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measuring human conduct in state affairs by the everlasting principles of truth and justice.

The sublimest history of the Church of Christ, I think, within the last twenty-five years, has taken place during the last three or four months, when the ministers of churches have with one accord so far broken away from the shackles that have bound them as to discuss secular topics in the light of the Gospel. Now I think we shall hear nothing more against politics in the pulpit.

A man may preach politics too much. A man may do it foolishly. So a man may administer a bank foolishly, manufacture foolishly, or carry on any other business foolishly; but that is no reason why a bank should not be established, why a man should not engage in manufacturing, or why business of any sort should not be carried on. A minister may not be discreet in preaching upon secular topics, but that is no reason why they should not be preached upon. There have been indiscreet ministers from the days of the apostles, and it would be strange if in the future there should not be found here and there one that is not discreet. But the duty of introducing such topics is now generally acknowledged. I think that question is settled for your life and mine, at least.

I will make but one more remark before I close, and that is this. While we are pointing out the mischiefs that will be apt to come into the Church and the pulpit, as it is said, by the introduction of these topics on the Sabbath-day, is it not time for Christians to begin to consider the state of the Church and the pulpit? I am not filled with alarm, because, God reigns; but in so far as human influence is concerned, my own impression is that the Church and the pulpit are drifting out to sea. Not because they are so incorrect in doctrineit is worse than that. Incorrectness of doctrine is apt to be only a pimple on the surface that shows the state of the blood. The trouble is, they are ceasing to be the voice of God in the community. And what is the consequence? It

is that more and more the community are leaving them. People in this country do not attend church any thing like as much as they did in my younger days. I do not think one third of the people of this nation are accustomed to attend church. And I do not think the proportion that attend church is gaining. I fear that we are losing ground in this regard. While the introduction of life questions and life interests is forbidden, so that men go to church to listen to things that they do not care about, to hear doctrines preached upon that they do not understand, and do not want to understand, we shall lose ground more and more. you make preaching the preliminary of practical living, so that men shall say, "By it I find my fears removed, my hopes strengthened, my weaknesses inspired, and my discouragements lessened," it will not be of much benefit to the world. Not until it makes men better as merchants, farmers, mechanics, and mariners, will it be an instrument of very great good. But when the Church has this witness among the common people that it is a place where there is salvation and the water of life, then you need not be afraid but what it will grow.

Let us then, my brethren, remember, not that doctrine is wrong, and that religious truth is not to be unfolded, but this-that the end of all truth is the conviction and conversion of men; the edifying them in Christian life; the reconstruction of human society, so that the whole earth shall be as a temple of God. And if this be the end of all teaching and preaching, we must broaden our conceptions of the duty of the pulpit, and we must give pulpit liberty.

All liberty is intoxicating. If you bring up a generation of young men with this doctrine, you must expect that many will be imprudent, and foolish, and mischievous. And when men point to them and say, "There, that is the fruit of your famous liberty of the pulpit," we may reply, "The beginnings of greater freedom are like the beginnings of daylight.” When Christ had touched the man's eyes once, he said, "I

see men as trees walking." When he had touched them twice-that is, when he had given him more of the same sort-he saw every man clearly. If a little liberty does not make men stable, give them more of it. Put responsibility on them, forbear with their mistakes, encourage them, and when the pressure of responsibility is more and more realized, they will be more stable, and move in larger circuits, and with more glory to God, and quicker salvation to the human family.

VIII.

Preaching Jesus Christ and Bim Crucified.

(Continued.)

Preached in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, Sabbath evening,

September 22d, 1861.

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