And here, as the principles of law, and the wise designs of government, are carried into effectual operation, principally, by righteous decisions in the judicial department; and, as, the security of property, reputation, liberty, and even life itself, depends, in so great a degree, on the testimonies given in courts of justice, we cannot too forcibly advert to the vast importance, absolute necessity, and powerful influence of this principle, in all who are admitted as witnesses before the ministers of justice. How can good government be maintained without courts of judicature to enforce the sanctions of law? How can these sanctions be justly distributed, in most cases, without evidence? What confidence can be placed in that evidence, if the witness who gives it has not the fear of God before his eyes? But he who is under the influence of this principle, when he appeals to Him who searches the heart, for the truth of what he declares, calls on the omniscient God to take notice of what he says, and invokes his curse, and renounces his favor, if what is said, under the solemnity of an oath, be false he, I say, is saved from that awful sin of PERJURY— a sin which, in the absence of this principle, has brought so much misery on the life of man, and sent so many souls to eternal perdition. Feeling his solemn bond, he speaks the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and is made an important instrument in establishing justice in the land; in clearing and vindicating the innocent, and restraining or condemning the guilty. On this point, I would take the liberty to bring to your recollection the sentiments of that great and good man, in whom we exult as the Father of his Country, and for whose memory every American cherishes the most lively sentiments of gratitude and veneration. "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who would labor to subvert these great pillars

of human happiness; these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education, on minds of a peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail, in exclusion of religious principle." (Washington's Address to the People of America.)

There is another benefit to the political interests of a country, arising from the principle of which we have been speaking, which highly deserves our notice. It is the answer of the prayers of a pious people, offered to the Supreme Disposer of events in behalf of their rulers and their country. However unbelief may operate on the minds of some men, in rendering them insensible to the blessings they receive in answer to prayer; yet, that fervent prayer is an instrument of procuring national, as well as individual blessings, is a truth supported by rational views of a superintending Providence, and plainly declared throughout the Bible. Would Sodom have been spared had there been ten righteous, praying people in that city? Then we may believe that a holy people have a peculiar interest in the care of Heaven, and that their prayers are regarded in those dispensations of Providence by which their country is defended from storms of calamity, and by which blessings from above, in rich abundance, are poured upon it. So deeply are they impressed with a sense of the importance and utility of civil government, the responsibility of its officers, the burdens they are called to bear, and the arduous

labors they have to perform; and so solicitous are they that those officers may be enabled faithfully and usefully to discharge the duties of their high functions, that they find a pleasure in complying with that exhortation of the apostle, Pray for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty."

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To a community consisting of rulers and people, falling under the description now given, the words of Moses to the chosen tribes are justly applicable: "Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people, saved by the Lord! The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee."

3. Great are the advantages arising from self-government in our religious relations.

To view the subject particularly as it applies to ministers and hearers. The work of the ministry must be acknowledged by all who believe the truths of revelation, and hope for happiness beyond the grave, to be the most important in which fallible man can possibly engage. It extends, in its effects and consequences, beyond the limits of time, and involves the future happiness or misery of millions, by leading them to felicities or woes which baffle description.

The political decisions of senates may afflict nations with calamity, or deliver them from it; but the good and evil which they administer must terminate with the present life. It is not so with the ministry of the Gospel. The effects which result from the faithful or unfaithful labors of those who stand forth as ministers of Christ, to persuade sinners to be reconciled to God, may, indeed, be perceived in every stage of human probation; but they will become more conspicuous as life draws toward its close; they will remain unextinguished at death, and assume in eternity a visible and permanent character.

The man who engages in this solemn work, is accountable

to God, not merely for his own soul, but becomes responsible also for the souls of those who have been committed to his care. The sacred writings have guarded his office with the most awful sanctions. Both promises and denunciations conspire to keep alive his hopes and fears, by holding out, in the most pointed language, the rewards or punishments which await him in a future world. On the one hand, we are assured that "they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever;" while, on the other, we are clearly informed, that unfaithful watchmen shall have the blood of the people required at their hands.

It is only when those servants of the Most High, whom he has commissioned to publish his purposes of mercy to the children of men, are truly under the influence of pure, Scriptural religion, that they will accomplish the work for which they have received their high commission. Then, their tempers and lives, both in public and private, are so far under the government of the wisdom from above, that their office is recommended to all who see or hear them. They live the religion they preach to others, and speak feelingly and persuasively of a religion which has full possession of their own souls. As their hearts are replenished with the very power of godliness, their ordinary conversation partakes of its salutary influence, and is good for the use of edifying, and ministers grace to the hearers. However some who are called preachers, having no rule over their own spirits, may indulge themselves in pride, vanity, and ambition, to the grief of the people of God; with these men it is far otherwise; for they have learned of Him who was meek and lowly; they have imbibed his spirit; hence others "take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus."

In view of this character, a prophet exclaimed, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that

bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth." Happy are the people favored with such a ministry. The ignorant are instructed, the wanderer is reclaimed, the vicious are reformed, and the hypocrite is convicted. The heart of the sinner is humbled, his sins are pardoned, and his soul is renewed. The weak are strengthened, the afflicted are comforted, the doubting and timid are enlightened, confirmed and emboldened to confess their Lord, and the weary pilgrim is animated, encouraged, and helped forward in the way to Zion. "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." Hearers of the Gospel, when of the same character, are ready to say, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Though it must be acknowledged, that the influence of the public servants of Christ has been greatly diminished, and the success of the Gospel much hindered by the misrepresentations of some of their hearers, who are impatient under admonitions and reproofs, and become enemies of the cross; yet there are hearers who rule their own spirits, and, yielding to the benign spirit of the Gospel, profit by its reproofs, and welcome the admonitions of a faithful minister. However painful it is to reflect on the hinderances cast in the way of the Gospel by false professors of religion, at the same time, it is a subject of great consolation that there are so many, whose sincere piety and righteous example, as they are associated with the Gospel, are made powerful instruments of confirming the truth, and spreading the light of it through the world.

The spirit of the Gospel is a spirit of charity. And, as far as it governs the hearts of the teachers and hearers of Christianity, it will exclude that spirit of bigotry, which has been the source of presumptuous judging, harsh censures, and bitter railings of one sect against another.