Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-02-09
Communicate.
THANKSGIVING SERMON BYREV.
JOHN CHAMBERS.


week contains an extract from a Thanks.
giving Sermon, delivered by Revd. John
Chambers, of Philade lphia, that should Mt
be allowed to pass unnoticed. The Editor
gives it his Endorsement IN an editorial
note, in which he says: "Dont fail to read
the Sermon on the first page" We haze
iehd 1t, and must pronounce it unworthy the
head and hesrt of Christian Minister. The
style is tha: Of loose, incorrect thinker,
and the spiri. it breathes 10 censurable to
the utmost degree. Here is an extract:
at has long been my fixed opinion that
the Monarchs of Europe, and especially Of
England, were jealous Of us. II is possible
that in this we may be mistaken; 3ut the
old adage that actions speak more loudly
than Words comes to our assistance.'
In support Of this declaration, he refers
TO the war OF the revolution, and that of
1912; but how. perfectly silly in any man TO
point to our past trouble with England, a.
proof that she now seeks our destruction.-
On the hypothesis that England still hates
US, Mr.. Chambers would have Us believe
that what she could not do by force, she Is
seeking to accomplish by stratsgem--by
dividing ns sgsinst rselves--and says:
"Seeing then no hope other than by div.
ding us tgainst ourselves, our udversaries
are apt, as q matter Of course, to seize hold
oI that whereby they may most readily en-
gender strife. Hence it 10 you
find England, particularly, most imperti.
nently officlous in attempting 20 interfere
with our institutions. Her press, her pull
pits, her forum, her senate chamber rol out
forth the hand to lay it upon tina, which
belongs 10 us with which they have no bus
mess. And as the Lord lives, il they are
not careful, that arm will one d,y be emit.
ten from the shoulder in its intermedleing
suempts."
Now all this talk about England seeking
dissolution Of the American Uaon has no
foundatiun in fact. The case is simply this:
England makes use OF her indisputable right
to discuss every great question that comes
before the world. She holds and declares
that no nation has 4 right to hold human
beings in involuntary bondage; and in proof
of her sincerity she has unbound the chains
Of her own slaves and has said to the op.
pressed, ego free" p" Because England thus
believes and speaks, the Rev. Mr.. Cham.
Oers 10 in favor of letting slip the dogs Of
war upon her. Surely, surely it is bad
enough for Christian Minister to stsndup
as an advocate Of American Slavery and
the Fugitive Slave Law, but what shall we
think of him who advises this nation to 90
to war with ali who believe Slavery to be
wrong' The next step this bold Preacher
takes, 10 to prove that thousands Of the
sturdy, conscientious thinkers of this Re,
public are guilty OF perjury: He says "one o.
the mos: alarming signs of thetimes, in my
mind, is the utter Indifference that seems
TO prevail with regard 10 the solemnity, vulue
and importance of an oath. Every President
every Governor, every judge, all the mayor,
peace, all members Of Congress and of our
respective Sta.e Legislatures, ure sworn
solemn!v before God, a. they will answer
at the Great Day, to stand by the Constitu
ton and the laws Of the United States. AL
nsturs lized citizens are, il possible, more
.olemnly bond. You may possibly say to
me, 'But am native born, l never took thi
oath OF fidelity to the Constitution and tn,
laws But, NY brother, your bir,hrigh
holds you to that Constitution" EIs thsl
refers to the Fugitive Slave Law. and assert
that hs who refdses 10 aid In enforcing |
who aid and abet the fugitive In his fight
'is before Heaven perjured man. But
would ssk. suppose hold that the Fugitiv'
Slave Law 10 unconstitutional, and there
fore refuse TO comply with its requirement
am a periurer! No. sir, the very most yo,
can say. is that am in error; and an erro
OF the head may be d misfortune but not
crime. Blu. suppose adpi. the constitu
tionality of the Fugitive Slave Law, and, .
i, the. same time, believe Slavery to be vic
/. lstion TO the law Of God, am bound to be
come party to that violation in order I
/. meet tine requirements of human Legislation
Ny answer Is, 1--WE ought to obey Go
rather than men,"
(coNcLuDED NEXT WEEK.
EUNOMY.