SERMON, DELIVERED IN THE UNITARIAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 15, 1843
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I come before you to preach no other righteousness, no other gospel, but the righteousness of God, that which is a spiritual righteousness. Let that gloom which has been connected with it be removed; divest it of this, and of the complicated system of theology, and I believe it will meet conviction in every breast. Divest it of this, and men will not reject the truth, let it come from what source it may. But the minds of the people are instructed not to receive truth except it come through the channel of certain rituals and ordeals, and thus are their sectarian preferences prepared.
These forms and rituals, though they may have been used in the days of the Apostles are but the shadow of things to come so with washing and other outward ordinances. Yet these are all to pass away – they are but a school master to bring us up to Christ. Do they contain any of the real substances of religion? I ask you not with any desire to shock the prejudices of any, but are these forms not taking the place of the reality of the principle? Are they not exalted to a higher estimate than the real practical duties of life? Has Jesus given any forms of worship? His Prophets declare that these things were to pass away, and that a new heaven and a new earth were to be created.
I know that speculative religionists have removed this to the millennial day, and referred us to that day which should bring about that glorious period when righteousness should cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; but theology is removing far the day instead of bringing it home close to our doors. This is a state of things to be brought about only when men prepare themselves to meet it, when men shall have executed their nature and subdued their evil propensities. Then may we look for the fulfillment of that prophetic declaration that "the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ."
But those forms of worship and those opinions and doctrines, may be suited to those who practice them, and far be it from me to judge anyone for practicing such things. But we may be teaching certain modes of speech, of observances, or peculiarities, no matter of what form it may be music, it may be vocal or silent exercise– any, or all of these may be the gods we may be found worshiping; and while others may appear as idlers, performing none of these ceremonies, yet we may be found to be as far off the true God as they, or even they who are worshiping a heathen god; they worship heathen gods, and we verbal ones.
Now let us inquire as regards the professors of the christian name in our strict adherence to the rituals of our respective churches – are we not in as much danger now of building up some images, as were those who were denounced for such things in former days as guilty of the grossest idolatry? And how shall we appear before the Lord? No matter what were the customs in the Jewish church, no matter what their offerings were whether a lamb, an ox or whether incense– they were not the rule for us.
"It is shown unto thee, Oh man, what is good, and what the Lord thy God doth require of thee." 'Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high, his place of defense shall be the munition of rocks, bread shall be given him, his water shall be sure."
It was against those who ground the face of the poor and practiced unrighteousness, that complaint was made. And we should contrast our professions with our practices, and I think we will perceive that the charge of neglecting our christian duties, is as applicable to us as it was to those formerly, and that they would be a reproach to any people.
Does not Christianity enjoin upon us to bring our principles to the practice of everyday life? Did not Jesus Christ come immediately in contact with the forms and customs of that day? It would have been an easy thing for him to wash his hands before he [ate], and it would be of small consequence, or appear so, for him to conform in this respect–but it was his mission to break down these forms and ceremonies, and institute a practical religion. He was almost daily brought up before the Jews of his day for offenses against their laws and regulations. We have the account and it would be well for us to compare it with the institutions of our day, and see whether the effect would not likely be the same, were anyone to rise up in the present age against prevailing practices, and proclaim among the assemblies of the people the truths which he did in those days. Would he not have to offer up his life?
I am glad there are a few who have ventured to come forward and declare the whole truth of God who are placing these things in their true light, and the consequence of their labors I verily believe, will be to place the standard of true practical righteousness higher. For when we live out the practical christian, and show by our love for our brethren, and our consistent walkings, that we are the followers of Christ, we shall elevate the standard of righteousness, though we shall manifest no tenacity for our forms and creeds.
But as a community of christians, are we endeavoring to preach to the poor, to plead for the widow, and striving to promote that righteousness which exalteth a nation? Are we endeavoring to remove the great evils which beset us as a nation?
If this were the case would these great sins which blight this country be suffered to remain?
Would war still be slaying its thousands in our land?
Would slavery be crushing its millions?
Would intemperance, and vice, and wickedness in its various forms, continue to oppress the weak, and harass the poor, and corrupt the morals of our citizens?
Would the name or the depth of the purse, intelligence, or literary attainments be the criterion of respectability? Would the principles of right be made subservient to notions of honor or rank, and the standard of true piety and virtue be thus lowered?
We see righteousness with many is nothing in comparison to an adherence to the church ceremonies; the creeds of faith and to the fashion and usage of society. They consider this faith essential and that no one can enter into the kingdom of Heaven without it. At the same time vice and wrong are suffered to remain unrebuked, and teachers of religion may glide along in the popular current with a faith without works.
It is considered a delicate subject to speak of the slaveholder, and it is forbidden; and are there not things done in secret of which it is a shame to speak and must be passed over in silence? Is there not a fear as regards the question of slavery, a fear to permit it to be examined? I ask the question, not in the spirit of reproach; I do not wish to injure the feelings of a single individual. If we could come together in a christian spirit, and with a right estimate of the true dignity of man, we would calmly and profitably discuss our best interests; the partition walls of prejudice, sectarian and sectional jealousies would be the standard which we would seek to erect, and although we should retain many of our peculiar views, we might enjoy them without enforcing them upon others.
When we come to understand thoroughly our duties as christians, we will not judge a brother, though we may warn one another. We will be bound together in love without regard to denomination or sex. We shall then come to find our partition walls [to] be broken down. The schoolmaster which was to lead us unto Christ will no longer be needed, for we shall then have attained to the substance of which the old Jewish ceremonies were but the shadow.
I come before you this evening, my friends, with all the disadvantages of a woman breaking through the proscribed customs of the times, to endeavor to elevate the standard of righteousness and to promote the common well being of mankind; and I desire to be received in that spirit which
has induced me thus to appear before you. There has been a great advancement among the people with regard to woman. Her condition is destined to become improved and elevated she is already regarded in a very different light from that assigned to her from the dark ages; and she should come also to appreciate herself and be seeking to something higher than she has formerly done. She has already entered into many of the scientific and literary subjects of the age, h and is enjoying the benefits of lyceums, and lectures and literary associations. Joining in these enjoyments, go to prove she is aspiring to something higher than the mere social accomplishments and amusements of the day.
Woman has long been excluded from the privilege of speaking to the people, and the bible has been applied to for a sanction of this exclusion of her right to speak, even to the men of the cities. But the bible has been quoted to authorize nearly every wrong in which the people have been found. The example of darker times is considered a sufficient authority for the present age; but is an unworthy application of the scriptures.
[A few sentences were here uttered which were not dis tinctly heard by the reporter, the import of which seemed to be the incompatibility of the exclusion of females from ministerial services, with the spirit of christianity that in Christ Jesus male and female were one, and though it might be considered as transcending the modesty of her sex, for a woman to speak in public she did not understand Christ so. She hoped to see a better use made of the scriptures in this respect than had been done. She alluded to the announcement of the disciples on the day of Pentecost, that the prophecy of Joel was fulfilled that daughters as well as sons should prophesy; that Philip had four daughters who did prophesy which was defined "speaking to men in edification, and exhortation and comfort" that Tryphena and Tryphosa were acknowledged co laborers with Paul, as well as Phebe the servant of Christ, which meant minister, &c.]
And I believe it is important that we should endeavor to disabuse the christian mind with regard to this subject. This idea has obtained to a great extent in the christian world but will yet present itself in its true light through the singleness of woman.