Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-12-12
Political Preaching.

IHtcttHhi 10 see an lHCIeusIu5 pAOpcHs''y
amcng clergymen Of the Northern States
to dabble in politics, We have long since
recovered from the shock given to our
old fashioned ideas of propriety by the
harlequin performances Of II, w. Beech
er, who has now become the professional
clown Of the pulpit, and whom we expect,
as a matter Of course, TO see as often stand
ing on his head as on his feet, and enter
tanning the spe ctators Of the Sunday
amuscments in Plymouth Church with
regular exhibitions Of ground and lofty
tumblng. All the sinners in Mr.
Beechcrs congregation having been
saved long ago, it is of eoulse emf
nently proper that they should now de
vote themselves altogether to reponting
Of the sins Of other people, and he himself
being freed from the bondage of all grow
elling prejudice, all unGorgiying feelings,
and all unholy ambition, is at perfect lib
erty, instead Of crying out, "Oh, wretch-
ed man that | ann with that old fogy
apostle, who feared lest when even lee had
preached to others he might one day be
come a castaway, 10 90 cheerlully turning
summeraults up the road to glory. We
f. look naturally to Beecher for all sorts of
spiritual casualties, religious frolics, and
sacred profanity, but we had not supposed
/ that any clergyman in the Northern
States, ofrrally solid parts and consistent
Christian character, would, even 10y impl-
cation, justify the Sunday stump speeches
of Republican preachers, delivered by.
those "IabJalh-loying" sons Of the Puri>
tans, amid shouts Of laughter at pulpit
clap trap and bulloonery'
We regret, however, 10 Observe that in
a late volume Of Addresses by DR.. C. S |
Henry, clergyman who has hitherto en-.
joyed high reputation as a scholar and
divine, political preaching, such as that
of Beecher and Chaplin, (though he does
not montion them by name, is justified.
DR.. Henry declares that the country is
growing worse rapidly, and says it is ain.
'fnitely important to the salvation Of the
nation, that the pulpit should he free,
"'hat It's voice should be heard-onc gclt
Strong yoice-ogainst all public wicked.
ness = an" he warns the clergy that if
they 40 not thus speak out, he is not
sure but they will have to give way to
something 0ettor, or TO solnethingworse. "
4
II Dr. Henry includes slavery in the
"icNeunes' against which the clergy are
require" 20 cry mou' ana spare not, weI
cannot ou' au'nIIc lhe improvement ne
has i'"oe upon 'Ae plael!ee o! ChFist ana
MS q npoS''0s Oy p'e"ehl'ng'"ho' surrounded
y SLAVERY III lis worst Iofm' not oaly nev-.
ef preached against 1t, but cnJolncd slaves
to be oOedIent to Their masters, and de-
/ clared that 'li any man teach otherwise,
and consent not to wholesome words,
even the words OF our Lord Jesus Christ,
and to the doctrine which is according
TO godIIness, he Is proud, knowing moth
ing, but doting about questions and trifes
'oi words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
ratings, eYIl surmisngS, perycrse dlspu- .
"tings OF men Of corrupt minds, and des-
"titute of the truth, supposing that gain
"is godliness from such withdraw thy
self" First Timothy, sixth chapter,
third, fourth and fifth verses.l Il will
thus be seen that DR.. Henry assumes to
be wiser and better than the Divine Foun-
der OF the Christian Religion and His in
spircd Apostles, and, we may add, of the
whole Christian Church for eighteen cen,
turics, including all the great lights of
Church Of Rome, the Greek Church and
the Church of England; including all the