In Consistency

A gracious Provii'ence has given us a voice n choosing our" own rulers - no gift is without its reíponsibilky. In tliose coumries where birth cstablises a snvereignty and nnbilty. and taeir absolute will elec:s all inferior otFicers, the diity of Christians is tu "pray for rulers and those in atuhority" - thi? is t lie most that ihey cin do. I3ut when, to ihe privilege of pmyinpr for rnlcrs, is add;d that of a voice in tlieir eleclion, a new duty is enoined, the discharge of which bhould ever correspond willi the prayer. Can a man pray hr lionestif in a pubhc officer, and vote for a knave - or wisdom, and vote for a Jool? Just as consistently as the faithful husbandman may pray fir a crop of tcheat, and sow his field withtórí. Yef, many an íionest farmer, who nnderstands vet y well the principie, that "whatsoever a man soweth shall he also reap,'' is guilty of thiá inconsislency, and the pernicious fruit haiígfl in dense clusters on every branch ot our governnient.