10 



of language have impressed the idea that the word govern- 

 ment imports, of itself, a governing and a governed class. 

 There is, undoubtedly, a sense in which this is true, but in 

 spirit and in essence it is false. So also there is prevalent a 

 vague idea that the object and purpose of government is to 

 compel, in the subjects of it, compliance with its will. Like 

 the former, there may be a sense in which this is true, but 

 like the former, in its spirit and essence it is false and per- 

 nicious. 



There must be government. We may say it has its origin 

 in necessity; or we may use another phrase and say, govern- 

 ment is ordained of God. We mean the same thing, which- 

 ever expression M^e may use; for in either case we mean, only, 

 that in the Providence of God, man was made to associate with 

 man ; and men cannot associate in masses without some or- 

 ganization. That organization, in the mode which shall best 

 advance the interests of man, is the best government. To 

 ascertain what that best government is requires us to look 

 at the purpose and end of human life. The assembly's 

 catechism, which very many of us believe, defines the chief 

 end of man to be, to glorify God and enjoy him forever. 

 AVhether we accept this definition as the true one or reject 

 it, we certainly all agree in this, that man's personal rela- 

 tion with the Divine Creator constitutes his highest interest 

 in life. It is a personal — an individual relation — and out 

 of it grow the paramount obligations of life. To secure 

 the individuality of that relation is the highest and most 

 important duty of each person, and with this there is — 

 there should be — no human power to interfere. It is neces- 

 sary, therefore, that government shall be so constituted as not 

 to interfei-e with the fullest development of such individual- 

 ity ; and, consequently, it follows, that there shall be no in- 

 terference with individual conduct, but that eveiy person 

 shall be allowed to act as he himself deems proper, Avithout 

 control or influence from any source. Inasmuch, however, 

 as absolute freedom from all control in every individual and 



