SERMON.

"THOU SHALT REMEMBER ALL THE WAY WHICH THE LORD THY GOD LED THEE."- Deut. viii. 2.

THE Commonwealth of Massachusetts enters to-day upon a new civic year. In accordance with a timehonored custom, which finds a warrant for its observance in the text I have announced, the first act of the people is to assemble in the persons of their rulers and representatives, to pay homage to Him who is "Governor among the nations."

It is appropriate that our place of meeting is this temple, with whose name have been associated so many conflicts and victories in the interests of education, patriotism, and religion.

The first Election Sermon of which we have any record was preached in the year 1634, under circumstances in marked contrast with those which surround us to-day. The people met not in a magnificent

temple, but in a humble chapel, with its thatched roof and unadorned walls. They came not from scenes of peace and prosperity, but carried weapons for their protection. It is believed a sermon has been preached in each succeeding year, with the exception of 1752 and 1764, when no sermons were preached on account of the prevalence of disease in this city. In the early history of this service, there were so few ministers, that several preached two, three, and even four times; but I am sure no one in our day will for a similar reason be appointed more than once to render the service which I now have the honor to perform. As the sermons were omitted in the two years referred to, and two special sermons were preached, one before the Provincial Congress in Watertown, during the siege of Boston in 1775, and one on the day of the inauguration of the new government under the Constitution in 1780, just one hundred years ago on the twenty-fifth day of next October, it is probable that this is the two hundred and forty-seventh service on Election Day; and as four of the sermons were preached in Cambridge, and two in Watertown, it appears that this is the two hundred and forty-first time a congregation has assembled in this city on an occasion like the present.

And this scene is impressive and sublime, on account of its association with the past. There is here realized the legend that represents Charlemagne as returning every spring to bless the German land. Along the banks of the Rhine he walks, scattering his blessing on vineyards and fields, causing the seed to spring up, and increasing the joy of vintage and harvest. The men of past generations who acknowledged God as the supreme Ruler of the Universe, the ministers of legislation who in successive years for nearly two centuries and a half have first of all met to listen to the ministers of religion, seem to re-appear on this occasion, when you have gathered to set up memorial pillars of divine help and blessing, to bestow upon you their benediction and to increase your thankfulness.

"Great men were then among us,

hands that penned,

And tongues that uttered wisdom, better none.

They knew how glory was put on ;

Taught us how rightfully a nation shone in splendor."

You may well rejoice in the rich inheritance of their names, and follow their example. To walk in their steps is an incentive to the faithful discharge of your duties, a stimulus to endeavor to promote

the highest interests of your fellow-citizens, and a guaranty that success will crown your efforts.

In the Palace of Justice at Rome, the visitor is conducted into a chamber painted with strange fresCOS. He cannot bring them into harmony. He stands in a confused, bewildering maze. There is one spot in the room, however, and one only, standing upon which he sees the design of the artist who painted the chamber. Every part comes into harmony. The picture is instinct with meaning in every line. This finds its significance in the history of our Commonwealth. Through storms and over rough seas its founders came to build on these shores a temple of freedom more grand than any built before. Its foundations were laid in learning and piety. Its superstructure has been enriched by industry and art. Its atmosphere has ever been vocal with the prayers and praises of saints. But, viewed from any point save one, it presents a bewildering maze. We must cling to the belief that God led our fathers to these shores, and inspired their hearts in conflicts; that the Hand that rules the world has bestowed the blessings that have crowned as with a diadem their descendants; and that the Power which led God's chosen people through the wilderness to the promised land

has given to us the prosperity and greatness, in view of which there springs unbidden to the lips of Christian faith the utterance of the Psalmist: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."

Our system of civil government is a rich inheritance. Our fathers on "The Mayflower," before they landed at Plymouth, with prayer to Almighty God, entered "into a solemn combination, as a body politic, to submit to such government and governors as should by a general consent, from time to time, be made choice of," and to yield to such just laws as might be "thought most meet and convenient." Here is the germ of the best system of civil government the world has ever seen.

""Tis not the hasty product of a day." "It is the result of the thoughts of many minds in many ages." All generations contributed to its perfection. It is the living embodiment of the civil and religious freedom of all time. Faith in God, the eternal principles of justice, intelligence, freedom, and piety, are its living soul, the foundation upon which it rests; and upon these it depends for its maintenance. noblest principles are derived from the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The substance of its life is found in the town-meeting, suffrage, trial by jury,

Its