Eastern times., 1855-10-25
" To the Clergy of Maine. I"

- 0J -
Rev. Joseph c. Lovejoy, of Cambridgeport,
Mass, has been severely handled BY the cler
gymen of this State for taking the ground of
opposition 10 the Maine law. He has been
somewhat conspicuous as an opposer, perhaps
too much SO 1--WE think clergymen better let
all moral subjects alone that have connec-
ton with politics, and stick to the gospel y.
but not a whit more conspicuous than many
cergymen in this State, on the other side of
the question. As we say,.he has been Sc
verely handled, and subjected to much ohio
guy. Some Of the clergymen when he came
into the State, purposely avoided him to get
rid ofthe usual courtesy Of inviting him into
their pulpits. The Franklin Conference, it
will be recolected, a few years ago, fulminat-
ed an ecclesiastical bull against him. And
the clergy generally have acted as though they
thought him hereto, whom it would be sin
to .ouch. Yet he was pioneer in The cause
of temperance in this State, is man of ire
proachable character, Of warm and generous
impulses, and an eloquent preacher.
Since the Maine election terminated so dis
astrously to Maine law fanaticsm, and in
other States all political parties act as though
they do not want TO carry the incubus, Mr..
Lovejoy has addressed pleasant letter "to
the clergy of Maine," in which are some fine
hits. We copy an extract as follows -
CAMBRIDGE, Oct 4, 1855.
To my Brethren in Maine -
DEAR FRIENDs-Your idol is PROSTATE !;
your strange God is fallen, and there is none
to lift him up. But / come not to join in any
notes of exultation. In remembrance of our
former cherished fellowship, wish to say
few things, which l hope will be received as
they are penned with kindness and charity.
Where was your fidelity to the great prot
estant principle, that the scriptures are the on
ly and sufficient rule of faith and practicel
What have you gained by the raging of this
strange fire on the altars of Jehovah You
hare S0,cn diSsenaon and strife IN most of the
topns and villages of the &dte--you have ted
unhalowed Goals of ambition and self-right-
eousness in many hearts, and you have pre-
sented to the world the singular spectacle of a
whole christian community, with here and
there an exception, and they were mostly
dumb, for the terror of your idol had fallen
upon them. say you have appeared to an
impartial observer, as under every green tree,
and on every high hill, TO hare sacrificed TO
Bdal, ,rhile you had forsaken the rigM toay.
| Your idol is not only PROSTATE in your own
State, but there is not party an this State, and
there are nop fr. in the political field, Uhich
recognizes the Maine ldD as a thing TO be sus-
tanned. The whig party. with the exemplary
and devout Mr.. VALLEY at its head, has SOL
! emnly declared that this law has injured the
cause of temperance, and is no longer to be
sustained. Will my brethren Of the Franklin
conference proceed 10 utter new bulls against
| the whig and democratic parties of Maine and
Massachusetts, and all the individuals who
compose them1 They surely will not sink
down into that ingorious position of having
declared war upon an humble individual, who
simply foretod what has come to pass, and
then shrink from pouring out their red-hot
| anathemas upon the multitudes who fulfilled
the prophecy. Come, brethren, now either
show your courage, or your magnanimity. If
you were right, hurl the bolt with what
strength you have, against the foe, however
numerous and stronger else openly, manlul-
ly, confess your error in going out of your
province 10 smite one who simply told you
] the truth.
love the ministers and churches of Maine,
with my whole heart. | love them, trust,
because Christ loved them, and gave himself
for them-and neither life nor death shall sep
arate US from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord Nothing you have
said of me, has, or can, in any measure alien
ale this affection.
In the hour of darkness and secluson,
have trod the wine press alone; and now
would gladly take any part of the burden, thai
foresee must be rolled back upon you.