As it becomes more and more apparent that church and state union is practically fastened upon the United States Government, men are beginning to see wherein the seeds of the iniquity were sown almost in the beginning, and its principles have been in a measure fostered all the way down. But they have been brought to see it only through the increasing boldness of its demands, which are apparently based on a consciousness of a secure footing. In a recent discussion in Congress of the question of sectarian appropriations, Representative McGuire, of California, uttered the following pointed sentiment:— “The Constitution of the United States forbids Congress to establish religion—commands that it shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. Let me suggest to my friends who are so eager to divorce church and state—and none favor it more strongly than I—where a first step should be taken in putting this provision of the Constitution into operation. There is an establishment of religion right here in this House, and repeated appropriations of public money for the establishment and promotion of religion here, which, in my judgment, we ought to stop before we take up the subject of charitable appropriations to sectarian hospitals and asylums. The election of a Chaplain of this House is an act representing an establishment of religion. You can not select a Chaplain to pray for heavenly guidance for this House without having first determined that he is a minister of the true religion. How worse than useless, nay, how terrible it would be to select a minister of a false religion to serve as a medium of communication between this House and the Almighty. His appointment would be an insult to the Divinity, and his prayers would be blasphemies, bringing curses instead of blessings. We do necessarily establish a religion in the election of a Chaplain to conduct religious services for the House, and we do it in defiance of the constitutional provisions which absolutely forbid it. We have no right to do it, and no right to appropriate a dollar of public money for this purpose. “I make these suggestions in no spirit of hostility to the churches nor to any church. I recognize their great power for good among men. I believe they will be stronger and greater when they shall be entirely separated from the state, and I believe that the state will likewise be made stronger and better and purer by such separation. This is a civil government, deriving nothing from the church, and capable of giving nothing to it. It should be strictly non-sectarian—professing no religion, but respecting and equally protecting all.” Some congressmen recognize the church and state principle in the government chaplaincies, the appropriations for Catholic and other religious institutions, the Sunday laws, etc., etc., but the trouble with most of this class is that they think the evil may be overcome by exposure and political opposition. They will find, however, that it is here to stay, and to grow and complete the work of which the prophet speaks in Rev. 13:11-17. It will only be destroyed in the general wreck of human governments at the coming of the Lord.