Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-28
From the american Organ.
Mr. Raynei's last Letter.
RALEIGH, N. c., Jan. %, 1855
(CoNCLUDED.)

|
Mr.. Wise goes on TO say, that know
Nothihgism is opposed TO the faith, hope
and charity of the Gospel" Mr.. Wise's
theology is like his history and his logic
unwarranted by facts, and manufactured TO
suit the occasion. What is the FAITH OF
The Reformation, as taught by Luther, and
as row recognised by all Protestants, with
the exception of the Puseyite portion OF
the Anglican church-who are nothing less
than Romish wolves in protestant sleeps
clothing1 1t is that faith, as the great a.
gent of justification indispensable to saliva
ton, finds its way directly from the heart
to the throne of mercy on high; and is
there accepted without The vicarious medi-
alton Of any sacerdotal order or authority
whatever.
| And it is the consoling HopE, founded on
the promises Of the gospel, of that grace,
which comes through justifying "faith, :"
that is so dear to every Protestant heart
this is ignored in the Romish confession
al, and that is mathematical by the Romish
hierarchy. What is the CHARITY of the
Gospel? 1t is that love and forbearance
for others, without which, the apostle tells
US, that faith, strong enough Ito remove
mountains" is as sounding Brass And
Mr.. Wise ought TO know, If he does not,
that the Romish Prclate, in his oath OF con-
secraton and the Jesuit, in his vow, swear
to "persecute and oppose heretics, schis-
mates. and rebels to their lord, (he Pope, J
and Ito exlirpate the heretical Protestants'
doctrine, and to destroy all their pretended
powers, regal and otherwise. And yet he
charges this defensive warfare, at the bal
lot-tox, against those who thus curse, and
VOW persecution and extirpation, against
the faith. hope, and charity of the Protes-
tants' creed-and want and disregard oil
that same faith, hope, and charity by Prot
estants themselves. AS well might he
say, that he who resists a robber on the
highway, or burglar at night, is guilty OF
the same violence, against which he is try.
ing to protect himself. AS well might be
say law for tue punishment Of theft, be-
speaks The same dishonesty en- the part Of
the maker, as Of him against whose depre-
dations it is the object TO protect others.
Mr.. Wise says, Know Nothingism is
against the peace and purity OF the Prot
estant churches, and in aid OF prlestcratt
within their folds &c. and again, "cor-
rupt our Protestant priests, as the Catholics
have been, with temporal and polltlcalPow-
err, al they will be of the same old lsav-
en'-the same old beast" &c. Mr.. Wise
here assumes, and that in the face Of facts
to the contrary, that this movement orgl-
mated with the Protestant clergy In tins
country, from a spirit ofrivalry and ambl-
tion-and that if it succeeds it will result
IN contest between the rival sects tor
mastery. The truth is, this movement did
not originate with the clergy, nor did it O.
riginate with the politicians, nor with The
learned, nor with the great, or the wealthy
os the land. 1t originated with the great
middle class-the laboring mechanics and
artists of the country-men who had no
ambitious purpose to serve-men who
could have had no object but the interest
of their country, and vindicatIon Of their
rights and liberties.
And this is the most beautiful feature in
this movement. 1t is the most striking IL
lustration of The character and working Of
our institutions. 1t proves that there is a
great conservative element, great moral
power, underlying the framework of our
social organization. potent for the preser-
walton of our liberties, even when the func-
tlonaries OF authority have become utterly
corrupt. This greal middle class discover
ed that they had been for years the mere
agents of beartless demagogues, who in the
struggles of party, were selling them, their
RIGHTS, and their liberties, to the foreign and
popish myrmldons who held the balance of
power. The politicians cautiously avoided
this organization till they saw it was be,
coming popular. The Protestant clergy
while in some sections they have done
GOOD service in the cause, as it was their
duty 10 do, have, IN the main, observed
great prudence and circumspection in re-
Gard to it. 1t is only as they feel their re-
ioious freedom to be involved in 1t. that
they have given it the aid of their inau-
ence.
Where they have united in the move
ment it is as individual American citizens,
and not in their clerical character. And
why not' Should they feel less keenly