The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-17
THE CLERGY AND THE CRISIS.


NKw YoHy, JAM 1, 1861
To THE energy AND I4rry or GuIsnaS CiuRc1ns IN Nm
SOUTHERN STATS UNION
We would salute you brethren, in the spirit Of the
apostolic Formula: " Grace, mercy and peace As fell
low heirs o, kingdom that "endureih for ever" We
have common interests and relations superior to Al
political bonds furnishing the basic of rraternl inter
course even in seasons OF greatest civil comms-
ton Faith IN God would to be the only
IN crisis which reveals the impotence AMI short sighted
Dess OF man. IL ia with a profound conviction of the
imminence of national pers and vita deep sense a
the solemnty and deicacy OF this humble attempt
avert them, that venture few suggestions to our
dear brethren, touching some OF the immediate u
our danger and the probable consequences to great
and religious interests Of the threatened disruption ol
civil ties.
dispassonatc view Of public affairs constrains tho
belief that system Of gross and persistent msreprseu
taon has had much 70 with leading tho nation
verge OF revolution The South has sandered tho
North and tho North grossly msreprcsented ut tbs
south The extreme sentiInens OF unworthy acts Of IN
dviduals and tho passionate uterances OF inconsdsr
able bodies, political or ecclesiastical have been be-
raded through the land the deliberate expression n
opinion Of great parties denominations sections az
country whereas hey merely represented the extravs
gancc of their authors and should have been Consigned
to the Oblivion they merted Too much Of this ralrci-
dial work has undeniably been done by the pulpit bus
far more by the press. A distinguished senator, when
,econ.y sssc1,ns VI hn pn.o sst nine 'enths o.
founded - added this deserved rebuke Of an unscru-
puious thcre Is sectional strife and ex
there to b. pronepees tho part OF tho
newspaper press both sections collect give every
fact which would inname the passions aud prejudices "
section against another f. that way partial and un-
fair statements are gwen which make each section act
under an apprehension Of the other
n this OF the question be accepted, does IL net
vitality affect relations the duty Of gOod citzsns
North and SOUTH no truth justice and self respect
demand dclberaton the adoption Of
the redress Of grievances which, this hypothesis,
may prove to he partly unreal, and at best greatly
oxsggeraeds Mutual misunder standing hiss been often
nough the occasion Of domestic national calamity -
induce the utmost patience and orbea-ance before rc
vocable action involving tho honor AND the interests a
thirty millions u souls.
In our Judgment dear brethren tho tno has come for
n calm, discriminating investigation OF the causes
RI impending perils and for manly Christian eort under
Cod to avert them. II Is not true that inte,lgenG
Christian patriotism has succumbed to fanatcsm and
demagoguism. IL may be dlsheartencd stied for ths
limo by the Misguided passions " In locality or
noth but IL lives and CLOVIS in millions OF hearts al
the land, ard IN them all Is loyal to the constu-
ton The Onion the Bibo We should hazard nothing
In thus pedgng the great body Of the people these
Northern States do not, Will disrust the great
body OF the people in ths behalf the Southern States
Why then should not seek 10 put end 10 the exas
ing spirit OF mistrust and ALIENATION stay the progress
Of groundess ordinations and recrlmnaiou and ioip
hnnds, accord TO the grace and wisdom God may he
stow in the blessed Office of peacemasers for our dls
tracted country
IL Appropriate work. Besides tho inte~csts com
20 all citizenf have vital stake in the rerpctua
ron Of our federal Union other snd higher crounds
The honor and prosperity ~ Protestant Christianity nrs
involved in The ssue Mature 10 our great expcrimeux
Of self government, besides anerdng sad proof u re-
craency the art OF American Chri~tns would re nte
Peted In ell land " evidence Of lhc poSoslessnass o.