10 RADICALISM AND THE NATIONAL CRISIS. In the third place, to make an application of these thoughts TO THE AFFAIRS OF OUR OWN COUNTRY AT THE PRESENT MOMENT.—I am not here to preach politics in the low, party sense of the term. I never did this in the pulpit; and I think I never shall. Nor am I here to make any apology for my utterances. I have but one rule in preaching; and that is to speak what I think, leaving the people to judge for themselves. The times, in my judgment, imperatively demand, that the Christian pulpit should have a distinct and clear ring. It is no hour for God’s servants to hide themselves, and practice ambiguities for the sake of being unintelligible. The tremendous and appalling drama of events which Divine Providence is now enacting in this land, should bring every man to the altar of prayer, and then carry him from that altar to discharge the duties he owes to God, his country, to posterity, and the world. What is now the great American question, has sent its thrill over all Europe. It will, either for weal or woe, cast its shadows on the path of coming centuries. With a single exception, it is more radical and more fundamental, and involves larger interests, than any other upon which mortals or immortals ever fixed the gaze of thought. God, I believe, is in this question. “There is a divine reason in it. There is a divine justice in it”; and we may be sure that there is a divine purpose to be answered by it. Providence is in the crisis of the hour. As I survey the matter, there are three radical principles, crowded by the God of Providence upon this nation, and demanding our solution. The first is one of national life; the second is one of moral justice ; and the third is one of an enlarged and generous Christian philanthropy. On each of these points I wish to say a word, beginning— First, with the question of national life. It would be folly either to underrate or misunderstand our foe. He means to destroy this noble Union of States. His plan if successful, is perfectly fatal. Secession is the theory ; but destruction is the end. Rebellion and fighting, robbery and pillage are the means of this gigantic crime against the Constitution and peace of our common country.
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