The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-11-21

We Shoeiiuiisy comply VIII request 10 publish
the following address. Its object is fully explained
by its language, and we hail this first manifesto
tion of the practical application of the precepts of
Christianity, to the disorders which threaten us so
nearly, as happy omen. If all those in the land
who make profession of obedience to the law of
Him who spoke the sermon on the mount, would
out carry out their principles, how could there be
discord now, or bloodshed hereafter, among this
people?
TO THEBAPTISTS IN THESE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.
We, the Maryland Baptist Union Association, as
sen'bled an Washington, d. c., on the 9Th day of
November, 1860, send greeting.
BELOVED BRETHREN:-Even when Israel was car.
ried away captive, they were commanded by God
to pray for the peace of the land of their captivi
ty, and to seek to promote its welfare "Seek the
peace OF the city whittier / have caused you to be
carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for
it; for in the peace thereof shall We have peace"
How much more earnestly ought we to seek the
peace OF this our own beloved but most distracted
country.
Whatever the discrepancies in our views as to
other matters, there can be but one opinion as to
the spirit of political hostility which has so lonu
been arraying section of this Union against the
other-as to the reciprocal taunts and defiant re.
ordinations which at this moment are exasperat-
ing these old feuds-and as to the duty incumbent
upon all who are the disciples of Him whose mis-
sion, whose character, whose example teach us to
love and to bless our enemies.
1t is not as politicians, still less as sectional po-
ticians, that we address you We speak to you as
brethren; and as brethren we beseech YOU at once
to put forth that vast influence which belongs to a
body composed of more than million communi-
cants We entreat you, by your love for the coun-
try and her noble institutions, and by your LOYALTY
to the Prince of Peace, that you strive together
with us-by your prayers and your active interpo-
siton-to ailay these present asperties, and to
cue all we hold most dear from the ruin to which it
has for some time been drifting.
We are now assembled in the Capital Of this
great Republic. We live at that point which af-
fiords us clear view of the calamities now impend
ing. We are not alarmists, but cannot close our
eyes to the gloomy prospects rising before the peo
pie of this land. If we speak earnestly to you, be-
lieve us, there is cause. The Imagination is filled
with horror, the heart of every patriot must be
afflicted at the very thought of the destruction of
this glorious Government, of the disruption of our
national ties, and the dismemberment of such a
Union into States or Confederacies, hating each
other and arrayed in interminable warfare. Yet
this deporable catastrophe now threatens US
The prosperity of our churches of our missiona.
ry operations, of all our Christian enterprises must
be bghted, unless these baneful srifes can be COM
posed, and the fraricidal suicidal conflicts, now So
portentously menacing our country be averted.
The Spirit of Jesus is the spirit of peace, love,
harmony. We need not tell you that the men of
this word-the wisest as the most simple, the dis
tingushed as the most obscure-are all governed
by very different temper. If the various portions
of our extended and diversified population were
but under the influences of the Gospel, there is,
there could beno question which would not be east
ly adjusted in forbearance and charity. But vainly
do we look hope for any such heavenly spirit in
the halls of Congress, in the State Legislatures, or
among the people themselves. Everywhere we see
too plainly those passions whence come wars and
fghtings amongst u.s.
At period of solemnity and excitement like this,
when the foundations of society are disturbed,
when mems hearts troubled and the wisdom of
the wsest is perplexed by omens of disaster, it
surely becomes those who fear the Lord, to speak
often one to another and to be very importunate
with Him in whose hands the hearts of all men,
who has hitherto been so watchful guardian
this nation, who knows how to bring increased
order out of dsor der, abiding peace out Of
the Earring elements of discord.
In view of the clouds now lowering in the sky,
of the gloom hanging over US, and the storm which
seems to be fast approaching, we beseech you,
brethren, North, South, East, West, that our
hearts, our prayers our aims, our efforts may be
combined, that so, if it be possible, this cup of
national grief and bitterness may pass away, and
this great people, through the mercy of God, may
be saved from the untold miseries into which, from
the summit of unexampled prosperity, they seem
about to be plunged.
We serve One of whom it is declared, that "the
wrath of man should praise him, and the remainder
spirit of the Gospel which teaches peace and love,
and if supplicae the nterposition of the wisdom
and power which alone can meet the present emer-
gency, we shall not be disappointed. Human pas
sions will be controlled; the schemes of ambition,
the of sectional strife will all be made
to work out the purposes of infinite wisdom and
eternal love.
r. FULLER,
FRANKLIN WILSON,
G. W. SAMSON,
THO. q. WALTER,
JAMES c. YELLING,