Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-25
How a Church was Cured OF Fre-
InOntiSm.

InOANkOAAAs
The Hartford Times relates the fol-
lowing
A Congregational church in neigh
boring State got SO completely enlisted
lin the presidential contest, for Fremont
and Jessie that the little attention was
given to religious questions. The min
lister was constantly pgsachipGy pEa5iag
and exhorting upon political issues and
his deaeons and the laymen. followed
suit at the prayer and conference meet
ings. Finally, worthy old farmer,
one of the stanchest and best members
of the church, and firm, undertaking
Democrat, was called upon to- offer a
prayer.
90 Lord, said he "uphold the Dem
ocratic party, which has received thy
protecting support since the great JET
fersonian struggle. Continue to bless
that party which has, under thy protec-
ton and providence, brought great bles-
sings upon this Republic. If it be thy
pleasure, and believe it will be, o,
carry that party through this struggle
to complete triumph. Bless James
Buchanan, the tried and honest states
man, and guide him safely to the pres
idential chair Bless John c. Breck-
inridge, the young jealous Democrat,
and open to him the path of duty as
we'll as that which leads straight to the
Vice Presidency. Give them victory.
o, bless the opponents Of Democracy
personally, but utterly destroy their
fanatical and injurious schemes, if it be
thy will to do so, as [ verify believe it
is. Be on the side Of the Democracy,
o Lord, as thou hast been for the past
fifty six years, and on the 4th of March
next we shall witness the Inauguration
of Pennsylvania favorite son, and the
people of this country will once more
settle down to their peaceful pursuits,
instead, of warning wickedly, section
against section, interest against inter
est, and man against his brother. And
o, beseech thee, especially, free Chris
tian churches from the political strife
and bitterness which are rending them
asuuder, destroying their usefulness
and turning them unhappily into mere
something of thy word and mercy on
the Sabbath. We have already been
piled to fullness with political fanati-
lcism, and our minister has become a
stump orator against the good oidi party
which thou in thy wisdom hast upheld
so long, and so repeatedly guided to
victory, and sustained in the establish
ment of sound measures. 0 turn his
mind from these things, and direct his
attention to his legitimate religious du-
ties, or turn him over directly into the
hands of the federal or abolition party,
and let them take care of him, and pro-
vide US with true minister of the gos-
pei. At any rate, the present state of
things cannot last. If politics are to
rule 1 shall claim one half of the time
in behalf of the democratic party, SO
that there may be fair discussion with
in these walls Amen"
This was a stumper. 1t was the first
prayer ever publicly offered in that
church for the success of the democrat
ic party and its nominees, though hun
dreds of prayers and exhortations had
been made against that party. When
the old man had fin ished there was a
silence for half an hour and the meet
ing adjourned. And thus ended the
political preching in that church. From
that time forward the minister attended
to his gospel duties, and left all poll
tical questions to be settled by the peo-
pie outside of the church. Again the
society prospered, and there was bet
ter feeling among its members-more
Christian charity-more brotherly love.
The old mans earnest prayer was an
swered in more respects than one.