Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-13
How a Church was cured OF Fremon:ism

| A Congregational Church IN nelghbor
ing State got SO completely enlisted in the
Presidential contest for Fremont and Jes.
sic, that little attention was given to reli-
gious questions. The minister was con-
stantly preaching, praying and e1horting
upon political isss as and his deaoons and
laymen followed suit at the prayer and con
ference meetings. Finally. worthy old
farmer, one Of the staunchest and best mem
bers Of the church, and frn, undertaking
Democrat, was called upon to ofer prayer
20 Lord, = said he, .tnphold the Demo-
cratic party, which hes received thy pro-
tecting support ever since the great Jeffer-
sonian struggle Continue to bless that
party which has, under thy protoctica and
providence, brought great blessings upon
this Repsbhc. fit be thy pleasure, and I
believe it will be, 0 carry that party thro'
this struggle TO complete triumph. Bless
James Buchanan, the tried and honest
statesman, and guide him safely to the
Presidential chair. Bless John G. Brock
inridge, the young and jealous Democrat,
and open to him the path Of daty az we'll as
that which leads straight to the Vice Presi-
,dency. Give them victory. 0, bless the
|orponeats Of Democracy personally, but ut
terly destroy their fanatical and injurious
schemes, if it be thy will to do 50, as | YER
lily believe it is. BE on the side of the De-
,Elocracy, @ Lord, as thou hast been for The
past fifty six years, and on the fourth Of
March next we shall witness the Inaugural
ition Of Pcnnsylvania's favoritc son, aud the
people of this country will once more settle
down in their peaceful pursuits, instead Of
warning wickcdly, section against section,
interest against interest, and man against
his brother And 0, beseeci thee, cspe-
cially free the Christian Churches from the
political strife and bitterness which are
irending asunder, destroying their useful
mess, and turning them unhapp;ly into
mere political associations. Let US hear
something Of thy word and mercy on the
sabbath. We have already been piled to
Ifnlncps with political fanaticism, and our
minister has become a stsnp orator against
the good old party which tAou in thy wis
dom hast upheld 50 long, and 50 repeatedly
guided to victory, and sustained in the es-
Establishment Of good measures. 0 turn his
mind from these things, and direct his at
itcntion to his legitimate religious duties. or
turn him over directly into the hands Of the
Federal or Addition party, and let them
take care Of him, and provide US with a true
minister Of the Gospel. At any rate the
present state Of things cannot last. IF pol
iitics arc t. rule. | shall claim one-half the
time in behalf Of the Democratic party, so
that t'iere may be fair discussion within
these walls Amen %
This was stnmper. It was the first
prayer ever publicly offered in that churcl,
for the success Of the Democratic party and
its nominees. though hundreds Of prayers
and ezhortatlons had been made against
that party. When the old man had finished
there was sihncc fer half an hour, and the
meeting the1 adjourned Aud thus ended
the politicalpreaching in that church. -
From that time forward, the minister atten-
ded to his gospel duties, and left al politl-
cal questions to be settled by the people
cutside Of the church Again the society
'prospcred, ard there was better feeling a.
imong its members more Christian charity
more brotacrly love- The old man car
nest prayer gas answered in more respects
than one. - Hartford Timas.