Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-05-24


WOO think that reIIgion ought " be- ,xuIuoeo
from politics. II religion is worth any hing, i
10 worth everything Aud If Il should be car
ried any where, IL ought to- be carried every-
where. 0ne great difficulty with our country is
that the people have not been controlled by
religious principles in their civil relations.
ii. Such being the structure OF this paper
that Is does undertake TO decide things not
taught In the Scriptures, shall regard the
adoption of II as an improper yielding on our
part to the popular clamor Of the times. We
are subject to sort OF periodical excitement
about evils Aud as these exctements press
down upon the Church she is too apt 30 be
swsyed by them Aud even ministers are TOO
much afraid TO take bold stand on high goepel
grounds. The cause OF all evils is human de-
praviiJ; and this depravity Is ever seeking
channels in the conduct of life In which 10 flow,
Undoubtedly the Church should bear her testi-
mony against evils; but notin such manner
as TO leave the Impression that these are the
only sin. At times in the North the popular
excitement is about slavery, and every church
must lifs it's voice against the "sum OF ell viii
laines." Nov, the popular tide 10 that OF 10y
atty against treasol, and the tendency is TO the
extreme that loyalty is the only virtue and
treason the only Gin, Even this paper before
the House says, "It fthe Presbyterian church,
may still be called loyal orthodox. and piOus
church," putting loyalty before orthodoxy and
piety. Certainly If We are orthodox, we hold 10
all the truths OF the Bible, including the pre-
cepis on civil duties; ii we are pious, We must
have G0db epirit molding us into complete con
formity OF heart and lie to all Christie will
Undoubtedly treason 10 sin But the treason
OF our land now IS not the cause of all our
troubles. That Is rather aresult--the result oi
long accumuladpg causes 1t is the result oil
Abolition fanaticism at the Moth, and OF pro
slavery dogmatism ut the South. Ii 10 the re.
suit OF political corruption, Of intemperance, oil
profanity, of Sabbath desecration, and especially
OF the negle of family government. Aud now
IL We are called upon to bear our testimony, lei
IL be against the true causes Of those divine
Judgments which God 10 inAipuDg upon ut
through the agency Of treason.
Ill ldesire for the good Of the nation tha
the Assembly do not adopt this paper. "Tht
creates, battle Is yet to be fought" says the
New York ObSerueT, in relation to the over
coming of the eDmity OF the Southern people
We do desire our brethren to come back. We
want our Church to be one and our country 70
be one. But outward unity will be OF very lit
tie oenefis unless we Can secure unity Of spirit
lu6 pcOplO VI but OOuNn pp biOhb beNe
TO love the people OF the North Their hat ed il
nov intense. But the Old School PresbJ Jterian
Church occupies q position where, by the bless
log OF God, she can become the mighty agent in
securing return of mutual respect and affec
tlOD between the now hostile sections of our
unhappy country. Aud thus can che serve her
country in u great aud glorious work. But
adopt this paper and thereby do you immensely
lesten your power for good In this matter.
Nv. The adoption Of tbis paper will certain
y be productive Of great evilsin our Church 10
the BJrder Save States | do not see any
good that it Can pofs bly, do anywhere. Ger
laiuly not In the North; for nobody questions
your loyalty. BIT with US IL must do immense
harm. IL must distract our churches, and drive
of multiludes of those men OF The world, WhC
have immol tai souls to be savel, but yet who
will not counieDance Church that undertakes
to decide political questions upon which the Bi
ole is silent.
I do not ak the General Assembly to ignor,
the slate oi the country entirely. Aud there
lore have myself prepared paper which
desire 10 append to the resolution OF Judge
Gamble. 1t Is as follOws:
The General Assembly of the Pfesbyteria
Church, in view OF tue present disturbed cOndi
ton Of public Affairs and Of the fearful civi
war which is raging 10 our country, would cal
the special atlenti III of all under its care t
those pIecepts Of Gods word which set fortl
the nature OF civil government, plainly teach
log that it Is divine instituton; which incul
cate the qualifications OF civil rulers and th,
principles by which the Lord requires them &c
be controlled 10 their Official conduct which
e9joiu upon all private ciuzenr, as religious du
ties, respect and prayer for, aud obedience al
a.,ha - all 10, -. ~
them; aud which forbid resistance to constitu.
ted authority as sin against Col. Tue As
sembly Likewise cOunsels q spirit OF meekUesI
and iorbearance and brotheriy love in thest
times OF excitement and strife aud division, anC
exhorts ell o seek the unity Of the Spirit in the
bonds of peace, and deprecates every form Of
bitterness and denunciation and wrath such az
are clea,ly forbidden by the Word of GJd. And
recognizing the hand of God in the terrible
judgment with which our land is nov being Wis
tied on accoOnt Of our sins, IL hereby sets apart
the first Thursday Of July as day Of humllia.
tion and prayer, and recommends TO all churches
under its care TO assemble at their accustomed
places Of worship there TO confess and bewai
our national sins, and iervently to beseech tht
Lord our God TO restore unto our zion and L
our country peace and order, aud love and unity
as speedily as may be consistent with His holy
aud all wise purposes. The Assembly further
more earnestly recommends that be aftern, OF
OF The frat Thursday of every month be spent
in solemn prayer to God during The Continuance
# our present troubles.
DE-. Marshall followed Mr.. Forman, speaking
on the other side, He would not have counsel.
ed the introduction OF such paper as Dr.
Breckinhdge's, as be regarded the deliverance
of the last Assembly on that subject as being
snffisient. But, as the paper was before the
Assembly, he was for adop iLg it He spoke at
come length in support OF the views il contains.
Rev. Nc McMillaD, of Oxford, OHIO, follow
ed on the same side.
Somebody moved that Judge CANDLES reso-
luton be laid on the table, which motion was
declared carried. r-r-rtsr
Dr.. Damont moved TO lay the whole subject
on thetable. The yeas andnays we're demand
ed.
D.. Breckinridge moved that his paper be
made the special order for tomorrow morning,
at nine O'clock, which motion prevailed.
DR.. HOge announced the appointments for to-
morrow Sunday
Alter religions exercises, the Assembly ad-
journed.