The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-01-18
Circular Letter.

NKw YORK Jan. ist 1851.
To the Clergy and Ldiy Of Christian Churches IN the
southern states " tie VniOn:-
We would salute you brethren, In the spirit Of the
apostolic formula :-'Grace, mercy and peaco..' As
eilow-heirs Of kingdom that endureth for ever"
have interests and relations superior u
all political bonds, furnishing the basis of fratera
intercourse even in seasons OF greatest civil comno-
tion. Faith in God would TO he the only alter
native in a crisis which reveals the impotence and
shot-sightedness Of man. II IL with profound con-
yiCtiun of the imnnence of national perils and with
deep sense Of the solcnny and delicacy ofthis hum
BILE attempt 10 avert them, that few sug-
gestiuns 10 dear brethren touching Of the
immediate causes Of our danger, and tue probable
consequences 10 great moral and reigous interests Of
the threatened disruption Of our civil ties.
A dsIassiouate view Of public affairs constrains
the belief that system Of gross and persistent mis-
representation has had much to do with leading tho
nation " the verge Of revolution. The South has
been sandered at the North and the North ~ grossly
msTepresentedat at the uth The extreme sentiments
unworthy acts of indy luals, aud the passionate
utteSn OF nconsderabe bodies political or eccle-
sis,t,a have been heradel through the land the
deliberate expression of opinion Of great parties de-
nominations, or sections of country; whereas they
ely represent the extravagance of their authors,
and should have been consig b. the oblivion they
merted. Too much Of this fritricidal work ha
undsniaby been done iy the pm pitt but far moro by
u press A distingli shed senator, when recently
asserting IN his place the "ninctenths OF the com
plants "us To supposed grievances "aro untJunded
added this deserved rebuke OF INSCRIPTIONS press
where there Is sectional strife and excitement thero
e In both sections 70 collect and give every fact
Which would nfane the passions and prejudices Of
one section against another In that way partial aud
unfair given, which makes each section
act under an apprehension Of the other"
II this view OF the question be accepted, does ID
not vitality Affect relations and the duty OF good
citizens north and southf DO nat TRUTH Justice and
self-reHpect demand extreme deliberston In tho
adoption OF measures for the redress Of grievances
which, on this hypJthess, may prove 10 be partly
unreal, and at best greatly exaggerated Mutual
Misunderstanding has been onen enough the occa-
sion OF domestic or national calamity " induce the
utmost patience and forbearance, before ireyocable
action involving the honor and the interests ofthiry
millions Of souls.
In our judgment, dear brethren, the time has come
for more calm discriminating investigation OF the
causes OF impending peris, and for manly, Christian
efnt under God, W avert them. II Is at true that
intelligent Christian patriotism has slccumbeI "
hnaticsm and demagogim. II may be dishsart-
ened OF stifed, for the time, by the misguided pas
sons Of In one locality another but IL lives
aud gows In millions Of hearts all over the land,
and In them ali il Is loyal 70 the Cons,i,u.ion the