tians
drove his descendants into Canaan and Joshua drove them into Greece. Ninus
inherited the spirit of his father, and the history of his empire, until
it was overthrown by the Babylonians and Medes, is a history of absolute
Assyrian despotism.

The Babylonian Empire was no better from the revolt of Nebopolassar to its
destruction by Cyrus. Egypt and Persia were also equally deprived of the
blessings of civil liberty. Greece and Rome were in no better condition
with the exceptions of a few restrictions consequent upon Greece being
controlled by established customs and Rome by the Senate. These nations
were comparatively free, but their freedom did not grow out of a
comprehension of the rights of their citizens.

The Jewish Republic is the first ancient government where the people
exerted any proper influence in state affairs. It is worthy of special
consideration that the Jewish laws were adapted to civil liberty in an age
when human rights were so little understood. There is no one work so full
of the great principles of civil wisdom as the Pentateuch and the history
of Judah and Israel. They were free in choosing their form of government;
free in the establishment of their laws; free in the fact that their laws
governed and not men. Their form of government was republican, with
healthy limitations. Twelve tribes were united in one great republic like
so many confederated states bound together for purposes of defence. At
first God was their king. After awhile they desired another king, and
their form of government was changed to a limited monarchy upon their own
request. Their kings did not enter upon their duties until they were
accepted and crowned by the people, and then they were restricted in their
power by sworn stipulations.

Bad men do not make good citizens. There never was a nation of infidels or
idolaters, existing as such, in the enjoyment of freedom. Holland was free
as long as she was virtuous. She flourished as a republic, produced great
and learned statesmen; she became corrupt, and infidelity banished her
glory.

When Perrier, of France, the successor of Lafayette in the office of Prime
Minister to Louis Phillipe, was on his death bed he exclaimed, with much
emphasis and zeal, "France must have religion"--man must be governed by
moral truth or by despotic power. Liberty does not flourish without
morality, nor morality without the religion of the Bible. The love of law,
the love of wisdom, the lov