Election Sermon

Go ogle A DSLITaKXO RSrORB HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE N. BRIGGS, GOVERNOR, HIS HONOR JOHN REED, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR , THE HONORABLE COUNCIL, THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS THE ANNUAL ELECTION, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6, 1847. BY JOHN H. BISBEE, Pastor of the Church in Worthincton. DUTTON Ain) WKNTWORTH, PRINTERS TO THE STATE. 1847. ■4 I (,7 ^tf'^y^Cf.y COMMONWEALTH OP MASSACHUSETTS. In Senate, January 7, 1847. Ordered^ That Messrs. Shepard, Rising and Perkins, be a committee to present the thanks of the Senate to the Rev. John H. Bisbee, for the Discourse delivered by him yesterday, before the Government of the Commonwealth, and to request a copy thereof for publication. CHARLES CALHOUN, Clerk, II Samuel, xxiiL 3. THE GOD OF ISRAEL SAID, THE ROCK OF ISRAEL 8PA&E TO ME, HE THAT RULETH OYER MEN MUST BE JUST, RULING IN THE FEAR OF GOD. The most essential quality in any government," says a distinguished writer, is justice." This is unquestionably true. It may be safe, therefore, to affirm, that any government is good, and accomplishes the object for which it is properly instituted, in proportion as the principles of justice are inviolably maintained. The only perfect government, of which we have any knowledge, is characterized by the never-failing administration of justice, at the head of which, as Supreme Lawgiver, Goverpor, and Judge, is a "just God." Human governments approach perfection, in proportion as they embrace those excellencies which constitute the Divine. It is a principle, asserted by our fathers, and maintained by us, as fundamental, that " government is instituted for the common good ; for the protection, safety, and happiness of the people," which is virtually but another form of expression to denote the maintenance of justice in the most comprehensive sense of that term. It is designed to secure to all, the undisturbed possession and peaceable enjoyment of their " natural, essential and unalienable rights.'' God has wisely instituted civil society, and ordained human government. " There is no power but of God." " The powers that be are ordained of God." This truth, though often perverted by the despotic, and made to defend tyranny and oppression, is still none the less important, and surely not less worthy to be defended.

As King of kings and Lord of lords, God has described the character which rulers should sustain, and has specified the great and leading principles in accordance with which all their official acts should be performed. " The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." This, though spoken centuries ago, is as true now as then, and as important to be regarded. It is the assertion of a claim which God has upon those who stand at the head of human government as an " ordinance of God." The text implies that rulers, in the discharge of their official duties, may have difficulties to encounter, and obstacles to overcome. And there are, it may safely be presumed, alwaj^ in existence, causes more or less powerful which, in their operation, tend to prevent justice, disturb the order, and mar the harmony of society, and thus to defeat " the end of the institution, maintenance and administration of government." These, however, are not always precisely the same, but vary according to time, place, and circumstances. Each generation is characterized by its own peculiarities, and has its own prohiinent, well-defined features. Each, it may be, has its peculiar virtues, and, perchance, its distinguishing errors. No two generations, more than any two individuals, are, in all respects, precisely alike. Though in many things there may be a striking resemblance, yet in many other important respects, there is an equally manifest diversity. It may be appropriate to the present time and occasion, therefore, to contemplate some of those causes which now exist, and inquire what is necessary in order either to remove them, or so to meet and counteract their effect, as to protect society with all its interests, and guard the rights of all classes of individuals. I do not say that the sentiments and practices of the present age are worse than those of any preceding. Nor do I affirm that they are better. It is neither sound philosophy, nor evidence of comprehensive views, nor an indication of greatness of intellect, nor of superior wisdom, either to maintain or discard a sentiment or practice because it is ancient, or, on the other hand, to receive or reject one because it is new. Many ancient opinions and customs are undoubtedly wrong ; and many, which are new, are unquestionably far from being improvements. ' I can have little or no sympathy with the sentiments of those, on the one hand, who, regarding every change in society as an unauthorized innovation, and as tending to the utter ruin of every thing valuable in our free institutions, would fain fetter the world in its onward progress, or at least chain it where it is, if they could not bring it back to some fancied golden period past ; nor with the radicalism of those, on the other hand, who imagine that they have discovered the unsoundness of every existing foundation, and that every thing resting thereon is baseless, and who would hence recklessly destroy every existing institution, with the visimiary hope that something better might spring from their ruins. "Prove all things," is a dictate of enlightened reason, as well as a precept of Scripture. And it is equally the duty of all, to " hold fast that which is good," and that alone. Among the causes now existing tending to obstruct justice, disturb the order of society, and lessen the restraints of law, may be named erroneous theories respecting the nature and powers of government, and of human rights. …