Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-30
AN ELOQUENT PASSAGE.
The PuLpu on Disunion.

Wv
The following eloquent and patriotic sentiments
were delivered before the Arch Street Presbyte-
rian congregation, by the Rev. Charles Wads-
worth, in his inaugural sermon:
Paul's principle, as set forth in the text, applies
as we'll to the Ciuil, as to the Social and Ecclesi-
astic A Christian minister, amid the partizan-
ship of a consmunity's politics, is to 4" know moth
ing save Christ Jesus and him crucifed." His
duties as preacher are superinduced duties. As
Gods Ambassador he comes to man Invested al
together of Fictitious differences. To the sove-
reign and the slave-to the mighty man and the
menial--to the creature fawning on the foot-cloth
of throne, and the freeman standing proudly be-
fore kings in the glory of immortal manhood-to
all alike, he comes, bearing the same flaming cre-
dentials of Gods anger and Gods love; standing
in his high place of embassy, he is not to look that
the Holy Ghost will descend from Heaven to give
point to lesson of craftsmanship or power to an
axiom of political economy. He is to look on
man spirit whose nationality is but deeaying
garment spirit winged for soaring to that high
world where men of all kingdoms and peoples
are one in Christ. He is to forget all minor in
terests. He is to forget all human distinctions.
He is to let the dead bury their dead" He is
to "know nothing save Christ Jesus and Him cru
Gifted"
Meantime we would not be misunderstood here.
Far be it from to bow before this most foul, yet
favorite infidei clamor, whereby Christian minis
ter, by the imposition of Ecclesiastical hands, is
held thereafter Invested of all rights man and
a citizen; even under the shadow ofthe cross, he
will not-he may not-he cannot forget his coun-
try Paul, amid the surprising glories of COM
monwealta like ours, would have cried with even
more than his Roman eXultation, Il am an Amer
ican citizen" Our beloved land, with its bounda-
ries the broadest-its government the freest-its
institutions the noblest the world ever saw, is
Gods great gift to every man who breathes its
blest air, and exults in its sunshine. And woe De
to that man, whether Civilian Ecclesiastic, who
dare lay down at a FOOLS bidding his great birth
right, or prove recreant to one of its ennobling
prerogatives-who dare leave American liberty,
as an unprized thing, to be marred by the hand of
unskful Legislation, or wrecked amid the con-
ficts of self-seeking, ambition-who dare fail in
one title of all he can do 10 give steadfast strength
to American name and American nationality.
Gods pity on the creeping thing that can listen
unmoved to the whisper of Dsunion that rises
even now upon the ear Perish the heart that
throbs not in agonizing desire that this glorious
sisterhood be never broken Palsied be the right
arm that feels not its sinews tighten like steel to
speed our soaring eagle in its flight to the sun -
Stricken be the bosom that bares not itself in full
strength to roll back this desolating surge that
would sweep all these glad and goodful and glori-
GUS things away as wrecks upon the pillows -
Not know my country mot honor my country
not struggle for my country Why then would
be creature without soul, unworthy my minis
try-unworthy my manhood.
Nay, nay-such political wisdom, | will know
Il must know-because absolutely in it, am to
know Christ crucitied, For, my audience, dear