these quain
aphorisms. current in Russia, do tn
people show that they realize thai
powerful as the Russian autocrat i;
n he is subject to human limitations, Xix
e the most obscure peasant in his en-
pire 1t IS well known, too, by states
men that even as a ruler he is nc
so supreme as is thought. The noble
who surround him exercise cor
straint upon him, and his agents ofte
thwart his will.
In an infinitely higher sense is Chris
the absolute ruler in his kingdom. 1
his wisdom and power he govern
withoutscheck, and his word is the lay
and life of his people. He is in trut
more than q president, more than
Iloge Of Venice, more than king, NOR
than a car. He is an absolute nor
arch in the Christian world.
significant illustration Of Christ
originality and his freedom from cul
rent principles and prejudices is give
In the gospels, and 1t may help US I
understand his attitude If we stud
the story. One day while Jesus wa
teaching in the temple surrounded b.
the people the scribes and Pharisee
tried TO entrap him. Right into tn
temple where Jesus was they dragge
n trembling, frightened, sobbing won
an who had been taken in adulter!
Right through the crowds of listener
they pushed her. Then they cried OF
In stentorian tones so that all coul
hear. master. what shall we do wit
herr Shall we stone her to death, {
Moses commanded, or shah we let h
20 free?" Instead Of Christ condemn
ing or acquitting the poor creature,
they all supposed he must do, Chri
by his actions as well as by the VOL
of lip condemned the men who we
her accusers. What was the meaniT