Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-04-09

the sacre dness of their Office did not forbid
them, they would be deferred by other caus.
es. They see that tE.ir societies are conno.
sed Of men of both political parties. Itwould.
therefore, be extreme folly TO venture an O.
pinion on questions, about which they differ.
& in which they take the most lively interest
This topic has accordingly been cautiously a.
voided. A few years since, we did indeed
see number OF sermons issue from the press.
which treated on public affairs, and were
preached on occasions, when illusions TO this
subject were naturally expected. But these
were not the productions of men of one party
only, but OF both. Such dscourses from the
pulpit have never pleased me, it is not what
humble and deyout hearers expect. Nor are
ministers the best able to instruct their people
OIL such subjects. AT the period, however
of our difficulties with Great Britain, before
our deliverance from her calling yoke, the
clergy greatly advanced the cause of freedom
and strengthened the opposition, by their ad.
dresses from the pulpit. would not retort
the charge, which has been made upon the
ministry Of one denomination. Healing meas
ures must be used would not aggrayate
the difficulties under which christians now Ia.
bour. There is sufficient distinction already
between the followers OF the same master
Christians in England of all persuasions have
assisted in The support of Bible Societies. In
these they have united together, and diferen.
ces of opinion seem to be totally forgotten.
This is an example, worthy of imitation in
every land 1t puts this country to shame
| can cordially agree in many Of the obseva-
tons in the' Baptist'on ministerial faithfulness.
There has indeed been a lamentable decline
from the primitive simplicity and strictness Of
discipline. Those men are first in our es-
TEEN, who, with an apostolic zeal and fidelity.
labour 10 discharge their sacred trust. Who
manifest an anxious concern for the salvation
OF their flock.
venei ate the man, whose hi art is warm,
Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine & whose life
Goincident, exhibit lucid proof,
That he is jealous in the sacred cause,
To such render more than mere respect.
OF many such men, can the congregational
order boast. This character they have gain
ed by their unwear;ed abours in the cause q
Christ. Once religion had fallen extremely
low in our country every thing had decay
ed, the life had retired to the very roots Of
the tree, once fair and fourishing. But this
period has passed by, and the enhyening
influence Of the spirit and the warm beams Of
the sun of righteousness have impaired new
life, and have already clothed it with ver-
dure which promises abundant fruit. Our
fair prospects, we hope, are not destined to be
blastoa by religious dissensions. We know
too well, that there are men, who will make
religion, in some way, the means Of accom-
plishng their ambitious projects. Ofsuch men,
let christians beware. If they do not put on
the cloak of religion, they address the inter-
ests of religious men, and lead them unsus-
peeting into their snares.
We have cause TO suspect that these meas
ures have been resorted TO, in promoting the
separation OF the district. This is no impu-
ta,ion on any religious sect. The crime is at
the door OF those, who hypocritically pretend
TO aregard for religious freedom, when the
sole object is political aggrandizement.
CiRlSTIANUS.