The daily union., 1854-10-27
From the 81. Louis Republican.
RELIGION AND POLITICS.

From the ST Louis hepnslcah
RELIGION AND POLITICS.
In the New York Courier and Enquirer of the 18th
hnd the following scrap Of teegraphc
SYRACUSE October l2--BApnsr MISSIONARY CoSyES-
ToS-Ihe Baptist Missionary Convention closed its scs
sion this afternoon. 1t was largely attended
Resolutions hyonng the election of Maine-law egs-
iature ana Malne-aw governor after eicng spirited
discussion were passed by decided majority. After
excited debate the convention also adopted strong resolu
tons against the Nebraska bill by large majority
We have the greatest respect for the denomination of
Christians mentioned in the above despatch and If we
correctly informed the object of their convention in Syra
euse was to consult together the eectual method
OF spreading the light of true religion through the various
dark portions of the earth very noble object this and
quite worthy of careful consultation Indeed it would
seem 10 be of such paramount Importance that ought to
exclude from the consideration of religious assembage
every subject of entirely secular nature Yet we learn
that the Baptist Missionary Convention after delberang
on the lofty theme of the worlds conversion doubtless in
voking the aid Of Him whose kingdom is not of this world
and congratuang each other the speedy approach
the time when peace and goodwill should prevail among
all men, concluded their proceedngsn most ncongruous
manner by wrangng together about the Nebraska bill.
most lame and mpotent conclusiona sudden descent
from what heavenly and spiritual what is of the
earth, earthly"
We do not pretend this time to question the natural
and unaienabe right of the religious convention at
Syracuse to discuss whatever questions they might choose
As free and independent citizens OF country where the
liberty of free speech prevails it their undoubed priv
ege if they pleased debate about the probabilities of
Sebastopo being captured by the allied expedition to the
Crmea they might with have discussed the truth
of the late report that perpetual motion had been dis
covered and the circle squared they might have AMI
madvered the proceedings of the recent baby
ton in Ohio; and could deny their individual right
to talk upon these subjects and pass resolutions to their
hearts content But if any outsider asked whether
such proceedings relevant and good taste he would
probably answer by bland and significant smile In like
manner the Baptist Missionary Convention had natural
right to quarrel that celebrated bone of contention
the Nebraska bill but the fact that they did
to every candid mind to argue lamentabe deficiency of
good taste and harmony in their discussions
Perhaps there is distinguishing characteristic OF
true Christian religion than its total of affinity with
politics The mythologes of Greece and Rome
sentay political in their nature, linked to the State by
ties of common interest and rendering the ruler assist
in the way of collecting taxes and preserving order
Naturally enough they lost in due time whatever sig
nhcnce they had possessed and took their deserved
positions departments of government protected by
law enforced by edcts, and abused 10y tyrans dema
gogues But Christianity, proof of its miraculous mis-
sion, to in different form Ii doctrine
nobler and ofer than any which the world had known
beforea universal fact suddenly revealed TO by his
Makeret strangely enough adapting itself to all sorts and
conditions of men under all forms Of by
descending their level and degrading ITSELF but by
entering into them inward, VITAL and transforming
principle and thus elevating them TO dignity
believers of the same high faith 1t was powerful leaven
working within, in the depths of mans nature; and thus
and thus only influencing his outward condition 1t
maned entirely aoof from all political discussions 1t de-
throned king but sin it excited rebellion; it pro-
claimed divorces without sanconng tyranny, it COM
manded its followers submit to their rulers; without
sanconng cruelty oppression it commanded servants
to obey their masters.
Yet no one will say that Christianity exercised no in
uence in the political and social questions of that early
day 1t them ii is now the great and only true
former But how did it produce change in government
socety2 Not by outward appliances but by inward in
Huence fa ruler yranncai aristocracy corrupt
or people barbarous and ignorant, the apostle did not
say ~ will organize band of true believers will de-
throne this king put death these nobes and this
people by force penal enactmenor he knew that such
reform would be outward fictitious; and temporary but
he sad 81 will plant in their hearts the true seed will
its growth and shall the effects of this
life developing itself in their outward condition When
the hearts of the nation made right then they will
to for hemaeyes that they have wise laws and social
order
high duty devoves on the clergy of this land they
have influence powerful the social and poit
condition this country but it is be gained by
passing resolutions with excited debate by delivering
stump speeches from the pulpit They may influence pub
lie opinion in oitier nober and lasting manner
As all the evil in social political condition springs
from the hearts of lawgvers and citizens the surest
and best way to reform lhoge ey is to purify the source
from which they flow To do this is the trne province of
the divine A good government may be compared TO
tree and religion and morality to the roots which give life
and character it, and the time must be concealed
beneath the earth What then, shall think of those
who would up these noushng roots and expose them
to every breeze that blows? Yet SUCH in effect is the
hon Of those clergy in land who mix together religion
and politics. and thus destroy the e c both by the un
natural union Religion belongs TO mans internal nature
politics affect his external condition Both essential to
his being each exercises its influence the other but by
nature they belong different spheres and their integrity
be preserved only by preserving their natural position
For The Union.
CHOLERA AGAIN AT MARTINSBURG, VIRGINIA. |
MARrIssBURG, October 90 1854. |
The cholera again broke out with great violence in this
place Tuesday the 18th instant Since that time we
have lost twenty-one personsmsling the whole number
Of deaths from that disease in small population one
hundred ard une Its fatality, for the number of persons
attacked has been uct greF during the last than du-
ring Its first visit Within the last Few days nave lost
of the brightest female ornaments OF society and
Of the StateMrs. Hoge the wife of John b. Hoge, ESQ.,
nrntni ont man of Ra-