Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-12-02
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.

In another column will be found one of
those bold frank, patriotic, powerful ser
mons, which have so distinguished their pop
ular author-Rev. Mr. WIswELl--siuce the
wicked work Of treason developed itself in
blood aud death throughout the land 1t
affords us much pleasure to lay before our
readers from time to time the peadings and
arguments of the christian pulpit, in favor
of the perpetuity Of the Republic and all its
vast interests--moral, political and religious
which are go inextricably interviewer with
its stability aud onward march of progress
aud prosperity.
The discourse has historical as well as
religious interest and we doubt not but
those who are in sympathy with the rebel
lien will add, apoitical Importance also. In
the minds of loyal, patriotic men, it will be
all the better for that, The time has passed
away when the pulpits of the nation are to
be sealed up and their teachings hushed be-
cause scoundrelly traitors aud periured
knaves see tit to cry out politics, politics" ."
whenever their rascalities are touched upon
and exposed by Ministers Of the gospel in
the performance of their sacred trusts.
We thank God that the pulpit does speak
that it dares to speak, boldly poiutedly.
effectively. Loyal hearts rejoice in its audi
BILE voice, and every right thinking man and
christian will respond "amen" to its rebukes of
treason and political wickedness. A great
change has been wrought in respect 10 the
understood duties Of the pnlpit, and its re
lallons to the community at large. People
begln to understand and appreciate the fact
tha' religion is not so far removed from good
citizenship as demagogues have attempted
to make them believe, but, on the contrary
that one OF the highest duties of the faith
iul, upright citizen, is to measure his publ,
acts and character 10y the standard of chris
tan virtue aud intelligence, to see how muci
OF power Or usefulness they may possess.--
ANY other standard Of influence must fail
however muchit may be lauded and pule,
into temporary notoriety by politicians an,
their satellites, The good citizen knows an,
feels all this; the pulpit has taught him t.
know and feel it and like true, homes
man, instead of stopping to wrangle an
dispute with its inexorabe truth, he cheer
fully submits to the force of its logic, an
conforms his life to its requirements.
80 much, then, has been gained by tn
pulpit speaking right cut, despite the clan
or of those whose interests lie wrapt up i
the concealment of disagreeable truths. Th
Preachers Of Wilmington have inaugurate
agood work in SO doing, and to no one gentl
man is our community more indebted for tn
result than to Rev. Mr. WiswELL. At Ii
very earliest stages Of the rebellion he boil
ly arrayed himself against its wickednes.
and with all the powers of his mastery ell
qlence strengthened by the commands of I'll
sacred volume, he stood forth--for a Ion
time alone--the champion OF the righteol
cause Of Liberty and Union in the pulpi
against all forms Of treason and secession
Having dared to speak in defence Of h
whole country before it was yet popular
thus speak very loudly, he now has the sati
faction Of knowing that lie is supported
his position by every respectable or influel
tial christian church and pulpit in the State
and nobody now but the ragmuflin poitico
of bankrupt reputation dares 10 even nsr
nate that he is preaching politics nstea
Of religion.