BOSTON:
HORACE B. FULLER,
(Successor to Walker, Fuller, and Company,)
245, Washington Street.
1867.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by
THEODORE PARKER,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court
of the District of Massachusetts.
I.
A Speech at a Meeting of the Citizens of Boston
in Faneuil Hall, March 25, 1850, to Consider the
Speech of Mr. Webster PAGE 1
II.
A Speech at the New England Anti-Slavery Convention
in Boston, May 29, 1850 38
III.
A Discourse Occasioned by the Death of the late
President Taylor.—Preached at the Melodeon, on
Sunday, July 14, 1850 87
IV.
The Function and Place of Conscience, in Relation
to the Laws of Men; a Sermon for the
Times.—Preached at the Melodeon, on Sunday, September
[Pg iv]22, 1850 131
V.
The State of the Nation, considered in a Sermon
for Thanksgiving Day.—Preached at the Melodeon,
November 28, 1850 180
VI.
The Chief Sins of the People.—A Sermon delivered
at the Melodeon, on Fast Day, April 10, 1851 230
VII.
The Three Chief Safeguards of Society, considered
in a Sermon at the Melodeon, on Sunday,
July 6, 1851 292
VIII.
The Position and Duties of the American Scholar.—An
Address delivered at Waterville, August 8, 1849 346
Mr. President and Fellow Citizens: It is an important occasion which hasbrought us together. A great crisis has occurred in the affairs of theUnited States. There is a great question now before the people. In anyEuropean country west of Russia and east of Spain, it would produce arevolution, and be settled with gunpowder. It narrowly concerns thematerial welfare of the nation. The decision that is made will helpmillions of human beings into life, or will hinder and prevent millionsfrom being born. It will help or hinder the advance of the nation inwealth for a long time to come. It is a question which involves thehonor of the people. Your honor and my honor are concerned in thismatter, which is presently to be passed upon by the[Pg 2] people of theUnited States. More than all this, it concerns the morality of thepeople. We are presently to do a righ