The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-26
For The Union
THOUGHTS FOR THE PEopLE.-So. 5.



The Clergy and their Position
who takes upon himself the sacred office of am
dor for Christ assumes important responsible, and
pc duties and, continuing himself to them he is ent-
respect and confidence The Christian minister
high office and If truly commissioned stands in pc
relations to thepeoplc with whom he comes in con-
The Office he holds is spiritual and not temporal, in
e II has reference to results and consequences es
Iy connected with another state of being, His com
n is TO preach the Gospel to teach men the way of
Instruct them in holy things, and to lead them safe
ugh this sinful world to the pure and hssful regions
This is beautiful and blessed office, sacred in
nctsr, peculiar in its relations and investing the
ho holds and exercises it with character at once
and important
ne Is no part Of the history Of the Saviour more in
and instructive than his relations TO- and nstrut-
reference TO, the government under which, as cit
lived II was not free nor was il good govern
was the arbitrary aud iron rule Of Rome, with
upon the neck Of Jewry 1t was the despotism Of
erial power, under which the masses were crushed
and under which an absolute and cruel slavery
Knitted; and yet against I'LL this we hear from the
Of the Goldman no bitter denuncation, witness no
onary plots, and find no rebellions counseled or
aged. Such mol his missioh In temporal mat
submitted TO the temporal power, and gave to
The things that were Casars lie came not to gov
nations, but 10 the people from their sins His
m was net Of this world, nor did He assume the
robes, or take the position Of power until he as
rom the earth, after having laid In the grave Let
stian citizen study the earthly history Of the Ss-
mankind; let him reflect upon the nature OF His
and His kingdom; and from the study and refec-
will get at the true nature, design, character and
Of the Office Of those who become his ambassadors
hers 10 and among their fellow-men.
rd' not a politician lie took no, upon himself
acter Of statesman. He lefi no rules by which
we're TO be organized and kingdoms governed. He
ono rulers, commissioned no emperors and gave
70 no man 10 set up temporal authorities and prin-
but remained for thirty-three years quiet, orderly
long the business Of His heavenly Father and pre-
he way whereby fallen and sinful man might be
TO the confidence Of God and to the bliss OF
va the character Of the Master such His mis-
ms ule how can the servant justify departure
sue servant greater than the master, or the
ABOVE him who gave the commission All men
"er no. And yet the history Of the whole Chris
Gll OF instances IN which such efforts have been
such power assumed The world has literally
nlsed and drenched IN. blood, because the sacred
been prostituted, and because men who have been
oned to preach the Gospel have taken advantage
ahon to rule as well the State rs the Church 7
rccapitulate the history of the past need not
bloody page from Constantine down to the
Inc The general student Of history viii not fail
ne record, and 10 mark tho causes Of the bloody
60 80 dishgure almost every page Of the past; and
zoe matter not for the purpose Of condemnation
'gy, not to disparagc tho Office, nor 70 throw CON
lon The sacred calling--not at all but instance
as a lesson Of instruction, as a warning TO us, as
" ahke to the man who ministers in holy things.
70 listens as a nearer to the word thus spoken.
mister Of the Gospel the highest respect Is to be
man lie has been set apart to lead men 70
nas been commissioned to instruct in divine and
lungs and he stands, when legitimately execu-
'nmission, removed from the multitude He has
assumed position The most elevated and 70
mortal can fill, and yet one which, from no
Ioaraws him from the world lis pursuits and
rom an active interference with the political
the country.
..unuy all classes are free and particularly i
Nhureh and Statc--and this is one Of the boasts
y rnuy, and perhaps the surest safeguard 70 our
ehaNcno ecclesiastical organizations but such as
" and Tree We have no State clergy, and levy
pS men for preaching Each man worships
oWn reason tells him Is best, and he unites in
sanitation with like freedom, and pays his clergy