New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-02

If we come to a later date, We find the historical
fact that the Presby terrain and Congregational clergy
did preach politics during the American Revolution;
that in their pupts they denounced British tyranny
and stirred up American patriotism. We should Ike
to see the CoDgregationas so recreant to the ira
ditional glory Of New-EDgland as not to bless the
memory Of Mayhew Of Boston, who publicly pro-
claimed in bis pulpit that the Gospel permits re-
sistance," sentiment quoted with gusto BY our
Democratic historian. We should like to see the
Presbyterian who does not feel throb of pride as
he finds John Witherspoon advocating the cause
Of his adopted country, first in the Provincial Con-
g1ess Of New-Jersey, and then in the Continental
Congress. We have heard some Presbyterian con-
seryatves date with pride theact that that grand
old Gospel-prescher fought good fight IN the po-
liical arena. By bis mighty eloquence be brought
up the Congress TO pass the Declaration, and tnen
signed il blu self with penstrOle which told the
story Of his own unfallering courage. Had the
ministers Of the New England, Middle aud Southern
States in the Revolution needed such counsels OF
moderation to abstain from poltics-counsel ac-
tually given by the TOries-we verify believe the
those good and great men were faithful to God and
their country, and the present generation is not
enough lost yet 10 all right feeling to withhold its
admiration and gratitude.
So, too, we find the clergy during the last quarter
Of the eighteenth aud the first quarter of the nine
teen'h centuries, preaching against the slave trade
and in favor of ~ abolition of Slavery. As the
Tories had raised hue a I'D cry against the clergy
of the Revolution, so those who were engaged IN
this man traffic raised hue and cry against these
ministers as preaching politics. DR.. Azel Baekus
Of Bethlehem, Conn, and DR.. Nathaniel En-
mons of Franklin, Mass, took the subject of
political corruption into their pulpits. The
first of these two men preached his "Absa-
loms Conspiracy" before the Connecticut Legisla-
ture, who ordered it to be published. Tue man at
Franklin the same year preached bis scorch'ng
political sermon on the occasion OF the National
Fast-May Q, l795-enttled Prayer for the de-
'ftat of those who attempt to subvert good gov
"ernment." On the occasion of the National Fast
in 1893, DR.. Emmous preached these words:
There is no ground to complain Of the ministers
"of the gospel for intoxicating political du-
"ties. Those who dislike public men and
"Iublic measures are very apt to complain of
preachers if they undertake to adapt their dis
courses TO the present state of public affairs and
"press obedience and subjectlon to the powers
:" that be-" "There are" he says, many now
" in America who publicly reproach those preach
GERS who presume, at this interesting crisis of
"pubc affairs to step forth in the cause Of their
"country" This the Doctor declares to be 'un-
reasonable and inconsistent, because those who
" complain are highly pleased to hear ministers
&" in support of the measures they approve. They
"nOw-in I799-condemn the same kind of
preaching which, les than twenty years ago
during the Revolutionary war-they highly ap-
"pauded."
II is an undeniable fact that in every great
national crisis in England and this country-in
the Revolutions of 1858 and l776, the abolition
of the save-trade and of Slavery in the British
Islands ard the Northern States Of the Union
the influence of an intelligent, philanthropic and
pious clergy has been powerfully felt, while il has
excited the displeasure only of that class whose
interests were to suffer by the reforms in ques-
tion. For cur part, we contend for an independent
and unmuzzed pulpit. 1t will be the saddest indi-
cation of national corruption when the American
clergy, as body, consult their pews to learn what
they may preach, instead of listening reyerently to
the teachings of Gods Word, AID speaking like hon
est men to the people the great truths of humanity
and practical religion therein set forth.