New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-10
a CARNAL EXPEDIENT.,

We do not doubt that when the American Tract
Society comes together again at its next annual
meeting the Rev. DR.. De Witt or whoever else
may be Chairman of the Executive Committee
will first desire, before proceeding to other topics
of the annual report, "to acknowledge with de-
vout gratitude that by the help Of the Divine
Esprit" concord and harmony have prevailed in
its councils through the year, undisturbed by un-
kindly differences. Nor do we doubt that, so far
as the Committee is concerned this will be as true
then as it is now. In that body certainly there is
no disturbing element, whatever there may be in
the Society itself, and they mean to take god
that there never shall be. But if merely lay and
altogether unclercal persons might presume to
offer any advice to so sanctiied a body, it would
be that it should for the future avoid any
boastful assertions of having avoided the use of
{" caInal expcdients" and Of trusting to " the
"word of God as a sufficient weapon" in the
accomplishment of the work it has in hand. If
the American Tract Society has hitherto " done
:" Chrst's work in Christ's way" We should
question, as a mere matter of taste, the use of
that term also in future. If we apprehcnd the
meaning Of the words, " carnal expedient," it
was enectually tried in springng an adjournment,
to cut of debate; if it is possible TO show a want
of trust in tie 4" word of God" as "a sufficient
weapon" it could not more effectually be done
than by sitting the voice of the Society on great
question of humanity and morality; and we must
be permitted to doubt whether " Christs way" of
doing His work ever TO call upon his disciples
to compel those to silence who called him
to account for his doctrines or his
deeds. We do not read that he ever adjourned
meeting TO escape controversy npon question
of duty. The carna ways of sitting the express
sion of the popular will are many. 1t is sometimes
done by stealing bal0t-b0x. The latter expe-
dent of the managers of the Tract Society
is more ingenious, and more efectual; they
do not permit ballot-box to be opened. II does
not so much surprise us when such shifts are
sorted 10 by shoulder-hitters and "roughs;" we
confess il shocks us when we see them used by
grave and reverend gentlemen whose mouths are
rotund at the same, with talk of "sound moral
"ity," of mercy and grace" Of " Divine TRUTH"
and who announce themselves, somewhat AS those
did who made broad their phylacteries, as
"servants for Christ's sake, and for the sake of
"the perishing."
The Tract Society processes to represent the
great body of the Evangelical Christians of the
land. We are quite ccrtain-though we are al
most tempted TO turn to the statute TO verify the
iact-that by the law of the land the African slave
trade is piracy The question of piracy then is
not a subject which the managers of the Society
can afford to discuss. And this gives rise to an
other question: which will be discussed where it is
mind-by what spirit men moved who can not
even permit system to be talked about, lest it
hould offend some Of those to whom they look for
upport while the law declares that all who en-
gage in that system are worthy Of death.