The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-11-15

We do not write these lines to d.
minish confidence in the ministry; but
that our readers may observe and Judge
for themselves who are entitled to their
confidence and support. We, at all
times, regret 10 find fault with any por-
tion Of those who profess to teach the
truths as contained in Holy Writ:
From the Ohio Statesman.
The following comes to usin lady's hand, and
we will say word on publishing it We think
the great error into which people run is expecting
more of clergymen than they should They think
because man enters upon the responsible duty of
teaching others holy things, he should be free from
error himself. The history of the world teaches
us a very different lesson, and proves that no men
have been more prone to sustain the corruptions OF
government-no men more ready to become aids
ofpower and oppression, than the Priesthood
They tell this Of one another, and it cannot be
gainsayed by any. Nothing is more notorious than
the dlssolute private characters Of English no.
bility, and their hope and stay is the church, which
is part and parcel of the government The whig
clergymen, who SO readily and so anxiously sus-
tanned Mr.. Clay, only proved that they were no
more than mortas, with all the frailties of other
men, who make no profession of religion at all,
and that immortality in public men only becomes
oery offensive when found in democrat.
These things, as bad as they appear to the prop
erly constituted mind, will end in good--it will
teach those who are too free to throw themselves
into the keeping Of men who wear the clerical
robes, that it is on the great creator of all things
they can alone rely. They must reason and think
for themselves if they desire happiness and con-
science void of offence. They must not lean on
broken reed, but place their strength on the rock
that never yields to the tempest of corruption.-
Expect no mole from cergymen than from other
men-judge all from their acts, and take nothing
for granted, because il comes from any particular
quarter-trust to your own good works for your
standing among men, and place your reliance on
the only Great Power that never deserts the truly
good.
The drunken hard cider and log cabin scenes of
no. and those that have just transpred, have pretty
effectually placed coon cergymen out Of the pale
of very exalted public opinion. And as Pope says
that "whatever is, s right, making up one great
"Universal whole, there may be right in all this
Of yet unperceived benefit to our correspondent
and others. But do not for a moment saddle these
things on the religion taught IN the book of Cod
in every leaf of nature, and our own souls. We
hope to be excused for this apparent sermon; but as
there said to be time for all things we thought
better time could not happen than the present,
for saying thus much on the evidently called for
occasion:
For the Ohio Statesman.
The conduct ofthe Ministers of the Gospel in
the present political contest will leave All indeble
stain on the name ofregon. How can men who
in the face of God and the world, profess to be fol-
lowers of the "meek and lowly Jesus, and humble
ministers in his cause, sanction, nay, even encour
age and reward the vices ofa man whose character
is dyed with the very blackness Of immorality'-
Can you ever again dare to preach from the pulpit,
that morality, which the Holy Jesus inculcated in
the minds ofhs di.cpes while on earth, and left |
to us as lasting record in his Holy Word, while
in His wrath denounced? Can you again do this :
Ifso your words will fall Oh hearts chilled and fro
zen by your hypocrisy--hearts over which you
will never have an Influence, except, perhaps
to harden. We would ask, have you considered
your fearful responsibility Know that you, who
profess 10 take charge of souls, are yourselves
stumbling blocks" in the way of many, who, had
they seen consistency in ministers might have been
Christians.
We have heard of some since the election who
have vowed never again 10 enter Church in this
city, for what honest man but would turn indg- |
nantly from those whose hearts sanction not the |
words Of their lips' 30 generation of'viperS, how
can ye, being evil speak good hngs;"
The decline of vital religion, indicates general
decline of the church, and when the church be-
comes corrupted, have we not reason to tremble |
for our liberties and our once glorious Republic?-
Does not history bear record that corrupt priest
hood have been the means Of over,urning govern
ments and causing revolutions which destroyed the |
happiness of millions, and ought we not to fear the
secret corruption which may corrupt the mass
and bring to light those things which we despise
and know 10 be wrong? In these turbulent times
when law is violated and honor dsregarded, it is
certainly the duty administers to maintain eau
tious ground in regard to politics, and by precept
and example endeavor to instil into the minds of
individuals those virtuous principles which
will alone secure the happiness and peace ofcom-
munities. Let net religion blush for her cham
pions, but may they become as .'shining lights"
which will dispel the moral darkness gathering
around.
BETrlNe.-We have thought that
the pockets Of some Of our whig friends
feel lighter since the result of the cleo
ton is known. How is it, wings?