The Election Sermon

REV. SAMUEL WOLCOTT’S ELECTION SERMON. 18S3. V’ t A SERMON, DELIVERED BEFORE is (fedlmcj deorge <§0utteII, GOVERNOR, HIS HONOR HENRY W. CUSHMAN, LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, €\ n 3innnralile Cmraril, AND THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS, THE ANNUAL ELECTION, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5, 1853. By SAMUEL WOLCOTT, [pastor of the congregational church in belchertown. BOSTON: WHITE & POTTER, PRINTERS TO THE STATE. 1853. ://archive.org/details/sermondeliveredbOOwolc 2oo LOt 2xS COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. In Senate, January 7, 1853. Ordered, That Messrs. Walker, Brewster, and Crocker be a com¬ mittee to present the thanks of the Senate to the Rev. Samuel Wolcott, for the sermon delivered by him on Wednesday last, before the Executive and the two branches of the Legislature of the Commonwealth, and re¬ quest a copy of the same for publication. CHARLES CALHOUN, Clerk. • . • ' SERMON. Revelation, xi : 17. WE GIVE THEE THANKS, 0 LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO ART, AND WAST, AND ART TO COME, BECAUSE THOU HAST TAKEN TO THEE THY GREAT POWER, AND HAST REIGNED. I have selected, on the present occasion, a few of the words of this mysterious prophecy, with no de¬ sign of investigating its scheme, or explaining its symbols. The passage from which the text is taken, is the conclusion of one of the scenes of the august drama of the Revelation. It is the record of the sounding of the seventh angel, with which the mys¬ tery of God was finished ; and one volume of this hook of destiny, this prophetic narrative of the for¬ tunes of the Christian Church, here closes. Upon the announcement, repeated with loud acclaim in heaven, that the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever, the representatives of the saints in the divine presence are introduced as prostrating themselves with devout adoration, and exclaiming, We give thee thanks , 0 Lord God Almighty , who art , and wast , and art to come , because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

This is interpreted by sound commentators as hay¬ ing reference to the future triumphs of the gospel, and the final reign of Christ on the earth. And I offer the text, detached from an association with the seals and trumpets of the grand vision, and divested of the drapery of its magnificent imagery, as the theme of a few simple and familiar observations on the progress and prospects of the Redeemer’s king¬ dom in our world. I propose to consider, summarily, the destined prevalence of the Christian faith ; some of the agencies by which it is to be promoted ; and some of the evidences of its living power, to be fur¬ nished by its adherents. I. In affirming that the Christian religion is des¬ tined to reign in our world, I maintain not that evil is to be eradicated from the earth, but that its present developments will be checked. Christianity will gain the complete ascendency over every opposing form of error and sin, become the acknowledged universal standard of right and supreme source of authority, and thus subjugate the world to itself. It reigns now in the heart of many a believer, for whose life it furnishes a perfect rule of action. It has its seat in the bosom of many a church, which is governed by its holy principles and adorned with its heavenly graces. But its present sway is partial and limited ; and the ultimate supremacy claimed for it, is the pre¬ siding sovereignty of its law of love, regulating a depraved race. This belief necessarily implies the truth of the Christian system. A permanent prevalence cannot be predicated of error, for the human mind was not formed to subsist on falsehood. The truth is the only basis on which all minds can harmonize, and those who reject it have no essential agreement, and often adopt the most opposite and clashing opinions. Truth alone is immortal ; and the mind, when not perverted, is constrained to do it homage. This characteristic of Christianity I mention, not as the sole security and pledge, but as one of the essential conditions, of its universal prevalence.

The belief, also, if well founded, involves the adaptedness of the Christian religion to the wants of the race, and proves it to be universally needed. It aims to exterminate the evil passions which scourge the human family, inculcating forgiveness and for¬ bearance, awakening compassion and sympathy, and introducing concord and love. It mitigates the pro¬ vidential calamities of an unavoidable lot, allaying discontent and murmur, and imparting a cheerful courage, not merely from an acquiescence in the di¬ vine sovereignty, but from a filial confidence in the character and the government of God Most High ; cherishing not the fortitude of a stoic indifference, but a calm joy in the administration of a Being whose dealings are kind as well as just ; using his discipline as a means of moral improvement, and converting every trial into a blessing. It sustains the soul in the dissolution of the body, cheering it with hopes which bloom beyond the grave. It relieves that pressure of spiritual want, which is felt by every moral being. In all ages and all lands, whenever and wherever an intelligent, immortal spirit has throbbed in its earthly tenement, it has been con¬ scious of unearthly and unsatisfied longings. With its physical desires all gratified, it has felt cravings for a better portion. This it has sought in vain in every system of uninspired belief, and in every expe¬ dient unsanctioned by revelation. Philosophy, beau¬ tiful as the handmaid of religion, has been foolish and vain as her substitute, offering no remedy for the maladies of the heart. …