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+-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Transcriber's Note: | | The last sentence of the first paragraph on page 9 is | | likely missing text. A consultation of another source has | | the same content. | | | | On page 15, the word cotemporary, meaning "One who lives | | at the same time with another; a contemporary", is correct. | | | +-------------------------------------------------------------+
BOSTON: A. WILLIAMS & CO., 135 WASHINGTON STREET. 1874.
"_He made him to teach his senators wisdom._"--Psalms cv, 21, 22.
The common theory of the pulpit is of a place devoted to expound some old situation, abstract scheme of salvation, or article in a creed. It has a higher end,--to give the meaning of the scenes of real life, in which we observe the actors and play ourselves a part. If history be philosophy teaching by example, and of all history biography be the soul, then human character, when rare and conspicuous in its traits or achievements, gives as pattern or warning the chief lesson. Christian edification comes less signally from hair-splitting, dogmatic distinction than from contemplating for imitation or admonition the lives of Enoch and Solomon, Paul and Peter, Jesus and John. So I take to-day the death of the most eminent civilian of Massachusetts for my theme.
As the King in Egypt chose Joseph to teach his senators wisdom, no man of late years has equalled Charles Sumner as an instructor or influence in the Senate of the United States.
An instinct of nature prompts us to make some account and sum up the significance of any one's career, privately, on the domestic stage, or before the people, if he has challenged attention in a larger sphere.
It may be useful to make some discriminating estimate of Mr. Sumner's contributions to the public good, the legislature of a free State in a great Union being the monarch that for so long a period continued to elect him to his high office.
However opinions may differ of his prudence or ability, the weight of his word or importance of his position none will doubt.