Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-24
THE porJrIcaL PRIESTHOOD.


The Rieka0na Christian Adrocae The leading journal In
interests Of the Methodist Church South administers
though severe rebuke TO political priesthood OF New
In Introducing extract from the able article IN
the AaUoea forbear an expression OF gratihca
on at the manly and patriotic stand which the Methodiss
OF the South have assumed and maintain In the controversy
between Northern fanacsm and Southern slavery Rather
than yield one lot of Southern rights submit any i'm
pu,aon the Southern character tho Msthodsts OF the
South choose end asunder that vast and powerful organ
zaton which held the fret place among the religious COM
Of the country and which, by its zeal und energy
had won noble position In the vanguard of American ci
vilxalon and Christianity. Since the division In their
Church. The Methodist Ministry 10 the South have been
conspicuous for their devotion the righs Of the South
The Advocate makes tbs following criticism on the re-
OF New England clergy oRans, the Nebras
Ia bi
This sad affair." not for the country but for christian
!,y so ahamsfaly outraged 10 "the house Of s ftiendD
towards the ministerial character When 10 their place en-
gagged In their class OF men n the coun.
try 10 more highly esteemed Than ministers Of the gospel
But when they turn aside from their holy empoymeos and
descend into The Of party political strife, they dele
their mission and lay hcr honor In The dust Instead OF
"wushng thsir hands In nnocency" they soil them with
worldly h, and alain them With crime against their coun.
ys peace They richly merit the rebukes administered BY
gentlemen Of the Senate and must blame themselves II,
hereafter they od themselves Stunned d.turbers of the
public aud The religion they profess and teach suspect
ed Of having much 10 do with the world that now is
little with that whchie como. my kingdom Is
of this werld" said Christ if then would my
servants fight" We write more In sorrow than In anger
express the belief that this furious congomera-
Of every shade of religious opinion and ecclesiastical
poy against the Nebraska bill has more Of earth than
heaven OF time than eternity, n s elements aud objects
and higher renea,ion for mems Judgments than for
Gods, notwithstanding their seeming impression that his
judgments subject the npertinen and vindlctve
movements of their own. They consort, agree and
act with massive openess Ia this case, but Ii the
question concerned the sending of missionary to
convert the Chinese, they could not bo woed into
the same building together brought within bow
shot of each other without vexaons dsputinas, and
soctaraa wranglngs. We inter this opnon with profound
humiatun but with profound conVicucn OF lts trutn
and justice Il is painful witness such desecration OF
ministerial character watch the movements OF men, OF
whom might be expected engaged IN crusade
against tho rights of The South, and trnDg thsir prestly
dus, accomplish objects not mentioned IN
their commission dreamed Of 10 the acts and ~
pQs Of the apostles. These The evil works that endan
ger our glorious Federal Union. Blinded with paeslon and
with for Than Samson Tor the loss
bis eyes, they seize pillars Of the temple and seek to
bring of ruins upon their hcads 10 these
clerical a2atos with their ceaseess bayngs against the
constantly and deepening In the public mind,
there Is something sacred than the union OF these
States and something deal more 70 be dreaded than
their dissolution If the conception reaches Its consumma
ZION 10 the dissolution Of Federal compact the evil and
all the disastrous convusions attendant upon It, must be
cbed the OWL Vaccinations Of those ministers who as In
the before turn aside from the peaceful pursuits OF
their calling engage 10 reckless political Drawings and to
prosecute ruthless invasion of the rights oi oihere