Smyrna times., 1860-12-06
The Pulpit and the Crisis.

The theme Of nearly all the Thanksgiving
discourses preached in our and other pulpts,
was the political crisis in which the country is
involved. 1t seems to us very proper that this
should be SO. Indeed, we have never favored
that divorce of the Pulpit from politics which
many excellent persons deem essential to the
welfare of both. The object of preaching Is
to apply The principles of Christianity to the
conduct of life-to bring them to bear upon
personal character, and upon the general we'll
being and improvement of society. Why should
any form of social activity be exempt from such
an application! Why should any duty which
men are called on to perform be abandoned
by teachers of the Christian faith, TO be dis
charged without regard to the motives and
maxims of Christian truth!
In politics, especially, society has need of
the constant and rigorous application OF Chris
tan principle. The natural tendency of poll
cal organizations is downwards. Selfish mo-
tves, partisan impulses, low and debasng aims
acquire more aud more ascendency over the
masses of men in their political action, unless
they are counteracted by the steady inculca'
tion OF better sentiments and higher principles.
1t is not necessary for preachers to enter INTO
the details OF political controversy as a gen.
eral thing, they are very poorly qualified, by
their studies or experience for such discussions
But they can insist upon the supremacy OF the
great princi Plies of Christianity in the discharge
of political duties, as of all the other duties Of
lIfe-and they can apply these principles ac'
cording to their own convictions OF justice and
of right, without the least departure from the
proper sphere of their labors.
Bat day set apart by the political gu hori-
/ ties Of the State for thanksgiving, invites and
| demands a consideration of the political cir
cumstances by which we are surrounded.-
Especially in a crisis like the present, when
dangers threaten the public peace, and wher
mems minds are heated with passion on the
one side, and psralized with fear on the other
is it proper that the Christian teachers of tht
land should throw their influence into thu
scales Of peace and of Christian truth. Thei
position enables them to Judge current event
with less OF passion than other men, and the
are less liable, if true to their calling, to b
swayed by considerations of temporary exped
ency from the great principles of justice an
| of right, by which all great controversies
every kind should be decided.
The general tenor of the discourses was t
!. wards oncIllaton-inculeatIng the duty
: preserving peace at any sacrifice short Of priI
;. ciple, as of paramount obligation upon ever
+. Christian citizen. They all indicate serol
i, aud settled conviction that the country is
n danger, and that it is the duty of every man
!. treat the peril as real and formidable, nstet
o of dismissng it as tancitul and unworthy
II serious attention Nearly all agreed, NOR
q oyer that both sections were in the wrong.
e that each had given the other just ground
,r mpIaint,- that both had steps to retra
and reforms to practice if there was any re
purpose of union end harmony for the future.