Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-14
HOW A CHURCH WAS CURED OF FFEIONI.

The Hartford Times relates the following "A
Congregational Church in a neigbbOrinR State got
so completely enlisted in the Presidential contest
for Fremont and Jessie that little attention was
given to religious questions. The ministerWas con-
stanty preaching, praying eEhorting upon political
issues-and his descons and the laymen followed
suit at the prayer and conference meetings Final
ly, worthy old farmer, one Of the stenchest and
best memter Of tho church, and irm, underwriting
Democrat was called upon TO offer prayer.
go Lord" said he, " uphold the old Democratic
party, which has received Thy protecting support
ever since the great Jefsrsonian struggle. Contn-
ne 20 bless that old party which has, under Thy
protection and providence brought great blessings
upon this Republic. If it be Thy pleasure, and
betie7e It will be- carry that party through this
struggle TO complete triumph. Bless James Blu
Chsn8n, the tried and honest statesman, aud guide
him safely TO the Presidential chair. Bless John
C. Breckenridge the young and Jealous Democrat,
and open 20 him the path Of duty we'll as that
which leads straight TO the Vice Presidency. Give
them victory. 0, bless the opponents Of Democra-
cy personally but utterly destroy their fanaical and
injurious political schemes. If II be Thy will so to
do as ! verify believe it is. Be on the side Of De-
mocraoy, o Lord, as thou hast been for the past
ifty-siE years, and on the 4th of March next we
shall witness the Inauguration OF Pennsylvan's
favorite son, aud the people Of this country will
more settle down in their peaceful pursuits in
stead of warning wickedly section against section,
er. And o, ] beseech Thee, especially free the
Christian Churches from the political strife and bitter
ness which are rending asUnder, destroying their
usefulness. and turning them Unhappily, into mere
political associations Let us hear something of
Thy word and mercy on the Sabbath. We have
already been piled to fullness with political fanati
cism, and our minister has become a stump orator
against the good old party which Thou in Thy
wisdom hast uphedso long and 50 epeatedly guided
to victory, and sustained in the establishment Of
sound measures. 0, turn his mind from these
things aud direct his attention TO his legitimate
igiOus duties, turn him over directly into the
hands Of the Federal or Abolition 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 politics are to rule
shall claim one half Of the time in behalf of the
Democratic party that there may be fair discus
sion within these wslls-Amen."
This a stumper. Il was the first prayer ever
publicly offered in that church for the success of
the Demo cratic party and its nominees though hun
dreds of prayers and celebrations had been made
against that party. When the old man had finished
there was silence for half hour, and the meeting
then adjourned. And thus ended the political
preaching in that church. From that time forward
the minister attended TO his gospel duties and left
all political questions to be settled by the people
outside the church. Again his society prospered
and there was better feeling among It's members
more Christian charity-more brothcrly love The
old mans earnest prayer was answered in more re-
spects than one.