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have a larger number of Catholics here, and a smaller number in Ireland and on the Continent, we might be unable to say; but it is so evidently a part of God's plan for bringing the darkness to the light, that it is no irreverence to say, he evidently does not fear it. The battle is coming on; but we are certain that the Bible will conquer.

Nearly allied to the great apostasy of which we have written is corruption in politics. The freedom granted to the citizen by the government of the people may be greatly abused. Demagogues may use it for selfish ends; party spirit may rise above national claims; bad men may aspire to office, and succeed; bribery and misrepresentation may determine an election, pass laws, and corrupt the seats of justice. All this has occurred here, and it is no relief to us to show that it is so everywhere; that bribery and corruption in elections are reduced to a system in England, and so utterly shameless as to allow of no attempt to deny them or obviate their damaging power. If it be true in theory that all this is easier and more likely to occur in a republic than under a constitutional monarchy, it is not true in fact. These are vices which do not inhere in systems of government. They are back of all governments. They arise from a common depravity, indicate a common danger, and require a common remedy. The race is coming to feel the imperative demand for a divine regeneration of society, the grand model of which is found in every true Christian in whose heart, purposes, motives, and acts, old things have passed away, and all things become new.

Until this grand consummation is reached in the common humanity of our nation, we must battle with political dishonesty. We shall find the very bulwarks of civil liberty clandestinely or fearlessly assailed. Politicians will put for ward candidates who are deemed "available," without due regard to virtue or capability; parties and individuals will give and receive bribes for votes; the most salutary laws will be sacrificed, and the most perilous license will be

pledged, for the votes of a corrupt organization supposed to hold the balance of power. Hundreds of thousands of the people's money will be granted to a fallen church, for fear of losing its votes; and thus in a free country the church of absolutism and repression will be as munificently endowed by the corruption of parties as though it were established and supported by law. Just in proportion to the development of our common depravity will be the ascendency of unprincipled men and vile women, and the danger to our free institutions.

For our safety from the effects of all social and national crimes, we must look to God, and do the right. That we are not overwhelmed, but, on the contrary, rising in moral force before the eyes of the nations, is due to the fact that experimental Christian power is mighty in the land : and, amid all the storms and perils of sin, "the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."

CHAPTER X.

DEVELOPMENT OF TRUE RELIGION.

"Religion, as such, is reason in the soul and heart.

Thus freedom in the State is preserved and established by religion."- HEGEL.

THUS far in the history of the Great Republic, we have found everywhere the presence of a power stronger than the power of man, producing the principles, vitalizing the facts, and controlling the developments, which were evidently essential to the success of a great Christian government.

We have also found bold and persistent antagonisms to this providential effort to advance the human race beyond all its precedents in intelligence, goodness, and power. Sometimes these antagonisms have appeared in the form of kingly oppression and bloody war; sometimes of unfaithfulness to the plans of God, and rights of man; sometimes of deeply-seated and strongly-developed immorality: but, in all cases, this rebellion against the true and the right has been traceable directly to the scriptural account of the fall and depravity of man.

We shall still behold these opposite forces in determined, and sometimes fierce, collision. Intensely interesting as the conflict has been, it is destined to become much more so. The spirit of oppression assumes various forms; but it is always the same. It seems to be chiefly malicious toward man; but its real war is with God. Since the temptation in Eden, the Prince of Darkness has never abandoned the purpose to rule and destroy this splendid creation; but no usurpation of power has been conceded, no right of divine sovereignty surrendered. The active assertion of absolute

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