Year: 1866

Joined in no clamots for or against any
administration butsimply testified against
sin before the only tribunal which Christ
ever erected on earth that is to shy, the
conscience of the sinner himself, The
vice of political preaching was wholly
unknown to tho primitive church,


1t is true that Paul counseled obed-
euce to the government Of Nero; and |
am aware that modern clcrgymen inter
pref lis words as n justification of the
doctrine that support Of an existing adj
ministration is part Of their allegiance
to God"


Several Synods and other ecclesiastical
bodies have solemnly resolved something
to that effect. But they forget that what
Paul advised was simple submission, not
active assistance, to Nero. The Christians
of that day did not endorse his atrocities
merely because he was "the administra-
ton duly placed in power" They did
not 60 with him to the theatre, applaud
his acting, or praise him in the churches
when he kidnapped their brethren, set
fire to their city, desolated province
Nor did they assist Mt his apotheosis after
his death, or pronounce funeral sermons
to show that he was greater than Scipio,
more virtuous than Cato, and more clo-
quent than Cicero. Political preachers
would have done this, but Paul and Peter
did no such thing


There is nothing in the Scriptures to
justify the Church in applying its disci-
plne to any member for offences purely
political. much less for his mere opinions
or feelings on public affairs. The clergy
are without authority, as they arc often
without fitness, TO decide for their con
gregations what is right or what is wrong
in the legislation of the country. They
are not called or sent to propagate any
kind of political doctrine. The Church
and tho State are entirely separate and
distinct in their origin, their object, and
the sphere of their action insomuch that
the organism of one can never be used
for any purpose of the other without in.
jury tn both.


Do | therefore say that the Christian
religion is to have no influence on the
political destiny of man Far from it.
Notwithstanding the uniaithfulness of
many professors, it has already changed
the face of human society; aud it will yet
accomplish its mission by spreading
peace, independence, truth. justice, aud
liberty regulated by law, from tho sea to
the uttcrmost ends of the earth" But
this will be accomplished only BY reform
Ing and elevating the individuals Of whom
society Is composed; not by cxaspcrating
communities against each other; not By
any alliance with the governments of the
world not by any vulgar partnership
with politicians to kill aud pluuder their
enemies.


Every time you reform bad man and
bring his character up to the standard Of
Christian morality, you make an addition,
greater or less, to that righteousness
which exalted n nation, and subtract an
equal sum from the sin which is n re.
proach to any people. Sometimes sin
gle conversion is extremely important in
its immediate effect upon the public in
terest of whole nation. No doubt the
acceptance Of the truth by Dienysius the
| Areopigite had much to do in moulding





/ Athens. The conversion of Constantine
was followed by the instant abrogation of
all laws which fcttcred the conscience. In
the reign Of Thcodosius the people of
| Thcssalonica rose against the Roman gar
rison and killed its commander For the
act of rebellion the Emperor decreed
against them the curse OF an indiscrimin-
ate war in which the guilty and the limo,
cent were confounded together in one
general slaughter His spiritual "guide,
philosopher and friend" at the time was
Ambrose, Archbishop Of Milan, who
boldly denounced his cruelty, refused to
give him the Sacrament, or even to ad-
minister it in his presence, compelled
him to take a seat among the pcnitcnts on
the portico Of the church, aud induced
him to humble his diadem in the dust for
eight months in succession. The con-
science Of the Emperoror was thoroughly
awakened; his subsequent reign was dis
tinguished by justice and mercy, the in
tegrity of the empire was preserved in
peace, and the great Theodosian code, the
product of that bitter repentance, is still
read and quoted for its admirable union
of humanity and policy.


Ambrose produced these consequences
by acting in the true capacity of Chris.
tian minister; for he reformed the Grim
inal by direct appeal to his own heart
Political preachers in the same circum.
stances would have infamed the sanguin-
airy passions Of the monarch by exagger-
ating the treason of the Thessalonians
and counseling the military execution OF
all who presumed to sympathize in their
sufferings-


You will see, l think, the distinction !
would make. A gospel preacher addresses
the conscience of his hearers for the hon
est purpose Of converting them from the
error of their ways; political preacher
speaks to one community, one party or
one sect, and his theme is the wickedness
of another. The latter effects no religi.
Gus purpose whatever; but the chances
are ninety-nine in hundred that he OK.
cites the bad passions OF those who are
present, while he ISLANDERS the absent and
uudefended. Both classes of preachers
frequently speak upon the same or simi
lar subjects, but they do so with different
objects and aims.


will make my meaning more clear by
taking your own illustrations. You be-
lieve in the first day of the week as the
Sabbath, and SO believing, your duty un
doubtedIy is to exhort all persons under
your charge to observe it strictly; bu
Io, have no rioht fo rouaooh a orrsa AZ