and all possible
relations of existence? May the law of brotherly love be virtually
abrogated by the institutions or the habits of society? If not, then
we must consider the good of others as well as our own,--not only
respect their rights, but labor to advance their interests. The
Apostolic maxim should find place among the principles adopted by
politicians,--"look not every man on his own things, but every man
also on the things of others." The "charity that envieth not, that
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no
evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth"--does it
not almost seem as if the portraiture was drawn in view of the
contrast often exhibited by men in their political relations?--this
charity must be preserved, its image unbroken, amidst all the struggle
and competition of public or of private life.

I need go no farther in detailing the influence which religion should
have on politics;--on its theory and its practice. On its theory, by
banishing whatever is inconsistent with the Divine will or with the
welfare of the whole human race. On its practice, by causing every one
to act under a sense of God's goodness and his own responsibleness,
with uprightness of soul and in the spirit of Christian love. The
principles of political action should harmonize with the principles of
a perfect character, and no single act be allowed that would offend
these principles. The consistent politician in a Christian land is he
who can invite the scrutiny of Omniscience upon his motives, while his
outward life is shaped by his inward purposes. See you a man who in
the heat of a political conflict, or the toil of public service, keeps
himself humble, pure and disinterested; who never violates his
conscience, and never forgets his God; who never lets the prospect of
loss or the hope of advantage lure him from the straight course of
duty; who illustrates in his own example the fine motto of the knight
of chivalry--"without fear and without reproach;" who scorns to
compass an end, though noble, by unworthy means, and would reject with
loathing a proposal to substitute expedients for principles; see you
such an one? Honour him, be his station what it may; take him for your
model; give him office, if he will accept it; give him your hearts, if
he refuses your votes. The _Christian_ politician! one of the noblest
specimens of