Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-10-29

TO occupy. When they, and those they lead,
are converted TO the Christianity Of Christ, it
will be time enough to turn to the Geniiles.
q.
REv. Ma. CLARK's SERMON AGAINST Tna
MExIcAN WAR-This sermon was delivered
last evening in the church formerly occupied
by the Congregation Of DR.. Coz, in Gran
berry ST. The speaker, who is settled az
Portsmouth. n. H.. commenced by speak
ing of the difficulty Of gaining attention 10
the subject Of War. In ume Of peace it WAS
commended that 10 NEEDLE with the subject
was unnecessary. When W. are involved in
war, it was said, it viii be time 10 consider
it. And when war was actually npon us.
then forsooih. every mouth must be shut on
pain Of being accused of hostility TO The in
s,ltn,ions of the country or nf ii want Of patri-
otism. Above all. the pulpit mast be silent
on this subject. At The utmost, the clergy
might speak of the wars OF the lsraeliies, OF
the bloody career Of Alexander or Napoleon,
but as 10 The war with Mexico they must rot
speak.
But what is the office Of the ~pulpit7 Why,
to speak az inst sin. And il il is not to raise
its voice against one Of the greatest ontrages
that disgraces the history Of ma lions, Then let
it perish as faithless and unworthy.
THIS war was brought on without any lorG
series Of hostile acts to excite it.. 1t was a
war waged by us upon a sister and weaker
Republic. In the midst Of the greatest ma.
ulonal, intellectual and spiritual advantages
and benefits, We had plunged into this bloc
dy and unjust contest. In tits conncction
the speaker would endeavor 10 bring forward
some of the reasons why this nation should
never engage in war.
In The first place war was destructive TO
the prosperity Of the people. Mr.. Clark
then contrastrd our present condition with
that in which WI should have been Ind we
been engaged in warlike pursuits. From tho
examples Of Rome, England and France the
speaker urged the RIGHTEOUSNESS Of war 10
the highest interests of men.
And what had Mexico done that her terri
tory should be invaded and ravaged, her cit
izens slain and her towns seized by hostile
armies Why, her crime was that she abols
ished slavery, and now she must be Destroy
ed in order that that accursed system might
be once more established on her soil.
N the next place, war was hostile 10 our
political Institutions. The whole tendency
Of war was to est blish a despotism. More
over we had not forgotten how, at the break
ing out Of this war, the resources of the coun-
try were turned from their legitimate use 10
: subserve the purposes Of war. The bill for
tlftl III ~ improvements as VtlOtb
in order that the money might be devoted to
the destruction Of life and property, to the
carrying on OF The war. The speaker then
dwell in the most fOrcible manner on The in
fiuence of war, Of the character Of those en-
gagged in it. nnd pictured in strung outline the
horrors which have attended our conquesis in
Mexico. Must we not see how The despo-
iism Of a military life necessarily unified
men 10 discharge the peaceful duties of eiti-
zPns. and how the moral sentiments can
} scarcely escape entire corruption in such
scenes as the wal daily brought before them1
Were our Government an absolute despo-
tism, the slavish submission enforced on our
ciIizens who are in the army would not be
discordant with our institutions. The spea-
ker then spoke with much earnestne SIS against
3 the rewards so often bestowed on soldiers az
such. and especially against the idea that the
! services of a military chicffain could OUT
! weigh, as claims to the highest office in tho
? Peoples gift, all the most eminent qualities
! of our best statesmen.
3 Again, wal was contrary 10 the spirit Of
, our religion. On this head The speaker dwell
! at length with great power of argument and
I Illustration, and showed that in the Mexican
l war every Christian principle was trampled
' under foot. If II was the destiny Of this ma
: ton TO advance, it was her high mission TO
N'iI ~ u AHt w. " u dllus w lnV IlEhN
: of the Gospel, and by benefits done to al
= other nations. To enter on a bloody and de-
3 s%tructive war for the extension of slavery,
0 was to be false TO the principles on which
@ our institutions are founded, false 10 our an
3 c%estors, false to our religion, false to our higi
i mission. false to our God
o But we were told by some that this wal
e with Mexico was popular. This the sPeake
" denied. He believed it was quite the oppo
I site. 1t only needed the voices Of the cler-
gy and Of the press 10 be honestly and bold
ly expressed, 10 have it heard and effeciuaI
Let them, then, speak out, and they would a
: any rate have the satisfaction of knowing
l. tha, they had borne their testimony against
t cruel, destructive and horrible war, that il
# destroying our civil and religions Institutions
: and laying up a heritage of shame for onl
d country. And, above All, they would have
d the Lord OF Heaven and Earth on their side
y for they would speak in behalf OF the eterna
g principles OF His kingdom.
u Do RIGHT-YoU CANNOT no BETfER.-
IS admi! not indecisinn in the grave question