The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-11

the enaetmen of government IL States or civilized ma
tons and like all other subjects reatfH 10 humanity ana
submitted for adjustment to the human narxent 10 con-
ventonal authority, Is differently regarded W different
men. Its regulation removal Is necessarily business
Of political nature it Is that Of legislation Aud i may
be regarded Of the most difficult problems which
statesmen called upon 10 solve IL Is more question
of time, method and means, than of prpcple-to say
nothing Of the unustfabe interference OF citizens who
the visionary right aggrayate its evils without
sharing the realities Of It's burdens y has been discussed
by the learned the good, and the Wise during all Time
and the discussion viii be continued long as man Is
subdiyided into different Of varying capacity aud
condition. so long man continues 70 be being OF prog
The process OF Christian civilization ID to be 10
periods of centuries which but moments 10 innity
and the reyerenal student will not fail 70 find in the his
orca lessons Of Providence that the Almighty pow
r that numbers and guards the sparrow ia ~ hight ana
fall no less protects and controls during all the transit
tons OF humanity his image in man. He will find that
and nations advanced and elevated according 10
eternal laws, and by the Interchangeable usrumentaes Of
infinite wisdom He who studies and regards most those
laws and means most conforms to the will Of Him whose
omniscience pervades eternity.
The discussion Of slavery Ia this country has been
long and impressively Identified with anatcsm, inn
practicable measures OF philanthropy with the abrupt
and revolving language Of party and Of impatient gno-
rance with morbid and sickening dependency that
would substitute days Of fasting and of mourning for those
of national rejoicing because greater blessing yet
be achieved with reckless and eulpable denuncations
against law and the authority Of government and even
with the desperate and maleyoeu breaihngs OF treason
against our beloved Union; with impous declarations
against the Bible and the church. that II is dcultnay
almost mpossbieto dyest il OF its unholy associations
or TO introduce into the pulpit with its correatve topics
without exciting all those extreme manifestations OF
Indignation and disgust to which offended patriotism
is sure to give EXPRESSION and seldom attempts to disgus
or to conceal.
j Fanaticsm is excessive zeal II has its provdentia
mission, but like that Of the whrwnd, il has inherent
sefdirecting power It's track is characterized by
the plunges of impatient haste and i-tmed violence IL
demands greater but impraetieabe good Il is earn
est in prayer and rapid in thought but indifferent To
knowledge and blind TO judgment IL waits for no season.
listens to no warming and cares for no consequences II
nvokipgly holds up abstract truth, detached from the
practical conditions of society and demands It's instant
adoption and impossible practice II is prolific in lis
propositions and it always that their nature Is
imperative, urgent and holy that their Importance is par
amount and unquestonabe They rapidly and inces-
sanity multiplied and forced upon the individual the fam
lily, the school, the town, the State the nation and the
pulpit All need to be guarded with unsleeping vig
lance but no place more sacredy than the Christian pull
pit
All men confess desire to lessen slavery and to increase
freedom to check the prevalence of evil and to promote
the sway of good to withstand temptation to sin, and 10
encourage the spirit of duty to advance truth and TO sup
press error but they honestly and inegenty differ WIN
regard to the best for the accomplishment of ends
| momentous to man, SO acceptable TO God.
The Christian minister standing as be does the protested
servant OF Observation-Disclosures by society to promu
gate eternal truths revealed by God and adapted to the
condition and wants of humanity exhibit the spirit of
his Divine Master by examples Of loyalty civil govern
mcnt OF fidelity to public and private trusts of dignity
and impartiay in the manner Of presenting bis conyc
tons OF truth and adjusting differences OF opinion OF
charity in speaking of the weaknesses and ignorance of
men, Of sublime simplicity in making known the will of
the Fahers placed in fearful relations OF responsibility
to God and to the world whenever be presents himself as
teacher subjects specially taught by his Divine
Master and which, to be rutbfuy set FORTH require vast
research long and careful study patient and practical in
qury diversified observation test comparisons, resulting
vehcations, and profound sefdistrust To assume TO
be the teacher of in the practical experimental de-
tails and complications of government OF science is TO
imply consciousness of knowledge superior to that of the
statesman and philosopher and to claim them his pu
pills That he can do much in the proper discussion Of all
great TOPICS inspire the lovers of truth with spirit of
duy in acquiring knowledge Invested of pride and preu
dice; by examples of thorough inquiry comprehensive
views concatory and of forbearance and mag
naniny, and by a spirit Of enlightened humility which
should characterize the servant of Chrsa will adj
nit will deny. But who let ask that is subject
to the conditions of mortality will deliberately assume in
addition to the great task of his Christian misson the
awful and unreasonable responsibility Of teaching much
/ in life so brief and with means small
Besides as the clergy OF different denominations repre-
the different views and sentiments of the varying par
ties of the nation, what would constitute safe standard
of conscience for adopt would be safe for althat
is each for himself and for others and the pulpit
would be sought controlled and used for the exciting and
temporary discussions OF the times, and the church would
become the place for the manifestations of passion and vo-
ence and the Sabbath the great caucus day OF the land
Religion would become but another for politics, and
piety cloak for cunning The floating errors OF party
the fsehoods Of designing and unprncped politicians
always assuming the attractive garb of truth for deceptive
purposes-would be less received and honestly
adopted by the oreduous preacher and sermons based up
deception and prayers upon error, would prevail
degrade the protested disciples of Christ to the
level Of vulgar strife and subject them and their mission to
ties of Christianity by the unsght deformties of sim
The conscience deeply scrutnizes itself, and
ploys enlightened Judgment TO guard against the mis-
takes of ignorance the npositons OF the SINFUL and the
| assumptions of will
The Christian teacher is protected by law in his position
the dispenser of truth and he cannot be answered by
the dssenents of his congregation in respect to the poss
BILE faacy of his views, be corrected If he commune
the alsehoods of others truths to be adopted he
ignoranty becomes for time mt least, most dangerous
though unntentonal agent of the wicked, and niicts
upon his confding and uninormed bearers and upon
cety wound that rrtates and mortihes the commenda-
bic pride OF the nearer and lessons his respect for the
preacher.
Let the great aim of the clergy be rather 20 influence
to become Christian citizens and they will do thou
sand times the safety of their government, for the
advancement Of humanity and for the permanent sympathy
for the oppressed everywhere than by actively uniting
themselves with the brief fierce and uctuating struggles
| of party.
IT. indeed they are actuated by irresistible sense of
duty participate in those movements which
ed with the legislation of their country and desire make
known facts and opinions not by others the
way is open at all times and everywhere and they may
have opportunities say more and to do more, and
or by speaking political meetings. than they posi-
bly, accomplish the pulpit and within the halowed circle
| of the Christian church.
The Sabbath and the sanctuary should be sncredy pro-
tecd against the breahings Of angry dpuaton the dis
cordan language of party violence and the wild nvecye
of passion the invariable and legma fruits of political
preaching to congregation where members Of the differ
parties associated for religious worship The Chris
an soul demands at church quiet atmosphere The cheer
ul serenity of peaceful trust the impressive associations
Of grandeur consistent with prayer dignity becoming the
H..