The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-10-10
A Religious View of the War.

The following communication is from one of
the most gifted and discreet clergymen of a Bori
der Free State - Catholic Mn7m.
lNesws. Editors: -
"Pure religion and undefiled before God
and the Father is this to visit the fatherless and
widows in their tribulation," &C., Jam. l. 27.
Ii this be the case, as infalible truth hath de-
cared, what must we think of clergymen-
ministers Of ''the meek and lowly Jesus'-who
in the temple of the living God can proclaim,
''that it is humanity, it is mercy to send down
upon the unfortunate and erring South, hum
dreds of thousands of men armed to the teeth
Ito destroy, to annihiate human beings Of our
own race-misguided, it is true--but still re-
claimable, not incorrigible, not beyond the pale
of conviction. 1t is lamentable to think that,
in our philanthropic age, such language should
be used by a class Of men whose calling is peace.
IF this language be held by one, high in spil.itu-
al position, it is still worse, more censurable, as
it encourages others in inferior grade, to depart
from their vocation of mercy and good will to
all. How unbecoming for one elevated to lofty
dignity, IN 'sthe House Of Cod" to oppose the
philanthropy of St. James; so that his words,
instead of exciting men ''to visit the fatherless
and widows in their tribulation," are calculated
to make orphans and widows on large scale
indeed. Whatever we may think of lay-politi-
clans, Qor they are of the world) there can be
but one opinion as to religious man or Chris
tian minister, whose position the Prophet thus
describes; 'gild yourselves and lament, o ye
Priests Howl ye ministers of the Lord, 60 in
saclcloth, ye ministers of God, because sacri-
flee and hbation are cut off from the House of
your God"
1t becomes the ministers of the Most High to-
be peace-nakers, to weep over the tense thou
sands slain, sin Israeli overtaken by sudden
and unprepared-for death. 'sThe man Of God"
can never hound on men to DEATH or exult in
their destruction, unless there be we'll groun-
ded hope, that their death is Sin Jesus" or ac-
cording to all human appreciation that their
lot will be with the saints-''in bliss"
1t is worthy Of being remembered that the
Church of which its highest and lowest func-
tionaries are, after all, but mere ofiicers-has
decreed that any one high or low who contri-
butes to blood-shedding, is irregular; which, if
the party be of clerical order, means that he is
debarred the exercise Of his official powers.
irn7srrtart= 6ssrs.s fessssd peetet Gregs
Lib. Y. III. AIf ssDans caasam honocidH n4eg-
ularis est" This decision is illustrated in the
Canon Law by the condemnation of Deacon
who had been the occasion of homicide and
on this account had forfeited the right to pro-
motion-"Non Vdetur ad sacadotum promo
readus." If then, in consequence of imprudent
sermons, from high or low, in the Church, tor
rents of blood should flow, we ask, are not
those concerned in this calamity, irregular; and
if so, how can they exercise their functions-or
at all act consistently if they concur to blood
II g. al, gf
sia abho,7et a sangaiae," that is, the Church
detests blood-spilling. Let them all reflect up-
on this tendency and requirement of the Church
and act in conformity to her expanded views of
philanthropy. NEMO. ~
An UNFULFILLED PRoMIsE.-Gov. Andrew,
Of Massachusetts, in letter to the Secretary
of War, promised that if the war for the Union
were turned into war for emancipation, 'sthe
roads would swarm with the multitudes that
would pour out to obey the call" Well, the
President has issued an emancipation proclama-
ton, and how stands Gov. Andrews promise
A Boston paper says:
9sSince the Presidents emancipation procla-
nation was Observation-Disclosures owing to that
or some other cause is not known--recruiting
has almost entirely ceased Even Ward IL
(where the foreign population reside) has con-
tributed no men during the last three days."
just as we expected. Abolition prophecies
and promises are alike 6osA-nothing When
the proclamation appeared, Forney cried, s'The
rebellion is ended!" But, as far as we can see,
it is now about as formidable as ever. Greely
cried ''God bless Abraham Lincoln" Beecher
responded--and the whole Abolition crew shout
ed Amenl For such poor compensation as this
the President forfeited the respect and confidence
of more than half the North, and made himself
ridiculous in the eyes Of the world.--Patraot d
Union.
Neddy" MCPHERSON