A SPEECH DELIVERED AT THE ANTI-WAR MEETING IN FANUEIL HALL, February 4, 1847 113 V. A SERMON OF THE MEXICAN WAR.--Preached at the Melodeon, on Sunday, June 25, 1848 127 VI. A SERMON OF THE PERISHING CLASSES IN BOSTON.--Preached at the Melodeon on Sunday, August 30, 1846 185 VII. A SERMON OF MERCHANTS.--Preached at the Melodeon, on Sunday, November 22, 1846 227 VIII. A SERMON OF THE DANGEROUS CLASSES IN SOCIETY.--Preached at the Melodeon, on Sunday, January 31, 1847 279 IX. A SERMON OF POVERTY.--Preached at the Melodeon, on Sunday, January 14, 1849 333 X. A SERMON OF THE MORAL CONDITION OF BOSTON.--Preached at the Melodeon, on Sunday, February 11, 1849 364 I. THE RELATION OF JESUS TO HIS AGE AND THE AGES.--A SERMON PREACHED AT THE THURSDAY LECTURE, IN BOSTON, DECEMBER 26, 1844. JOHN VII. 48. "Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed on him?" In all the world there is nothing so remarkable as a great man; nothing so rare; nothing which so well repays study. Human nature is loyal at its heart, and is, always and everywhere, looking for this its true earthly sovereign. We sometimes say that our institutions, here in America, do not require great men; that we get along better without than with such. But let a real, great man light on our quarter of the planet; let us understand him, and straightway these democratic hearts of ours burn with admiration and with love. We wave in his words, like corn in the harvest wind. We should rejoice to obey him, for he would speak what we need to hear. Men are always half expecting such a man. But when he comes, the real, great man that God has been preparing,--men are disappointed; they do not recognize him. He does not enter the city through the gates which expectants had crowded. He is a fresh fact, brand new; not exactly like any former fact. Therefore men do not recognize nor acknowledge him. His language is strange, and his form unusual. He looks revolutionary, and pulls down ancient walls to build his own temple, or, at least, splits old rocks asunder, and quarries anew fresh granite and marble.