The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-02-21


vEpNE sDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY q, 1855
SPREAD OF RKLlaIous kNowLEDoE.--A-
though It is not within our scope or purpose
TO embark or take sides Ia the political con-
tests Of the day. we may bepermitted t con
gratulate the country and the world upon the
immense and extraordinary quantity and
quality Of religious knowledge which is ex-
hibited by the public men of the United
States. in the discussion of the various re-
ligious questions which have become min
eled with the politics of the times. There
was period, and that not very long ago,
when the ignorance of our most enlightened
statesmen, in reference to religious matters,
was proverbial 1t was rare to find one of
them who could quote even passage of the
Scriptures correctly. They seemed rather
to pride themselves on knowing little and
thinking less of the Bible. 1t was altogeth-
or an Insignificant work, in their opinion, in
comparison with the journal of the House or
Senate. David, the warrior king of Israel.
was small potato in comparison with Old
Hickory or Old Rough and Ready, and the
sublime strains of Isaiah the severe logic of
st. Paul, and the majestic simplicity of the
Evangelists, were not to be mentioned in
the same day with one of their own stump
speeches. What change has taken place
in a few years. The politicians have now
become theological students, and, are not
only as WELL or better acquainted with the
Scriptures than the inspired Apostles them
selves, but they are thoroughly versed in &c,
clesiastical history, and have the incest doc
trinafpoints at their fingers ends. They can
discourse you by the iSeek upon the deei-
sion of councils, upon the question of infalli-
bility, of Reconsideration of confession, of
predestination, purgatory and damnation.-
The questions that agitated the world in the
time ofthe Reformation, are canvassed once
more upon the American hustings, and the
friends of Luther on ope side, and their ad.
verssries on the other, are making the welkin
ring with the thunders of polemical warfare.
Hwould be impossible for any politician to
go through the present canvass, without &C.
curing more theological learning than he
could possibly obtain at any school of divini-
ty in the land, and fitting him in every re-
spect, save moral qualifications, to enter the
ministry. Some of them, we have no doubt,
might make good thing of it, if, after the
present canvass is over, they would set up as
preachers, and thus make the theological
stock in trade they have acquired, useful to
themselves and their fellow men.
1t would be great saving if, during the
continuance of the present theologic fl
ror, the churches could all be shut up, and
the clergy be disbanded; for what's the use
of going to church on Sundays, and of pay
much excellent preaching for nothing every
day in the week? Moreover, these political
preachers, ameng them, give you both sides
OF the subject, SO that you are sure to know
all the faults and all the virtues of the two
great systems of religion which are in con
fict, without bothcring your head about any
of the essentials of goodness. Besides, the
regular clergymen are very exacting, and
even annoying in their requirements. They
expect you to practice what they preach,
whereas the amateur lay preachers ex-
pect you to praetic nothing but to put
down the other party. If you will use your
best exertions to this effect, you may go to
the old gentleman in black your own way.
Of course, therefore, it would be good thing
to dispense with the pulpit, and let the clergy
betake themselves to the vocations of the
men who have intruded into their spheres.
They are too poorly paid at present, and Il
they can make a swap with the politicians,
it will not be, so far as this world is concern
ed. bad exchange.
What happy thing it is to see so many of
our great statesmen busying themselves with
spiritual affairs! Not long ago, these illus.
trious persons seemed utterly Indifferent and
hardened to the concerns of future life L
was utterly impossible to divert their atten
tions from the engrossing pursuits of tim,
and sense The glittering bubble of ambi
ton absorbed their souls, and sacred words
were never heard upon their tongues excep
in blasphemy. Their best friends tremblet
for their future welfare But, behold tn,
wonderful change! Never, since the da,
when st. Paul was struck down in the height
of his prosecuting pride, and converted from
an intolerant bigot to an humble Christian.
has the world witnessed such illustrious and
astounding conversions. These men, who
but yesterday were SO wrapped up in this
world that they never gave word or q
thought to another, now are so wrapped ND
In the spiritual world that they never give a
thought or word to this. They have re-
nounced all the pomps and venities of this
lower sphere; they think no more of power
and places the only pewer worth mention.
ingis spiritual rover; the only place worth
having, a seat among the principa lities of the
blessed. What junction. there is in their dis
courses! What fervor in their zeal! How
charming to see so many ancient political
characters laboring so hard for the purity Of
religion and the salvation of the human
race!
We confess that We are almost tempted 70
believe tnat the millennium is at hand Knou
iedgeof oil kinds, and especially of that kind
which is most important, is bep;nn;rn -
cover the earth. We trust that our coun,r,