The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-24
ECCLEsIAsTEs.

To the Editor Of the National Era:
In your valuable journal of the 9th instant
a writer, under the signature of Senior" has
quite a lengthy article regarding the clergy
their position, prospects, duty, &c, TO which
would respectfully beg leave to make few re-
marks if not contrary TO your rules for cores
pondents. The practice of delivering lectures
literary and scientific, has become more popu-
lar than formerly; and as they and the exer-
cises of the pulpit are to some degree similar,
says the writer, "must be affected by it," That
this shall be the case, ] venture to say is far
from being source of regret to the clerical
profession. ! can never teach myself to believe
that it shall fear competition from any source
which proposes to instruct and enlighten man.
kind. As to modern exercises containing little
deserving the name of worship, is point upon
which a reformer and churchman would
differ Grant that the modern order of public
worship may not find an exact type in the
practice of the Saviour or His Apostles but for
every part of that service we contend the
Evangelical churches have not only example
but command The sad complaint is urged
that the modern pulpit has become a sort of
popular FORUM If the writer is not welded
to error, why does he fear open and manly in
vestigation? Danish discussion from the pulpit,
and you remove one of the pillars of the Ref
ormation. The doctrines of Professionalism are
emineptly practical They were never intend
ed to bear the two-fold incarceration of being
confined to an unknown tongue and the gloomy
walls of monastery. And is it not rather
source of pleasure, and often profit, that their
calculation sometimes invades the territory of
lay teachinga"
Whose fault is it that eve remember less of
a thousand sermons than of anything else 2"
Certainly not altogether that of the preacher
Whatever DR.. Beecher may have meant by
that remark, shall risk the assertion that he
would not send the distracted minister to the
middle ages for an example of Evangelical SER
mon-making
By "unmixed worship" | suppose the writer
refers to the Catholic church, which he
imagines best adapted to the exigencyD For
blind devotion, we grant that that church is
pre-eminent to all others; and if this is what
he wants, his choice is judicous one. Prot
estantism he thinks rather of recent origin
The appellation may be; but its doctrines, in
point Of antiquity, far surpass any other sect
Her glorious truths sustained the martyrs in
the curling flames, caused Felix to tremble
caused multitudes to wonder when preached
by Christ on the mount and were the same
that cheered the patrisrchal tent of Abraham
Again, says the writer, Established repub-
licanism wants religion ~ that of rebellion
will not answer But shall we be duped into
the belief that religion must follow every
change of government eften dictated by the
infatuated clamor of the multitude! Must the
ambassadors of Christ conforming to the state
of the times, preach peace-sermons and care
fully avoid all discussion, when the country
may have laid down their weapons of war? If
such was to be the case, should dread the
LaOdicean lukewarmness that would charac-
terize the church.
Again, he holds out the idea that the mod
ern clergy should shut their eyes to the absurd
tiles Of Catholicism that they have lost ground
ever since the discussion between Hughes and
Breckenridge We rather think the judicious
historian will consult facts, before he attributes
the revival of Romansm to any such discus
sion. But what would be the consequence of
his gagging of Protestant divines? Could true
religion be promoted by such base silence?
Can we respect the advocates of any system,
either in philosophy or religion, who suffer it's
doctrines to be belied, and themselves traduced
and viifed without repelling the charge, if
untrue? How much less can we esteem that
Protestant who suffers truth to be sacrificed
upon the altar of prescription If he has truth
on his side, let him use it. as the light which
shall expose the errors of every other system.
hope, 30 long as the enemy retains its present
position the day is far distant when true reli-
gion shall lay down the weapons of her war
fare. | say to the chivalrous polemic Go on !
and let death only terminate the battle of your
faith. JUNIOR