Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-30
aDANGERoUs PRIESTHOOD.

the spirtual advisers of the people which they
are bound to fulfil more conscientiously than
another, it is the setting of bright example
in the domestic relations. That religion is
worth but little which does not follow us into
the private circle, and regulate our conduct IN
all the duties of life. 1t is but mockery of
worship that contents itself with idle mumme-
ries, outside show and hollow sentimentalism,
honoring God only in the imposing ceremonies
Of the sanctuary, but forgetting to do him rev.
erence where it conflicts with our own selfish
passions and interests.
The ministerial office is ordained Of heaven,
not simply to proclaim from the pulpit and at
the bed of the sick and dying, the truths of
the gospel and the way of salvation, but to in
fiuence by holy life the mass of mankind,
and TO awaken in the heart a lively sense OF
the responsibilities of every human being. 1t
is the rectitude of our lives-thc conscientious
discharge of the duties we owe to ourselves
and to those with whom we are brought in re-
lation-whch alone establishes the sincerity
of our faith and our claim to the character of
a christian. We support priesthood to but
little purpose, if they fail to Illustrate this
truth-if, instead of becoming a shining light
to others, their conduct is but scandal to the
faith they profess.
The ministry of all Protestant denomna-
tions, whatever be the difference in their reli
gious creeds, are beyond reproach in the re-
lations of private life. They all recognize the
binding obligations of the institution of mar
riage-cnforce its divine sanctions and duties,
and show by their example, the truth and beau
ty of the domestic ties. 1t was a bold, but
manly and glorious service which Luther dared
to do for the Christian world, when he shook
off the absurd thraidom of Rome, and entered
the holy bans of wedlock with an abused and
| prosecuted nun. Since that great day of e.
Emancipation from vicious and ridiculous dog
| ma, tbs Protestant priesthood have nobly il
lustrated the advantage to the Church of a
ministry admitted to all the sanctities of the
| social relations, and acquitting themselves of
their solemn responsibilities as husbands and
| fathers, as citizens and men, in such manner
| as to command the commendation of the world.
| In contrast with them, how unnatural appears
the position Of the priesthood OF Rome. Shut
out from the enjoyment of the purest and no.
liest ties of life condemned to q life of celb-
| acy. and brought into the freest and most con-
fidential communion with persons of the oppo-
site sex, they would be more than human if
they were not sometimes tempted to overstep
| the barrier of virtue and decorum. Subject
| to tyrannous restraint in respect to the con-
tract Of marriage, and yet tolerated in the con-
slant qualification of unlawful passions-ex-
posed TO perpetual temptations in the discharge
of the pricstly office, yet shielded from pun
ishment or public reprobation by the supersti-
tions of his victims, the Romish priest is a
sort of unnatural blot the face of society
a monstrosity standing ever in the way of So
ciaI progress and improvement, and interpo-
sing grievous check to the amenities and the
inviolablc secrecies of domestic life.
What must that religion be which winks at
the most atrocious violations OF the social yir-
tues, from the highest to the lowest dignita-
RIGS efthe church? What shall be said of the
character of cosmopolitan hierarchy which
throws upon the community body of men
debarred from the holicst domestic ties, yet
/ INSCRIPTIONS in morals and spurning the con-
troll of conventional proprieties2 Is it any
wonder that there is widespread horror
throughout Protestant communities of the
Vaccinations of a priesthood thus exempted
from the ordinary claims of decency and mo-
rality, to say nothing of the restraints of re-
ligion2 Happily for the future welfare of oul
country, the priests of Rome cannot conceal
their iniquities from the glaring light of truth
The eyes of free people are fastened upor
them. the searching scrutiny of 4 free pres:
and free speech is an ordeal through which
they cannot pass unscathed. Ifleft to recruit
their ranks from men born on the soil, we
might hope that they would soon be forced t,
conform to the wholesome dictates of publ,
opinion, and to regulate their lives in accord
ance with the promptings of a religion unde
filed by admxture with human frailties. S,
long as Ireland continues to be the fruitfu
nursery of the dangerous priesthood, apsf-'
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