Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-06-24
THE cnuRon OF DELAWARE SPEAKS
AGAIN.

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THE cHuRcH OF DELAWARE SPEAKS
AGAIN.
We have frequently, during the pro.
gress of The war, had occasion to note
the fidelity loyalty and patriotism of the
christian churches of this State, and par
tienlarly of Wilmington Nowhere has
the Pulpit heen more outspoken; and in
no section of the country have ministers
OF the gospel been more faithful and zeal
ous in the discharge Of their duties as
christian men and good citizens than here
When we look around and see how deem
ly the officers Of the State are tainted
with treason when Governors, Senators
and others in official position are pocket
ing the peoples money for plotting and
conniying at the peoples destruction. we
are led to the conclusion that to the chris
tlan ministers Of our State is due much
larger share of credit for the LOYALTY and
Union sentiment which pervades the
minds Of the people, than is generally
accorded to them. From the very start
they have stood up manfully for their
country. They have denounced the rc.
belllon as crime against society not
merely, bni as sin against God and like
lrhe christian patriots they have coun,
selled their several hocLs To lie faithful to
lie only Constitution which guarantees to
every man the blessings Of civil and reli
e'9ns liberty Let us thank God, that, Il
No have sympathiscr4 with secession, in
high political places within our own bor-
ders, we also have GOOD men who are
ready 70 come forth and from the sacred
desk nnma'k the iniquities Of treason and
maniully defend The government.
A few days ago, the annual convention
Of the Protestant Episcopal Church Of
the Diocese of Delaware met at Lewes.-
In his address TO that body, the beloved
Bishop, Right Rev, ALrnEp LEE took
occasion aGain-as he has frequently done
IN his Pnlpi, to impress upon Ills hear-
trs the value Of the Union, aud the clearl,
defined scriptnral duty of every eood
citizen in the terrible crisi4 through wLcl
The nation is passing. In his remark /
lbe Bishop did not speak for himsel
alone, bui he spokc for his church in view
oi tile solemn responsibilities which IN,
Bible and its own teachings have enioined
upon II in all matters Of civil polity and
IN nothing that has appeared lately have
we found the duties Of the Church mar,
clearly and briefly set forth than in III,
following extract from the Bishop. adj
dress herein alluded to:-
In the stern and awful crisis tbroupl
which we have been passing, have bceI
constrained by most sacred and impera
tive convictions to declare without con
ccailnent or reserve, my views of wha
our holy religion, under such circun
stances teaches and requires. When tn,
foundations OF society and government
were threatened with subversion, to have
kept back the plain testimony Of Scrip.
tnre, upon great questions Of civil obipa.
ton and responsibility, would have been
to shun to declare the whole counsel Of
God On the page Of the New Testa,
ment rebellion against lawfully estab.
lshcd government is sin against God
Under the grayest sense OF responsibility
10 the flock over which the Holy Ghost
hath made me oYerseer, and to the Great
Shepherd and Bishop Of souls, have not
lelt at liberty to ignore and pass over
those emphatic passages which require
every soul to be subject to the powers that
pc, not only for wrath, but also for con
,,cienee sake In 50 doing have felt that
was carrying out the principles of nv
Church, which, while keeping aloof from
matters Of mere secular policy. has from
the organization of our government offer.
sd prayer supplication and intercession
lof The President of the United States