Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-11-10
Dclinqucncies Of the Clergy.
From the True Democrat.

rum mt lIuc democrat.
We reverence the man of God who proves
The holiness of his calling by "a simple, yet
honest discharge of all his duties.
There is ~eloquence nl the voice of n min
istcr; it falls like sweet music on the ear
when it goetl up in prayer, or swells like a
terrible blast as it lays bare the heart of the
sinner yet there is deeper eloquence still in
holy life. Thai speaks to the soul, as words
wrapped in fire, fail to do. 1t is the crown
ing beauty OF goodness. Men gaze upon it,
speak of it, and follow il, as heaven-inspired,
even while clad in eartl's vcsture.
Learning possesses not necessarily this no.
" life; nor genius; nor yet the gift to move
men TO tears, or to drive them fiom the ways
of sin. Nor is poverty, or ignorance, or half
letter6d philosophy because uniformed, de-
priyed of it. The holy life seems to be part
and parcel of the character of some human
beings-to grow up with them; and to make
selt-sacrifce, endurance, disinterestedness,
and uuthfillness, the essence of their spirit.
And when they 90 out among their fellows,
they act so directly and simply-spenk on all
subjects with so much quiet beauty, honesty
and force, that they who are near them cau-
not help listening TO their counseIs, and,
while listening, resolving TO obey them
But it is rare-oh how rare Ito witnesst this
holy life i'll sacred places-to see Cons min
listers thus true TO duty. And why is it SO 2
Because they do not speak the truth that is
in them, as they see it and feel it.-And
when this is so, the world knows by instinct
that they do not. And therein ministers fail
and do irreparable injury TO tlie cause of re
ligion itself; for although large congregations
support theml-thouglI they are eloquent
though they are influential and considered
popular, yet they have no ferver of oul-
none of that sacred union which natures
spiritual life, and which can only inspire
those whom they can instruct.
The Master came, II peasant from a hamlet
among the wilds of Gallilee, and went about
doing good. lie courted no earthly power.
He bowed before no human prejudice. He
neither paused TO enquire what the Hebrew
world said OF wiled. lie obeyed the voice
of the Father within him, and as he taught
on the hillside or mingled with the crowd
on the beach of the lake, or stood up teach
er in the lone places or ihronged marts, did
what that babe him do. Do his followers
likewise? Dare they, in distant approach TO
the majesty of his divine goodness, speak
fcarlessly to the powerful, and as iearlessly
4 ssss$ y ann ~ 1A'i Y issa} Hss-5nlen nlse
cringe before authority, who are bound by
letters of selfishness and of fear, when they
should wear only the bright badge of free
dom Sabbath days come and go as of old
appointed occasions exist opportunities pre-
sent themselves without end yet, the ma
loriiy of the ministers of the gospel have no
plea to enter in behalf of the bond-no pro-
test 10 make for their poor kindred in blood
and color-no denunciation TO offer against
that slavery which dooms both to u hopeless
degradation.
We ask not that this subject shall be made
n perpetual theme of pulpit discourse we