The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-09-25
THE CLERGY, SOCIETY AND SLAM
nER


There is (says the New York Expressly
something supremely offensive in the love Of
calumny which charactrrizrs our age and
country-not that Il Is peculiar to our age and
coun'ry-but that, having lived in civilized
age and country until after the middle of the
nineteenth century, there should have been
no Improvement upon the past. It is one o!
the mlsfottunes Of our time, that so many of
those who are professors and teachers should
prove themselves so unworthy Of the position
they hold. The person ! deinquencies in 81
manv Of the clergy, within the ten years past
the constant public exposures made Of their
misconduct-the prejudiccs which have been
called into being in consequence Of the part
taken by 20 many Of their number In the
politics of the day, are among the excuses
given for free indulgence of the tongue in
regard TO the general delinqurnces of society
If those who nssail others would pause to re-
member that those who condemn all the
world cannot escape their own condemnation
perhaps little more Of human charity for
human fraiIty might regulate their own esli
mate of society. If every man and woman
would agree TO conduct themselves well, there
would be such measure of moral reform rs
would turn the world upside down. or, if all
would agree to see the beams which burst
forth from their own eyes they would not be
able TO perceive the mote in their neighbours
eye. But caumny grows by what it feeds
on, and the smallest offence of the hour be-
comes mountain at the end of the day.
People love 81 much more to hear what is
evil than what is good of person, that eyes
and ears are always open to catch every lisp
OF blame or censure against neighbour
ISLANDER, that worst of poisons, ever finds an
easy enhance to enoble minds" and one, rs
another poet well expresses the thought
although pure rs ice, as chaste as snow, can
not escape calumny."
The work of u sandcrcr is that of defam-
er, II malicious iniormer,a pr JUDGED reporter.
The tale told is either false in itself, OF con-
v"ys Il false impression, and Paley has truly
defined the definition of lie to be an inteu-
ton TO deceive. The motive for Islander,
where there il n motive, is to irjurc the repu-
tntion Of another by diminishing the person
nssaed in the estimation of his fellow rit-
zens. Disgrace and reproach are intended,
and the success attained il very often in ac-
cordancr with the means used,
Where there is no direct motive of injury,
as IT, the common scandal and gossip of the
hour there is criminaliiy in the indulgence
of such back biting, which is wholly unpar-
donable and without excuse. According to
II new school of Rrformcrs, society is rrspon-
sible for crime, and not criminals, for their
Offences. Individuals who conduct themselves
bascly, fall back upon the cotrrie, clique or
company in which they move. There is moth.
ing meaner or more unienable than such II
position. Each man, according to all divine
Iaw-aceording to all Jurisprudence, upon
every principle of equity and justice-is in
fault Tor his own crime, and cannot at the bar
OF higher power, or the bar of public opinion
screen himself from his own vices.
We hold in ms much adherence rs any one
can, the crimes common now to almost all
sections OF cou' try, which disgrace THOSE
whose professions are to teach others the
way, the truth and the iIe Nothing is more
offensive than n preacher turned into I'M out
law against the Religion he Processes, the
purity he avows, the doctrines winch he hold.
up for the guidanre and government Of 9th
ers. or all the black sheep he is TIE black
est. Persons and families trust in him, open
their hearts and houses to him, believe in
him, pray for him, are cnunselled by him and
believe him To he almost ntuIlible. His mis-
sion is both to speak out the violated law o.
God, and to pour forth the promises of the
Gospel. For such m one to abuse the con
iidence reposcd in him by the betrayal %
those whose protector and instructor he ough
to be, is about the highest offence mortal car
commit. The Clergy of our country owe t,
themselves, much OF the want of respect il
which they are held, aud there was never 3,
much disrespect felt us row. OF course, Their,
are many pure, exalted, and true men, no
nmenable To any such criticism, and thes
have enjoyed, and always will enjoy, the es
TEEN and respect, not only of the good, bn
of mary claiming no peculiar excellence .
character. We speak not TO or Of this elias
men who are the true.