Year: 1860

matter Of duty to God and the State, in tn
I general aspect of it, must speak more a
] length.


, It's quite evident that Christ did not thinl
, that duty 10 the State was inconsistent witt
duty to God. They might render unto Cesa
the things that we're Cesar's, and at the sam
, time render to God the things that were Gods
, In the application of this principle to our owl


times it is to be observed that there are tw


capital errors The first is in the idea that
man who attempts TO do his duty to the Stat
1 must need plunge into the muddy and turbu
lent waters OF political partisanship, and neg
lect his duty to God and the second is in tn
supposition that the man who would do hi
duty to God must leave the State out of th
question, and if need-be precpitate himself up
on, and disregard, at least, some of the laws 0
the land. The Savior saw no such antagonisn
of duty as this. But he recognized the entir
harmony Of these duties-even in the case wher
the people were in subsection to foreign pow
, er. But in our own country, and under ou


own form of government, certainly antagonsn
in this regard cannot arise. | suppose nom
will dispute that, as general rule the worl(
over, every man owes obedience to the govern
, ment and submission to the laws under which
he lives. CT all conceivable conditions of hu
man society that Of anarchy is the worst.


No tyranny on earth is hall as bad as the ty
} ranny of anarchy--such, for instance, as tina
which now reigns in ill-fated Mexico. So
then, there is no government in the civilized
world that is not better than none. They dt
all, in some sort, give protection to the life anC
property of individuals. Hence, there is dut
fro II every man who enjoys that protection
submission to the government, and obedience tt
the laws. To withhold this, is to strike fo
anarchy, the worst Of all curses to any people
do not pretend to say but that government
may so abuse its powers and prerogatiyes, ant
so oppress the people that it may become thei
right, and their duty, to rise in their might ant
revolutionize the government. But at wha
point that line is to be drawn, do not pretenG
to say. These are matters that belong to tht
forum and the halls Of legislation, and not t
the pulpit. But you will permit me to say
that, in this country, submission to the govern
ment and the laws of the land is an absolute
duty; because the people themselves constitute
the government and make the laws.-There II
some apology for the man who resists the law'
ofa tyrant above him: but the people who re
bel against laws of their ot0n making are trai
tors Of the darkest hue, especially as they car
at any time alter the laws and change them a
their pleasure. l admire much the kind sym
pathy that weepS in pity oyer misguided man
who has run his neck into the moose Of halter
by defying the laws of the land. But tha
sympathy loses its senses when it seeks to OBJ
struct the execution oflaw by violent means
because 1t wonld thus break down the barriers
Of law, and plunge us into anarchy. II the law
be oppressive, our duty to the State is TO seek
by legal and peaceful means, to alter in; but
to violate it, neuer Little does that man dream
Of the tremendous curse that he invokes wher
he counsels disrespect for, or disobedience to
the laws OF the land. Once admit that princi
Pile, and we are on the way to the yawning gul
anarchy, from which redemption can only
come by respect to law.


But we, my brethren, owe something more tt
Caesar than mere submission and obedience
The government Of this country is in the hards
of the people, and they can mould and direct il
at their pleasure, Every citizen is an integra
part of the government, and ifthe government
is corrupt, it is the people that make it so, and
they should bear the burden that they take up.
on themselves. For the people of this country
to complain Of government is as absurd as fol
Aaron TO complain of the calf that he made and
fashioned with craving tool; for the people
make the government as truly as Aaron made
the calf 1nasmuch as every citizen IS a part
and parcel of the governing power of the State
think he is in duty bound to render unto the
State the peculiar duties Of a citizen.


The privilege Of selecting the men who shal
make the laws and administer the government
is great and blessed boon. 1t cost the toll
and sweat, and blood ofour fathers it is boor
for which millions sigh, and sigh in vain, and il
should not be neglected nor lightly esteemed
Every citizen owes to the State the duty Of Civ
ing his voice, and his influence, to the councils
of the nation-to the purity of the government
and the elevation ofgood and true men to Of
flee. In this, there is nothing inconsistent with
duty to God. Why may not man perform
this duty calmly, rationally kindly, and loving
ly, as we'll any other? Why should we get by
the ears and ahjure all charity and kindness
in these matters? Why should we neglect tc
render unto God the things that are Gods
while we are rendering to Caesar the things
that are Caesars?


will not attempt to particularize at length
the things that are due to God. l will only
say that, at the very least, we owe Him rever-
ence and gratitude. To Him we owe our ex
istence, and all our powers and faculties of body
and OF mind, for He has made U.S. and not we
ourselves. And this great nation, blessed
as it is above the nations Of the earth, with civil


and religious privileges, and an abundant and
overtowing prosperity, such as the masses o
men in no other part of Gods bounteous earth
enjoy; may not claim that we ought to be a
grateful and reverent pecpe And yet, it is
painful to reflect that, at this very moment
whom the earth has brought forth the full har-
vest, and our store-houses are filled with food
when the sails of our commerce written every
sea; in this moment of blessedness we are,
fear, waxing fat and proud--contending with
one another in bitter e-threatening disrup
ton to the bands that bind us in one family;
aye, at this moment, the notes of preparation
are heard for coming struggle, that is to fill
the year before US with partisan euds, and words
ofcontention and wrath; and that in its zeal to
render to Caesar the things that are Caesars,
Corgets to render unto God the things that are
Gods Oh! that God himself would speak to
this great people, In melting tenderness and
love, that should reach their hearts, saying
'Ye are all brethren! one blood runs in all
your veins and throbs in every artery of your
bodies; one life animates every soul OF you; why,
worry and devour one another? Go, reverently
and gratefully, perform as good citizens, the
duties that you owe your country, without
wrath or strife; give to Caesar that, which be-
longs to him; and forget not God, and your du-
ty to him.
| The safety of nations as Of individuals must
depend on God The petty ques tons that ag
ltate clques and parties will soon pass from us.
A few more years and the graves will cover us.
and tlose that now struggle for posts Of honor
will be low in the dust, and all their cluster
ing honors shall be remembered no more. NV
counsel is ofpeace and Of love. The fleeting dis.
tinctions of names and parties will soon pass a.
|