Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-12-23

in political and other temporal affairs but finding
the following in the Union of last week have
concluded to adopt it for the present. reservng for
future occasion such remarks as we may choose
to make - s.
"TnE HogK PERIL. One of the most saddening
signs of the times is the bold and ostentatious inter-
ference in politics by large class of the American
clergy. In Baltimore, on the last thanksgiving day,
minister of God astounded his congregation by
Illuminating stump speech from the pulpit, filled
with abuse of General Pierce and his cabinet. Many,
it is said, retired in disgust and some in their
seats to rebuke and refnte his ribald calumnies.
Others again. devote themselves to the most excIt-
ing harrangues in favor of the secret party. In
Philadelphia, before the last October election,
minister openly declared that he would not trust a
democrat as representative, and at the same time
called upon his friends to nominate common
profgate their temperance candidate; and it was
done. The most violent utilization of the people
of the South from the pulpit is a common occur
renee in the New England States; and it is only
few months ago that distinguished cIergymen incit-
ed the population to riot and to resistance against
the laws Even a Boston jury has been compelled
to present of these gentle butchers" for trial.
The Bible seems to have been closed by men whose
duty it is to gather instruction and blessings from
its holy leaves. God is forgotten in the hot pursuit
OF another sect. federation is thrown aside in the
eager thirst for political revenge Instead of good
wishes and healing prayers and kind counses to tine
President of the United States surrounded as he is
with almost incalcuable responsibilities he is pro-
claimed traitor and covered with odium by cler-
cal retailers of party falsehoods There is hardly
word of kindness for southern brethren heard
from many of the northern pupits. Greelys Tri-
bune seems to be sort of inspiration to those who
should teach peace on earth, and goodwill among
men" and the men, women, and children who re-
side in the South doomed to utter damnation by
political divines and abolition fanatics. p.
Well may the Christian despond as he realizes
the present unhappy condition of things Where
will it end? Where will this torrent of Sdirected
zeal and inf1ammatory prescription of seets and
ton be arrested? Are to sec the errors and ex-
cesses that have resulted from religious intolerance
and bigotry in the OLD, renewed on the fresh and
unpolluted theatre of the New World?
10 show that we do not speak too strongly,
call the attention of the country to the following
traordinary report of the Michigan Annual Confer
their last September session. The gentleman who
sends it to US says in his letter. 81 have always
literally supported the Methodist Episcopal church;
but until my mind is changed, 1 never will sit
der the preaching of any clergyman who dabblcs in
politics or supports these resolutions" We hope
they will be carefully read
REPORT.
American slavery is an invasion of the rights of
God 1t is an iniracton of the eternal law of Jeho-
vah it wages war with the administration of Divine
justice and goodness; il is opposed throughout to
the spirit and teachings of the Bible it is distract
ing and dividing, if not destroying, the churches
of Christ i'll this land; it is subversve of all the
true interests of the nation and in its present alarm
ngly aggressive movements is threatening the very
existence OF our federal Union and republican gov
ernmcnt.
Therefore resolved by this conference
l. That we share. fully in the general Indignation
now agating all the free States, created by the
peal of the Missouri Compromise by which it is
made possible that of the farest portions of the
national domain, once consecrated by solemn act
of legislation to freedom forever may become the
theatre OF such system of oppression and inquity
as could not be introduced into any other civilized
country on the face of the earth.
1'hnfru Al IL.
operations of the fugtve-save law and will use all
proper means whatever to contribute to the forina
ton of such public opinion as will peremptorily
and absolutely demand its repeal by the national
Congress.
3. That we panied at the very thought that
slavehoding, voluntary and mercenary exists in the
Methodist Episcopal church, and that we will use
our utmost influence to augment the existing amount
OF anti-slavery sentiment in the church to such
intensity of advancing power will etfectually,
through the proper channels of ecclesiastical action
totally all the evils of slavery from Zion.
4. That we are in favor of the next general con-
ference enactng such rule of discipline as will
Operate to exclude all saveholding members from
the Methodist Episcopal church.
We are reminded, while perusing these violent
and vindctiye sentiments, that at this moment
movement is also making in the South to induce
Christian ministers to lend their influence to the
other fanatcism of know nothingism. Thus,
extreme of the Union is called upon by religious
conference to organize against another extreme,
OF the same church; while, as if in blind and start
ling submission to this decree, those who are de-
nounced as guilty. set up themselves, in their turn,
to prescribe and, punish all WHO do not happen to
agree with them in their politico-religious party
views! The clergymen of the North pour out their
walls upon their brethren of the South while those
of the South said to be organizing against all
who differ from them on the subject of know-noth-
ings. spectacle like this is well calculated to
awaken the apprehensions of the patriot
Let, us hope, however, that the public mind,
when it calmly contemplates the doctrines set forth
by these infatuated men-when it fully realizes the
fearful crusade to which they lending their aid
the revolutionary doctrines, social and POLITICAL
which they seek to enforce-and the wild phrensy
that mpels them in their efforts to destroy the fab
ric of our civil liberties let us hope that the pub
lie mind, reused to sense Of all these things will
react against the danger correct the downward ten
dency of affairs, and lift up that pure banner of re-
hgious liberty and of political equality which is
trampled in the dust by combination of fanatics
and demagogues. We will answer for the democra-
tic party in this crisis Defeated, but not dismay
ed if it has lost of its members it has not lost
its "ndomitabe WILL its undyng faith, its sublime
courage, and that patient spirit which waits for the
hour when the people will once more rally around
its principles and its men. Never were the immor-
tai lines of Byron more applicable to the democratic
party than at present:
"Yet Freedom Yet thy banner torn, but flying
Streams like the thunderstorm Ggdinst the wind;
The loudest still the tempest leaves behind;
I Thy tree hath lost its bOssonSSand the rind
Chopped by the axe, looks rough end little WORTH
Bur f.ASTs and still the seed we find n d
Sown deep, eaen in the 6oson,s Of the North:
SO shalt better spring less bitter fruit bring forth.
~ We have heard it limited that there are two