vement takes place, they will
rise to a nobler conception of the service they may render to mankind,
and patriotism will be found to harmonize with philanthropy. Then will
the miserable jealousies which have been cherished and the execrable
policy which has been pursued disappear before the progress of
Christian sentiment. Then will governments extend to each other an
open, and not a closed or mailed, hand. Then will war stand forth
before their view in all its hideousness, its features distorted by
rage, and its garments dripping with blood,--a mournful and a fearful
spectacle. Oh! when shall the time come, that the true character of
War--its horrors, its vices, its crimes, unredeemed by a single trait
properly its own,--shall be understood. Almost nineteen centuries ago
was the Prince of Peace born into the midst of the woes of
humanity,--this the greatest of them all,--that he might drive them
from the earth; and still war ravages the globe like a wild beast
furious with hunger. No; I have spoken hastily. Rather should I have
said, like one who feels that decay has taken hold of his strength.
There is promise of a better period, when men shall be the demon's
prey no longer. Oh God, hasten that time for thy goodness' and thy
mercy's sake!

I will not detain this assembly to examine at length the objections
that may be brought against the doctrine advanced and applied in this
discourse. It may be said, that much of what has been spoken is the
language of fanaticism, with which your ears should not have been
wearied. But no sentiment nor word that I have uttered can be justly
stigmatized as fanatical, if the positions which I took at first, and
from which I apprehend that no one dissented, were correct, and if the
results to which we have been led are the legitimate consequence of
taking those positions. It may be said, that this is another weak
attempt on the part of the clergy to regain an influence which they
have irrecoverably lost. The absurdity of the idea is its sufficient
refutation. It may be said, that this is the first step, feebly put
forth indeed, towards a union of Church and State. Church and State!
words of wonderful power over our fears and our imaginations. But who
can for a moment seriously believe that such a purpose is entertained
by one who loves, or by one who understands, American institutions? A
State religion does any one dread? I should think there was just now
more danger of almost any thing