Can we be too guarded as to our great experiment? The first practical result, then, indicated by past history, is, that political power, in monarchies, empires, &c., has been under the control of mere priestly mysteries. The next is, that human nature is always the same, and will endeavor to accomplish the same result. Take the history of the past, what are we to anticipate for the future? Can we judge but from the past? Have they not endeavored to govern Europe? We can only allow the will of freemen to govern us. The will that has, on oath, submitted itself to the control of a foreign power, is not that of a _free man_, and our duty is to watch it. Let, then, every secret become a mystery; or, a revealed secret. If it be good to one, let it be good to all. Secure equality of rights. Collision of mind strikes out the sparks of truth. Secure universal education by free schools, ensuring unity of language, but leaving thought free; and the result will be, that secrecy will have become a mystery, or revealed knowledge to all. Education, and the freedom of the press, are the {120} true safeguards of a republic. Interfere with the exercise of no religion; but let no one system of faith control your government. Frown down every effort of priests or clergy to meddle with politics. Then shall we avoid the errors of the past, preserve our present union, and hope for the spread of the true principles of liberty. With education will be united true piety, each assisting the other, no matter what the peculiar system of faith. Do away with secrecy altogether, and let every blessing that knowledge can confer, be devoted to public information, and the good of all. So, shall the abuses of secrecy be done away with for ever--and it shine forth only in the holy sphere to which it should be confined, to modesty and domestic virtue, religious meditation and prayer, and prudence in the transactions of life. THE END. * * * * * Notes [1] St. Matt. xi. 28. [2] Montgomery. Hymn 134. Book of Common Prayer. [3] St. John, Gospel, iv. 44. [4] Mal. i. 2. [5] 1 Corinthians ii. 7-10, 12, 13, 16. Ibid. iv. 1, 5. [6] 2 Corinthians iv. 7. [7] 1 Corinthians xv. 22. [8] St. Matthew xxv. 14 to 29, inclusive. [9] St. Paul (Rom. xvi. 25, 26) defines "mystery" as above given: "Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets," &c. [10] Exodus vi. 2, 3. "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord [or JEHOVAH], and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by _the name of_ God Almighty; but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them." [11] Genesis vii. 2, 3. [12] Ibid vii. 9. [13] Ibid xii. [14] Ibid xx. [15] Ibid xxvi.