The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-09-18
Church and State-ReligiOn ana
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Churches stabshed and maintained by, Or
identified with, the State, have always met WIN
more or less opposition from churches HoI p!os
favored with exclusive protection, priVIeges' al"
patronage, and protesting TO be animated oy
more true, sound, evangelical spirit. One oil Inc
main objects oil The Reformation was severance
OF Church from State, religion from politics; ano
may here add, that one OF the causes OF the
opposition of the Protestant world TO Catholicism
is not because the Romish creed is in total an;ago-
nIsn TO the West minister Confession OF Faith, or
the Thirty nine Articles, as because the spiritual
head of the Roman Catholic Church IS the Pope
and that Pope a temporal prince, whose temporal
well spiritual jurisdiction il is alleged, IS
limited only by the earth's circumference. We
will not stop inquire into the truth or iaslty oil
the allegation 1t has been promptly and spiredIy
denied by some of the highest dignaries of the
of the Catholic Church on both sides of The Allan.
tics ana the charge true, we would be
among the first 10 denounce such gross and scan
dalous usurpaIion Of civil power We do not
blame men for indignantly protesting against the
assumption Of any such power, or for their oppo-
sion TO the head Of any church who as they
sincerely believe, claims such power as one Of the
prerogatives Of his high office; but we 10 blame
men protesting ente such corrcc1 Sentiments,
who PRACTISE literally whatthey denounce prousely.
At the present time the aid Of the Protestant Church
of the United States is invoked, and in too many
instances successfully invoked, to destroy the
democratic party, in order that unchecked and
unlimited sway may be given 10 the intolerani and
proscriptive doctrines of Nnow Nothngism-
During the last twelve months the novel, startling,
and disgracelul spectacle has been seen in nearly
every State Of the Union, Of Baptist, Methodist,
Presbyterian, Lutheran, or Episcopal clergymen
abandoning their puIpiIs for the stump, engaging
in the bitter strife of politics, and willingly as
Stunning oat-bound obligations which no Christian
or patriot could subscribe to without sacrifice of
conscience, honor. and duty. Passing over the
of men who profess TO be the uncom.
promising opponents of priPstcraft, and yet seek
to obtain political lumphs through priestcra(t let
US look al this branch of the question in a religious
point Of view. 'lt is your part" said John Wesley
to his preachers, ''to be peacc-makers TO be
loving and tender to all, bu! to addict yourselves
TO no party. In spite of all soliciratons-or rough
or the other side; keep yourselves pure DO all
TO help and soften all; but beware how
you adopt anothers jar" Charles Wesley wro:e:
':As to public affairs wish you to be like minded
with me. Of neither side, and yet Of boz h. |
Private Christians are excused, exempted. priv.
eged to take no part in civil troubles. We love |
all and pray tor all with sincere and impartial |
owe. Faults there may be on both sides, but !
such nerher you nor ! can remedy"
Such doctrines NAV he denounced and rdculed |
~ such divnes rs Rev Afr. Clinton, of Mississippi
ii; Rv. Mr.. Stiles, Of Maine; and Rev. Mr..
of Tennessee; but they are doctrines
which must meet with the hearty approval of /
very true Christian, be he Protestant or Catholic
WASHINGTON Union.