the highest authorities of the republic * pay honors to the remains of him who died in the act of violating its laws. Yet this purports to be a land of equal rights, where justice is impartially dealt out to the high and low! Who will purge it of this crying inconsistency? Who will wipe away these disgraceful wrongs?

The pulpit, beneath which so many young men sit while forming the characters by which they are to influence their country and their fellow-men during many future years of active and public life, would be false to its momentous trust, if, at such a moment as this, it failed to lift its warning cry; if it did not attempt to disabuse their minds of the delusive fascination with which the reckless spirit of worldly honor is too often invested. The halls of learning, where Philosophy teaches, and Science utters truth, and Christianity communicates the law of brotherhood and love, would be unworthy of their lofty place, if they did not resound with the proclamation, that all those great and deathless interests denounce and abhor the masked impostor, that, under the name of honor, opens to the aspiring young the highway of sin and death. And therefore it is that I have sought to tear away its disguise and expose its deformity; therefore it is that I would bring forward in its place the true honor, founded in right, exercised in self-respect and respect for all, — faithful to all trusts alike, fearing only God. the future men of our country hear, and make it theirs.

Let

There is much in the aspect of the times to alarm the patriot and make the Christian sad. We have been accustomed to believe that society is advancing, that man is

* Let it never be forgotten, to the honor of the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, that they refused to join in this gross impropriety.

becoming a more civilized and rational being, that religion has taken the world out from its semi-barbarous era, and secured to it the age of refinement and progress. The order of the age seemed to be onward, only onward, to the removal of social evils. Cruel and savage customs were disappearing, torture and the ordeal were gone, regard for human rights was becoming prevalent, the whole world seemed moving on with gifts of love for the wretched, the captive, and the sinful, and the earth was echoing with the sounds of the triumphant march of humanity.

When, therefore, in such a state of things, the quiet is broken by deeds of violence and strife, the evil is not only felt as a crime against morality and man, but it strikes the disappointed heart as a sin against the character of the times, as a dark omen of defeated hopes. When the peaceful supremacy of the laws is assailed by the irregular passions of the mob, and the sanguinary vengeance of self-constituted tribunals; when the sacred harmony of the halls of legislation is interrupted by vulgar brawls; when the presiding officer of a state assembly descends from his seat of honor to plunge a knife into the bosom of a member; when a company from the supreme council of the nation step forth from their illustrious duties to settle a paltry dispute by the rifle, we feel, not only that the laws have been defied, and the honor of the republic outraged, and treason committed against the majesty of the state, and a ghastly wound inflicted on the reputation of the country, - but that the dark ages are threatening to return upon us; that the barbarians are within our borders; that there is a conspiracy against the progress of man; and that we are to wait yet longer than we trusted to for the coming of the day, when mind shall triumph over brute force, and truth and right shall assume their full dominion.

But, though saddened, we may not despair. All is not lost. The promises of God cannot fail. Let the friends of man and the country be but true to themselves, — let them raise the alarm to the sleeping people, and summon them to the rescue of their fair inheritance, and all shall yet be well. We may trust in God, that even the present dreadful calamity may be the instrument of good, by awaking to a sense of the danger those who else might have slept on. We may trust, and not doubt, that he will make the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder will restrain.

Therefore there is reason that we seek to dispossess of its dominion the false principle which has wrought such evil, and to enthrone in its place that true and manly honor, which is in agreement with the law of the land and of God. In that there is nothing barbarous or selfish, nothing jealous or revengeful, nothing inimical to the peace of individuals or the order of society. It is that spirit of self-respect and mutual respect, which is always generous, and always devoted to the right. It rests upon the dignity of man as the creature of God. It makes his law, and not human opinion, the standard and rule; his praise, and not the praise of men, the great object of desire. It holds itself bound to give account of itself to him alone. Therefore it cannot do wrong. It cannot injure or defame. It cannot be driven to violate truth, or conscience, or right. It cherishes peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

In conclusion, one solemn conviction presses on our minds. Men may, if they will, think to select for themselves their principles of action and rules of life. They do it at their peril. They cannot, if they would, remove themselves from the obligation to live by the law of God. We are born beneath his government, and we cannot escape its

jurisdiction. We have the teachings and institutions of the gospel, and by them we shall be judged at the last day. There is no alternative. We cannot, if we would, live beneath any different government, or be judged by any other rule. Why, then, so anxious for the good opinion and the honor of men? Why so afraid of their ridicule or their censure? Let us rather say, with the apostle, "It is a small thing to be judged of man's judgment; he that judgeth us is the Lord." Let us especially listen to the words of Christ: "Fear not them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; but I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear; fear Him, who, after he hath killed, hath power to destroy both soul and body in hell; yea, I say unto you, FEAR HIM!

SERMON XII.

THE DUTY OF USEFULNESS.

1 CORINTHIANS X. 24.

LET NO MAN SEEK HIS OWN, BUT EVERY MAN ANOTHER'S WEALTH, [OR WELFARE.]

THE precepts of the gospel sometimes fall in with, and sometimes oppose, the natural feelings of the heart. Every disposition and propensity which is kind, amiable, and just, leading to uprightness, truth, and virtue, Christianity smiles upon and cherishes. Every disposition and propensity which leads to falsehood, malice, and mischief, it frowns upon and condemns.

One of the strongest natural feelings is self-love. It is inherent in all beings. Whether rational or irrational, whether more or less exalted, they all love themselves and seek their own happiness. This principle in man is rebuked or countenanced by the doctrine of Christ, according to the manner in which it is modified by other principles. If it be single, unmixed, uncontrolled, the only motive which governs the character and directs the life, it is then a thorough selfishness, which leads to all sin, and is utterly and peremptorily denounced. But when it is kept under sober control, regulated by reason, limited by regard to the rights and happiness of others, and to the laws of equity, kindness, and truth, then it is allowed and advocated by