Year: 1862

hastily prepared after the opening Of the legislature last
Thursday with thought Of its publication


1t certainly incomplete and Defective il it shall Be
regarded by discussion Of the duties of subjects
present only the duty Of loyalty, which the
Bible clearly ebIoins-


subsequent Of Rulers viii complete
for the preen, say discussing relations
religion politics


n these scourses designed effect promote
harmony strengthen the bonds Of confidence and
and subjects, shall be less
zratefD. than s1r your k,nd appreciation Of them.


Loyalty and Eraternaly Yours,


L. CoEwIS


EPrsrLE TO Trrus iii I.-Pm them in mind
10 be subject 10 PrjHapcLiiss and PO,rers, to be
ready to ereTy good ToTk.


The assembling of the legislative department
of the government, during tie past week, is an
affair of sufficient prbiic Importance to attract
the attention of every :chabitant of these islands.
Surely no inteli GENT christian, who has a regard
for the moral as wei tie physical condition
of This people, be Indifferent to the biennial
recurrence of these seasons for the making and
revising of laws.


A proper sense Of the importance of the occa-
sion must make his first sabbath of the session
spontaneous concert of prayes' in every christian
church and in every christian household. For
who that recognizes Jehovah rs the ruler among
the nations and as shaping the destiny of
Empires, can forget at such a time as this, that
he is n prayer hearing God, and that he has not





our rulers saying by the mouth of his servant
Paul to Timothy, exhort, therefore, that first of
all supplcations, prayers. intercessions and giving
of thanks be made for all men for Kings and
for all that are in authority, that may lead
n quiet and peaceabIe life in all goodliness and
honesty; for this is good and acceptable in the
sight Of God our Saviour. Every motive, wheth-
er Of loyalty or of piety, urges US to the duty
while it assures us Of the privilege of approach
ing the King of Kings with our petitions in
behalf OF those whom he, in his providence, has
called to rule WHAT loyal subject of
the King, what alien resident who enjoys the
blessings OF a government administered under
equitable laws, could fail to respond to the
petitions which have been offered from 50 many
1ulpits and from many family affairs this
morning, that God would give grace and wisdom
60 his servant the King, making him an example
Of righteousness 20 eli who honor him as their
Sovereign; that ne would give grace and wisdom to
all the cabinet and prIyy counsellOrs of the King,
that they might in all purity and faithfulness,
with moderation and yet with energy, counsel
for the best interests of the nation, being them
selves examples of industry, integrity, temper
ancc and every moral virtue? And who has not
ioined heartily in the petition that those who,
with the assent Of the King, have the power to
revise and to enact laws, may not only be pre-
served from. meditating and doing mischief, but
that they may be diyinely directed TO devise
such measures shall prove to be for the public
welfare. and that our magistrates may ever
continue To be men in whose integrity and Wis





that these and kindred petitions have truthfully
expressed the piety and the patriotism of thou
sands to-day. Nor have any fear that you will
charge me with introducing an impertinent or
an unimpOrtant theme into che sacred desk,
when | announce my subject The CHRISTIAN
DUTY or LOYALTY 10 the gOrerHment under tChich
,re lire. For whatever crude or crazy notions
sOme corrupt politicians may entertain about
political preaching, shall not insult those who
are accustomed to worship here by suppOsing
hat ta1r. Irnn Il
whether it il my duty, corrupt rs To- be
unwilling that | should apply tn. principles of
christian morality to men in every relation and
condition in life. The duty which Paul was
divinely directed 10 enjoin upon Titus, Is urged
with not less force upon every minister of Christ
who lives under 4 constitutional government
Till this command shall have been blotted out
from the word Of God, it is not optional whether
or not we shall preach politics. The command Is
impcrative-PUT THEM IN MIND 10 be Sn6Jed TO
prineipaEseS and pO,rers 10 obey magistrates, TO
be r.Gdy 10 eUery good IrOrk- And even though !
there may be no ground for suspecting that any
BODY desires to disturb the existing order, or II
discuntented with the present administration of
affairs vet is it our duty to put men in mind
of their obligations to their rulers. that their |
loyalty may be intelligent. lt IL not enough in
any department of life. that men should be sPon-
taneOus and iInpulsive IN well-dOIng relIglon at
every point intermediates with their affairs, insist
ing upon q basis of principle for all our activity,
and demanding that Whatever we do at all, shall
be done from proper motives, not alone as unto
man, but as unto God
For true loyalty is not merely n patriotic
impulse, nor vet is 1t merely civil duty arising
out of our relation TO human enactments, it Is |
rooted and grounded in moral obligations: Ii IL
religious duty we'll pleasing in his sight who
has ordained the powers that be as terror to
evil doers and as a praise and q blessing to them
tina. do we'll. Puf you IN mind 10 be loyal then
first of all, because II rs GhriStiGH duty clearly
and repeatedly eujOined il the lrord Of God. This
motive. though seemingly presented in an arbi-
trary FORM Is nevertheless one OF the most rational
which it is possible to present. For the more We
apprehend his nature, and experience the bless
ings which flow from obedience to Gods CON-
nands, the more shall we be assured that all his
requirements founded in puT1 reason


Obviously it il the duty OF the child to obey
an expressed command of its father whether the
child can see the reason OF not


Indeed to wait in every instance to learn why
the command is given. is to act solely upon ones
personal convictions of policy or prOpriety, and
no. at all from regard for authority Precise
ly 50. only so, is it as respects our
obedience to divine commands. If the fact that
our Heavenly Father, infinitely wise and good as
know him In he has commanded ID do |