Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-10-29

tory in the universe, show that his calling
is a distinct and definite character. 1t
reads in plain and unmistakable language
"Go preach the Gospel,"-not partizan
strife and political jealousy; not contention
and anarchy; not broils aud intrigues-but
the gospel Of repentance and faith in a Re-
deemer; a gospel of reconciliation TO the
divine favor; a gospel designed to lift us
from the ruin of the fall into a state of al.
legiance with our Heavenly Father; a gos-
pei of peace and good will to man. Such
is the legitimate business of the minister
as indicated by his credentials; and the
business in which he may safely expect the
veriicution of that promise-"Lo l am
with YOU"
Let ME not however, be understood as
assuming, that a minister has no rights po-
%Iitically. For one, l relinquished none of
the rights of a citizen, when | espoused
what is technically called the sacred Of
fee. A citizen, although a minister, may
have party prefrences-may maintain
them in his intercourse with his fellow
man, and, under certain circumstances,
may publicly discuss them. Such would
be all legitimate and proper, provided that
it was done in a candid and gentlemanly
manner. Scarcely any n would be
found, to object to such a course.
What we oppose, in common with all
good citizens is the discussion of such sub
jects, by the minister in his pulpit, on the
Sabbath, or in any way interfering or die
tating, on the ground of being a minister.
We had always supposed that the Sabbath
was a day of rest from all the strife, cares
and concerns of life-a day especially set
apart, for the worship of God, and the
spiritual edification Of his children; and as
such, certainly the minister ought to be
the last man to disregard the claims of the
Saviour. Rather than bring before his
congregation the excited and over heated
subject of politics, during the peaceful quiz
ct of the Sabbath; he would do better to
refresh their minds occasionally, upon the
obligation of the Cotnmand-"Remember
the Sabbath day to keep it holy"
Besides, the church is a place dedicated
to the service of God, and is the last place
where such exciting questions Of expedi-
ency should be discussed on the Sabbath
day. If the congregation assembled with
the expectation of hearing a certain party
eulogized, and the administration de-
nounced, the case would not be SO bad;
there might be a show Of consistency in it
at least. But when a promiscuous audi
ence, men of all political creeds, assem-
bled for moral improvement, the moral
teacher ought to feel hat his mission was
of the most sacred import-his duty to
pour out truths drawn from a higher source
than the dirty pool of political strife. His
responsibility to his Judge, and his duty
to his fellow man, ought 10 fire him with
a holy ambition 10 preach the Holy Ghos,
sent down from Heaven, rather than de-
nounce and defame those in civil authority,
1t ought to be remembered also, that the
minister does not advocate his politica.
> views simply as a man, but under the gart
) of ministerial authority. He warns them
on peril of their souls not to vote for thi:
l or that candidate. He takes advantage Of
: his position to propagate his political views
> and no one must question his epsi diret, in
this respect. His papal bulls are issued
: with an dndthama sa appended, provided
they are not regarded. That this is nc
I fiction, many OF the pulpits of the las
: Presidential campaign afford ample evi.
dence.
L Preaching party politics in the pulpit i:
: to convert that pulpit into a political ros.
. trum; hence there is no difference between
S the two. The minister himself becomes
a politician and takes sides with the world
r rather than seek to bring it up to hat higt
moral standard, required by the Grea
: Teacher. l need scarcely say, hat sucf
a course is an injury 10 the cause; a dis
grace to the profession and ~dishonorabIt
to God. C. CHAUCER GOSS.
IMPORTANT TO SETTLERS IN TIL
> WEsr.-By a recent decision of the Com,
; missioner of the Land Office, the even mum,