Morning Star

MORNING STAR.
For the Morning Star.
THE OVERTURN OF THE GOSPEL.
A SERMON,
Preached at the Dedication of the Free-will Baptist church at East Randolph, Cattaraugus Co.,
New York.
BY HIRAM WHITCHER.
Text.—"I will overturn, overturn, overturn it; and it shall be no more until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him." Ezek. 21:27
In all ages of the world, there has been a need of reform—a change for the better in man. A vast majority of the human family, ever since man transgressed the law of God, have been devoted to sin, and error.
The earth has been drenched in blood. and groans, and tears, and sighs, arising and falling from broken hearts, and weeping eyes, have given indications and evidences of sorrow and grief.
For nearly six thousand years, the earth has groaned under the curse of sin, and, O my soul! what vast multitudes of human beings, destined to an eternal world, have gone down to the grave, enemies to God, and subjects of his "indignation and wrath."
During this long period of the reign of sin and error, God, by various means and instrumentalities, has been seeking to produce a change—to reform man, to overcome evil, to break up systems of iniquity, and to restore man and the world to their original state of purity and bliss.
At one time to check the wickedness of man, to prevent the universal sway of sin and error, God sent a flood, and destroyed the world, leaving only a small remnant for seed, with which once more to people the earth.
Subsequently, when sin again began to prevail, Patriarchs and Prophets were raised up, and sent among the people to instruct them in the way of holiness, and to lead them from the paths of sin.
Still error and wickedness prevailed, and man seemed to be intent on his own destruction. In after ages, in order to preserve a knowledge of himself in the world, and to keep at least one nation from idolatry, God established the Jewish economy, under the supervision of Moses. During the continuance of this system of religion for 2000 years, many, very many, were preserved from heathenism, and prepared for the kingdom of glory. Yet this system secured only the holiness and happiness of a part of that one nation, while all other nations, not liking to retain God in their memory," were given up to all manner of evil, and "became foolish in their imaginations," and were "filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, deceit and envy." This was, and still is, the character of all heathen nations; and will continue to be their character while they remain destitute of a reformatory system of religion.
Man's tendency, and the tendency of society, is downwards. To degenerate is as natural for man, as to fall is for inert bodies.
I. E. It is just as sure that human nature will grow worse & worse, sink lower & lower, if left to itself without any restraining influences, as it is that a ball will fall to the earth, if left entirely to the influence of the attraction of gravitation. To prevent this fall, something must be made to intervene. So, to prevent the utter degeneracy of man, and the entire ruin of the world, institutions of religion have been made to intervene between him and destruction.
As a last remedy, as a last preventive, as the last and most glorious scheme of man's reformation and elevation, "in the world," God sent his Son, and by him established the Christian dispensation, the gospel of the grace of life, of which all other systems preceding it, were mere types and shadows.
To this system of man's salvation, the Patriarchs and Prophets looked forward with great delight. Of it they were inspired to speak in the clearest language, and in the most exalted strains. But the glories of this grand scheme, they were only permitted to see in the future, by vision. But to behold them present, to live under their benign and elevating influences, was reserved to us that live "in the last days." We may sing,
"How happy are our eyes,
That see this glorious light,
Prophets and kings desired it long,
But died without the sight."
"How blessed are our ears.
That hear this joyful sound,
Which kings and prophets waited for,
And sought, but never found."
We come now to consider the gospel of Christ, as the great reformatory system, designed to overturn, and overturn systems of error and iniquity, until Christ the Son of God, take & possess the kingdom under the whole heavens. All, I presume, will admit that the Bible affords positive evidence that there will be made an "end of sin," that the works of the devil will be destroyed, and that righteousness will universally prevail, either in this world or the next, on this earth, or the new earth.
All will admit that there will be a time when "all nations will remember and return unto the Lord, and all tongues will serve him," when the "knowledge of the glory of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the seas," and when the kingdom of Christ shall "extend from sea to sea, and from the river to the end of the earth."
The only question is, whether this universal reign of righteousness, and prevalence of truth, is to be enjoyed in the present moral state, or in the immortal, before or after the second coming of Christ.
I do not now intend to enter into this controversy. Suffice it to say that I am most fully persuaded that the gospel of Christ has not yet completed its work among men. The mission of the life giving religion of the New Testament is not yet ended on this earth. There is conclusive evidence to my mind, that we may yet expect to see greater triumphs of the truth, than have ever been witnessed, in the conversion of the nations of the earth to Christ. We have reason to look for and expect, that nations now "sitting in darkness," will yet see the glorious light of the gospel, and be led by it to worship the only living and true God. Destroy this faith, blast this prospect, and there is an end to all our mission efforts, and to our mission spirit. Give up this hope, surrender the idea of more being done in the conversion of the world, and our labor to save souls will cease at once, and the dark wave of heathenism will once more roll over, and cover the now Christianized nations. But let us now proceed with our proposition, that the gospel is the great reformatory power, by which systems of error and iniquity are to be overthrown.
In the first place, we will consider these systems, that stand in the way of the spread of truth, and the reign of righteousness.
1. False systems of religion. The inhabitants of the earth are estimated at 800,000,000. Of these, 5,000,000 are Jews, 140,000,000 are Mohammedans, and 455,000,000 are heathen, leaving only 200,000,000 that profess the Christian religion, and of these 200,000,000, 80,000,000 are Catholics, and 50,000,000 more belong to the Greek church, no better than the Catholics. This leaves only 70,000,000 Protestant professors of Christianity, out of the 800,000,000 of the people on the earth. Here, then, we see systems of false religion, that hold under their sway more than seven-eighths of the human family. A dark and gloomy picture indeed! but thanks to God, there is a "stronger than the strong man armed."
There is power in the gospel sufficient to overturn all these systems of error and superstition, and deliver these millions from their death grasp.
2. Unjust and corrupt governments are in the way of the universal spread of truth. Monarchies might be considered the best forms of government, if we were sure of having the right kind of monarchs; but as this is so uncertain, we are safe in saying that simple Republics, are the best forms of government for man. All that know anything about the influences of Monarchical governments, know well that they are generally in the way of the increase of knowledge, and the growth of pure principles. Hence, in the old countries, there is not that general diffusion of intelligence and prevalence of morality, as in countries under democratic government.
But while I speak thus, I shall be allowed to say, that an ignorant and vicious people are unprepared to govern themselves. For such, a despotic government is far best. Intelligence and virtue are essential to self government. Monarchies are in the way of the universal spread of the gospel, and the growth of Christianity. The distinctions in society, elevating one and depressing another, that they form; the establishment of a national religion, and the monied power that they create, are destructive to vital godliness.
3. There are many social and civil customs and arrangements in society, under the best forms of government, that stand in the way of truth and virtue. Customs of trade are generally wrong, and tend to corruption. The ruling passion is selfishness; and the most of tradesmen practice on the principle of getting as much as possible, and giving as little as possible. Hence have come into existence false weights and balances, by which so many have defrauded their neighbors.
This evil we do not charge upon all tradesmen. We would not say as David did in his haste, "all men are liars;" but we do say, and speak advisedly in saying it, that business in this country is generally done on the principle of SHAVE.
And what is still worse, this evil is chargeable upon many business men, who profess better things, so much so that the church of God has been corrupted, and become a scandal.
Again, drinking habits that have become so universally prevalent in all countries, are another great hindrance to the universal reign of truth and virtue.
Drinking habits have led to all the wretchedness and misery of intemperance, that has spread such devastation all around us.
From a moderate calculation, it has been ascertained, that there are one million drunkards in the world, and that 30,000 die annually in all the misery and guilt of drunkenness.
Now we may safely conclude that one half of these drunkards would be the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, were it not for their intemperance; and were it not for the drinking customs of society, these drunkards would be sober men. The social glass, the occasional drink, has lead to all this evil. Yes, I charge upon the drinking habits of the country, at first temperately, all the woes, sighs, poverty, misery, and death of drunkenness. But for the social glass, the occasional drink, there would be no drunkards, for all begin with the occasional drink, and most end in drunkenness. Never will the evils of intemperance be dried up; and the woes, sighs, and wretchedness of drunkenness be stayed, or cease to flow, so long as our drinking habits continue.
So long as the people will drink ardent spirits, so long will drunkards be manufactured. I do not say all moderate drinkers will become drunkards; but I say many of them will, and all of them are liable to; and should any that now drink temperately, remain through life as temperate as they now are, yet their temperate drinking habits, may lead others (and perhaps their sons,) to drink occasionally, and their occasional drinking may lead them to intemperance. Let but total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks become universal, and drunkenness will cease as soon as the present race of drunkards die off, or are reformed.
Once more. Slavery, as a civil institution, is another obstacle in the way of the universal reign of truth. We need only look at the ignorant and degraded condition of the enslaved, and the blinding, hardening, and demoralizing influence this system has on the enslavers, to know that slavery is a curse both to the slaves and to their masters.
It curses the earth on which they tread, and the air that they breathe; it pollutes their politics, and corrupts their religion; it poisons the cup of society, and clogs the wheels of improvement. It is a millstone around the neck of any nation where it exists. Wherever a system of involuntary servitude prevails, their general intelligence and virtue cannot exist. Slavery is a blast and a mildew upon every interest of society, and therefore must inevitably prevent the spread and growth of Christianity. It cannot do less, it does far more. Now all these systems of false religion, all these unjust governments, and these social and civil customs and arrangements in society, must be overcome and subdued, and that which is true, just, and right, take their place.
These evils are not always to exist and reign. They will come to an end, God has decreed it, and it will be.
2dly. I pass to notice the power or instrumentality by which this overturn is to be effected.
I said in the commencement that Christianity was introduced, and the gospel was established as a reformatory system. The "truth as it is in Jesus," taught in the New Testament, is designed and tends to enlighten, awaken, alarm, and excite man. It addresses itself to his hope, and to his fear. It presents to him his duty and his interest, his danger and his safety.
The grand designs of the gospel are, so to enlighten man's mind in relation to his duty and interest, his danger and his safety; and so to present before him the way of salvation, as to influence him to turn from the ways of sin into the paths of holiness. God designed "through the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe."
The gospel is God's grand moral lever, with which to overturn the kingdom of Satan. It was this simple weapon that achieved so glorious a victory on the day of Pentecost. It was with this "sword of the spirit," that the Apostles went forth "from conquering unto conquer." With this word, "sharper than a two edged sword," they, a feeble band, obedient to their divine Lord, made an attack upon the mighty Roman empire, then enraged to extreme madness, and with it, in about 300 years, they subdued and overturned the entire system of heathenism of that vast kingdom, and converted it, nominally at least, to Christianity.
This grand overturn was effected without the aid of "carnal weapons," and in spite of swords, and all other engines of torture that could be invented, and used against the truth. And notwithstanding hundreds and thousands of the friends of Christ were put to death, yet they triumphed. God overruling the wrath of man to his own praise.
Now this same gospel, connected with the same kingdom, based upon the same immutable promise, and possessed of the same omnipotent power, is the instrument in our hands, under God, for the overturn of all the systems of error and iniquity that now exist. God will overturn and overturn until hindrances are removed out of the way, and until truth and righteousness universally prevail in the earth.
3dly. We pass to consider this work of overturning, as it is now going on in the world.
In our own country and among ourselves, the gospel is preached, the Sabbath is observed, the church and ministry are maintained, houses of worship are erected and dedicated, and various other instrumentalities are employed for the conversion of sinners to God. And every sinner that is converted to the truth, there is so much of this great work done. Every sinner "added to the Lord," is extracted from Satan. Every church that is organized, and every minister that is ordained, is an enlargement of the kingdom of Christ, and becomes an additional power on the side of truth and righteousness. Every suitable house that is dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, where his word is to be preached, and worship to be celebrated, is an achievement of Christianity.
Look all around us, east, west, north, and south, and see our land adorned with churches, whose spires point up to him whom we worship. See on the Sabbath millions of humble worshippers, assembled in God's house to hear his holy word, to supplicate his mercy, and to sing his high praises; and still farther, see thousands of God's ministers in the sacred desk, uttering Christ's message of mercy to rebel sinners.
This glorious "tree of life," planted by Christ, whose leaves are for healing, and fruit for food is extending its branches all over our land, even to the "far west," and this "wilderness is becoming a fruitful field, and springs are breaking out in the desert." Not only are the common means of grace in use, but in addition to these, are the Sabbath school, Mission, Tract, and Bible causes, in operation as auxiliary helps in this grand work. The faithful Sabbath school teacher, the humble tract distributer, and the self-sacrificing colporteur, are all doing a good work in overturning the powers of darkness. These have been "weapons, mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds," of Satan.
But this work of reform is not confined to already Christianized nations, it is going on also in heathen countries. Fifty years ago, there were no Bibles, and no missionaries in heathen lands. Then, not one ray of divine light penetrated the dark minds of 600,000,000 of heathen.
But within this period of time, missionaries have been sent to nearly every nation, among whom the gospel has been preached, converts have been made, and Christian churches have been established. There are now, in the various heathen countries, 2000 missionaries, and about 8000 native assistants and teachers. Under the labors of these missionaries, there have been converted to Christ, 200,000 heathen. Besides this, there have been established between two and three thousand schools for the education of heathen children. But this is not all that the missionaries have done. They have translated the Bible into 160 different languages, some of which they first had to reduce to a written language.
Several of the heathen nations were found without any books, and without a written language. This was the case with the Karens, over 9000 of whom have, within a few years, been converted and baptized.
This was also the case with the Santals, whose language, Bro. Phillips, one of our missionaries, has reduced to writing, and into which, he is now translating the Holy Scriptures.
Indeed, "to them that sit in darkness has a light sprung up." It is the light of divine life from God, shining through the world. In the Sandwich Islands, where, twenty-five years since, a Savior was not known, 25,000 are now members of the Christian church. God is thus, and by these means, overturning heathenism and idolatry, and setting up his kingdom of righteousness and peace in the place thereof. And thus, and by these means, will God carry forward his work of overturning, until all the "idols are cast to the moles and the bats," and until he, whose right it is, shall reign King of nations as he does King of saints. "For he must reign until all enemies are put under his feet."
Efforts, also, are being made, both in our own land, and in others, to break the bands of superstition and ignorance, that have so long held as with a death grasp, the adherents of the church of Rome. And we have reason to thank God, and take courage, for the signal success that has crowned these efforts. We are receiving intelligence from all countries, of the conversion of Roman Catholics, and Catholic priests, to the Protestant faith.
On the 12th of Nov. last, in the city of Rochester, thirty-six families publicly renounced the religion of the Pope, and declared their attachment to the Protestant religion. God is overturning this corrupt "Mother of Harlots." The declaration of Paul, in reference to the "Man of Sin, who shall be consumed by the breath of his mouth, and destroyed by the brightness of his coming," is being fulfilled. The gospel is "the breath of his mouth," and its glory is "the brightness of his coming," by which Romanism is being consumed, and will finally be utterly destroyed.
God is also overturning the system of Judaism. Through the labors of missionaries, most of whom are converted Jews, very many of the Israelites are receiving Christ as the Messiah of the prophets. In Russia, Prussia, Denmark, Poland, Norway, and Germany, as well as in America, and England, we are receiving cheering accounts of the conversion of the Jews to Christianity. The Israelites generally, and many of their Rabbis, are beginning to feel very uneasy in their state of dispersion over the earth, and they begin to inquire into the cause of their wretchedness, and they begin to fear that it is because their fathers crucified the "Lord of life and glory."
I trust the time is near at hand, when that "vail" that has so long hung over the minds of the seed of Abraham will be taken away, and they will see, in the reading of Moses, that Jesus was the Messiah; then will "all Israel be saved," or converted to Christ.
Efforts also are being made by various temperance societies to stop the sale and use of intoxicating drinks, and thus cut off the streams that supply the fountain of drunkenness. Rum-drinking, rum-making, and rum-selling, are the devil's strongest holds, and those that are engaged in them, are his most efficient agents. But for drunkenness it would be an easy matter to convert the world. And were it not for the sale and moderate use of ardent spirits, drunkenness would soon cease. But rum will not always reign. This traffic is doomed, and must come to an end.
God has also aroused the nations against the accursed system of chattel slavery. Efforts have been and still are being made for its overthrow. In many lands these efforts have been crowned with complete success. And in our own beloved country, the anti-slavery agitation has aroused the masses of the people, to that extent that all parties profess hostility to slavery. And God will cause this agitation to continue until slavery will only be known in the history of past events.
The monarchies of the old world are also being overthrown. "There are thrones without kings to sit on them, and crowns without heads to wear them."
In the overthrow of the French monarchy, and the establishment of a republican form of government, and in the dethronement of the Pope by his own subjects, I clearly see the hand of God in overturning systems of iniquity to prepare the way for the pure gospel of Christ.
God's work is going on, and I trust the time is near at hand, when the ministers of the cross will visit every continent and island, and stand upon every mountain and hill, in every valley, and by every running stream, and preach Jesus to a dying world; and through whose labors that prophecy will be fulfilled: "All nations shall remember and return unto the Lord, all tongues shall serve him." Ps. 22:27.
And now, in conclusion, I wish to say, as we have assembled in this new and neat house, to dedicate it to God, and his worship, I can but hope, believe, and in this faith I rejoice, that the erection of this commodious sanctuary, will be another additional instrumentality in the overturn of satan's kingdom, and that the gospel may here so be preached, that of many it may be said, "In the day that God writeth up his people, they were born here." This is a house of God, because it has been built for his glory.
This is a house of worship, because it is to be devoted to the worship of God.
This is a house of prayer, because here are God's people to meet to pray and supplicate a throne of mercy.
This house is to be no man's property. In dedicating it to God, you give up your right and title to property in it. What you have put into this house, you have given to the cause of Christ. You may hold a claim on what you put in here, but you hold it for Christ, and not yourself. This is a glorious investment.
Now this entire house is to be dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. And, in doing it, let every heart unite in the prayer, "Arise, O Lord, and enter into thy rest, thou and the ark of thy strength."
And may God now fill this house with his glory.
I will just add, when the great work of our text is completed, may we all unite in singing, "Alle-lujah, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ."
Amen.