The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-11

One o. ihe ocean steamers Will probably arrive
to.dsy The Sarah Sands is in her twenty second,
and the Niagara in her fifteenth day. The news,
when itcc:ved, will be given in an Extra Herald.
The Fy;, sthOod and Benevolent Societies.
A proneness to obtain control over mems minds
has been characteristic of the clergy, of all de-
nominations, Christian and Pagan, from the ear
hest tines to the present day. Free as this coun-
Try ls il is not completely emanc lpated from the
thralden, Of priestcraft; and were 1t not for the
liberty and independence of the press we are salts
fed thai people would be as much the slaves of
their pre- SIS as are those OF any other country.
Prlestcra'r, or tyranny of any kind, however, can
not gain such an ascendancy over mems minds as
1t woud desire, as long as freedom of the press
exists. That mighty power grapples with it,
wherever it exhibits its cloven foot 1t treats it as
itwouid error IN any other form, and always trl-
umphs in the contest.
We do not wish the public to suppose that we
are hostile 10 tho priesthood, as Glass; or that we
would. IN the slightest degree, detract from the ho-
Illness Of their calling. On the contrary, we would
have them believe that we honor and respect the
priesthood OF all denominations, and would like
to see them respected by every man. While we
would do this, however, we would con6ne them
within their own peculiar sphere. We would not
have them descend from the altar, cross in hand,
and erter the of politics. for the purpose of
exciting the passions of one portion of the people
against another; We would not have them, as they
are IN Mexico, controlling element in the govern
ment; we would not have them, as they have re-
Gently done In Ireland, ascend the pulpit and use
she sanctity of their calling to stop the progress of
one OF the hottest efforts ever made by an oppressed
and downtrodden people, to overturn a corrupt,
desqotic, and bloody government. In word,
they are very well In their proper place, and we
would keep them IN their proper place. If, from
any excuse, they left their appropriate sphere, we
would denounce them. We would nip in the bud
any attempts they might make to attain an undue
influence over the people, or engage in matters
which concern them not.
OF this character is an extraordinary case of
prlestly interference, which took place at Roches-
ter, IN this State, few days since. We will
briefly explain the circumstances. A member of
the Order OF Odd Fellows, living In Buffalo, died
there, and his body was taken to Rochester for
interment AS mark OF respect to the deceased,
the brethren of the order the latter city received
the body at the cars, and formed an escort to the
Catholic church in which the funeral services
were to be performed The Odd Fellows en-
tered the church, as a matter OF course; but
before the services were commenced, the ofIiciat-
ing priest requested every member OF a secret
society to leave the church. Thinking rightly
that the occasion was too solemn to permit
them to rebuke the priest for his insolence, the
Odd Fellows withdrew from the church.
Now, we will put II to our readers whether they
ever heard of more insolent or impudent piece of
interference than this. In the presence of the
deceased, and his friends and relatives, this priest
took occasion to 60 out of his way to insult
benevolent association, which Is based on friend
ship, love- and truth, to all mankind; which recog-
nlzes distinction OF birthplace, color, race,
wealth, religion, or pohucs, In Its members; which
aims TO join the whole human race, in every
part OF the world, in the bonds of brotherhood;
which does more good, and relieves more dis
tress, than all the churches combined. What
could be his motivef The good accomplished by
the order of Odd Fellows is acknowledged by all;
and why should it be thus openly and publicly as
sailed, and Its members insulted, and that too by
priest? The reason Is plain. The Church is
all "preachee, preachee, preaches," without
practice and this benevolent society all practice
and no preachee." The Church breaches FRIEND
ship, love, and truth, and the Odd Fellows prac-
tice them. The consequence 10 that modern
prestcratt feels its influence and fears humiliation
for the order Of Odd Fellows and other benevolent
institutions making rapid strides, and inor as,np
at refe quite alarming to the priests OF all denom-
nations. Bishop Hughes, some time since, de-
nounced that order from his altar and newspaper
organs, and other sects are engaged in preventing
its extension, to the utmost Of their ability If the
priests were sincere In their professions, and de-
sired to practice what they preach, instead of
throwing obstacles In the way of the order, they
would JOIN it heart and hand, and bid 1t God-speed
in lis good work. some OF the best OF their cloth
have done and are now dong; for there is hardly
a lodge that does not number among its members,
a clergyman of some religious sect.
As long as we are at the head OF an independent
press, we will rebuke and denounce all such acts
a. we have mentioned. We wilt never consent
that priests parsons shall NEEDLE with what does
not concern them-we will denouncs fanatielsm
OF every kind, religious, or political.