Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-02-02


lessy embtter complicate the existing differences
and, above ALL such measures as would set on fire
the destroying passions of civil war. 1t becomes
us, even while we prepare for the worst to look d.
ligenty on all sides for some mediating umpire by
whose impartial hand the dogs of war NAV be held
in leash till the final verdict of the people is given
Surely God has not given us over to madness but
the issue might still be that they should then be
chained up forever instead of being now let loose to
rend our common mother. And further we would
humby appeal to all Christians, of the North and
the South to exert everywhere the moderating in
huences appropriate to the followers of the Prince
of Peace. 1t cannot but appear to the reasonable
mind most unsuitable that Christian men, and
Christian ministers should be in the extreme front
of party movements, when all history tells US that
such movements never become heated without be-
coming extreme In tempering the body polite to-
gether, God has given to the Christian members
function like that of the conscience in the natural
man, which regulates and moderates the whole
The movement of the common body is the resultant
OF many concurring forces, of which, if some are
liable to be too sluggish, many are always too i'm
petuous. The Christian may therefore safely con-
cIude that his duty will be best performed by acting
with the moderate instead of the vehement. Gods
people are the regulators of the social machine
Shall they forget this most necessary and whole
some Junction. and throw their whole momentum
to hurry that motion which they should regulate
Then nothing can be expected but that the machine
will wreck itself with its own mad velocity Let
us then all study moderation of political sentiments
of resentments, and of language Let us keep
watch before the door of our lips lest some needless
word issue forth to exasperate what is already too
angry. Let US see to it that we do not initiate the
sin, share the guilt of those who have perverted
the sacred influences of Christianity to sanctiy their
malignant feelings Let the Sabbath with its sacred
calm, be reserved more ealously than ever for top
les truly divine, in order that its recurring sancti-
ties may aid in temperng the excitement of the peo
pie. For this is the wise ordinance of Him who
made the Sabbath for man." that this weekly
breach in the current of secular cares, and the
SOLDERING and eevating contrast of heavenly conem-
patonS, might prevent the flow of earthly passions
from becoming morbid, and chatting the soul into
phrenZy.
1t is usually found that wherever the excitements
of our weekly debates allowed to ntrude into the
sanctuary, the pulpit and the Sabbath, feversh
evaporation of popular feeling results.
The urgency of our country's dangers will be our
apology for again beseechng you, dear Brethren, to
remember your Christian responsibilities to God
and his Church. Every whose heart is not
harder than the neither milestone, will surely count
the cost at such time this and view deliberately
the terrible results which may possibly probably
come from error now committed. Is disunon, or
civil war now before us. civil war whose rigor and
atrocities may appal the world The wisest hearts
admit the fear Let each man t1en place himself
before it is too late in the midst of the posi-
BILE horrors of that fratricidal war; let him bring
before his mind country ravaged its fields lately
smiling with plenty, stained by battle, and the
carnage of fellow citizens, and brethren of
Christianity its cities sacked deserted its peace
fu homes desolated and its order displaced by fierce
anarchy, and let him ask himself whether as he
stands amidst the ruin he will be able to take Heaven
to witness that of its guilt is on his skirts
Let each man remember that he must answer at the
Judgment seat of Christ, for his conduct citizen
and to it that when he meets there the ghosts of
all that shall be sain of all the wives that shall be
widowed of all the children that shall be consigned
to Orphanage and restitution, of all the hoary pa
rents that shall be bereaved of their sons in this
quarrel, and of all the ignorant damned through
our neglect while wagng the work of mutual
destruction he shall be able appeal to the Searcher
of Hearts that OF it was his doing that every
whit of this mountainous aggregate of guilt belongs
to his adversareS, and not to himself; that he had
exhausted every righteous expedient, and exerted
every lawful power to avoid it. If brethren, you
do this it will be well with you however i'll it
may he with miserable country. But if not
who can estimate that guilt? But blessed be God
all is not yet lost. And if only his church shall
have grace given to her equal to her duty; if she
only rise above the vug gar mists of prejudice,
false pride and mutual recriminations if she shall
steadily lift up the calm loving, and potential voice
of Gods Law, Speeding peace to the tumuts of the
people, and even to the incpient din of war; if the
X,
knit again the bands which angry and selfish men
have rent how glorious will be this achievement of
Christianity to her Lord, and how blessed to his
creatures. Fellow Christians, let US arise as one
man. and accomplish it. And finally that this
peaceful victory may be won, we would repeat the
call to prayer God is our Refuge and Strength, a
very present Help in trouble" Let US continue
daily before the throne of the heavenly grace those
humiliatiOns and entrcaties to which called
by our venerable Chief Magistrate until God have
mercy upon us, and the sword which is stretched
ont over the land, is withdrawn. And we will be
Your servants for Christs sake
NJ. B. GRIER,
Pastor 1st Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, n. c.
j. Z. PRICHARD,
Pastor 1st Baptist Church. Wilmington, n. C..
T. W. GUTHRIE,
Pastor Front st. N. E. Church, Wilmington, n. c.
NJ. NJ. MCQUEEN,
Pastor ID Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, n. C.
JOHN II. MENGERT,
Pastor Evan Lutheran Church. Wilmington, n. c.
We, whoes names are undersigned, coincide in
the general sentiments Of the above address, and
second its recommendations:
THOMAS ATKINSON,
Bishop Of the Diocese of North-Carolina
j. A. WAINWRIGHT,
Rector of ST. Johns Church. Wilmington, N. G.
DANIEL MORRELLE,
Deacon St Pauls Church, Wilmington, N. G.
R. B. DRANE,
Rector ST. James Parish, Wilmington, n. e.
THOMAS MURPHY,
Pastor of St. Thomas Church, Wilmington, n. G.
j. W. WHEELER,
Pastor Fifth st. NJ. E. Church, Wilmington, n. c.
January Sth, 1861.