The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1863-09-23
ARE WE A CHRISTIAN NATION

The following extract frsm Bishop Pieces
Fast Day sermon, We clip from the South
ern Cirisfiaa .adrocafe. Bishop Pierce
saws:
On the ground that our fathers separat-
ed Church and State, secured freedom of
conscience, granted federation TO all reIi-
.ions, the popular inference has been all
alsRg that We were Christian na,isn.
But rightly viewed, the facts DO not iusti.
" the conclusion. Indeed The principle
affirmed. considered as distractions, or in
their practical effects upon Legislation or
public opinion, ignore all relerenc" to God
asd his law. and made the government SO
essentially secular. pslitlcsl and human, as
virtually TO assume mat God has no right
10 lt--no control Of II. and that 10 work II
~ss aur business, while lhr DEITY wa
mvre appropriately employed in anoiher,
perhaps . higher sphere. Accordingly.
10 the Constitution there was no acknosl-
sssm,nt cf His being or His providence.
and much legislation under IL Mas drectly
~ the lace si Ills authority. and every man
had right TO be as wicked aud mischiey.
su. A. he pleased.
Nnw. am neither a heretic in palltics
s5r bigot IN rellgiun. DO mt de.re to
see the Church. nv own or any other, g.
,sslished by the State; do no, desire
ihst the State should adopt and ppblish a
creed aud command every sOdv to believe
il. ask for no Inqsi.i,ions lfto any man =
private opinions Of practices. nor want no
tests or saths. But do not believe that
~ the organic law. Ged should be acknoWl.
edged in his beng. perlectians. providence
aud empire not a. the universal Father oi
asord Of dependent cr,atrres; that Is %
e,ry, sentimenia.ism. ani nav be nothing
msfe-bot a. the God sf the Bible, Maker
Pr,ssrvsr. Governor. Redermer. Judge
Father. Son and Holy Ghost. rhe thesc.
rsey,of the Jews. though no, prescribed ..
nsdeI Tor the naiious Of the earth. va.
r.tended = be The type. 10 substance il
=. 10 Iorm, u Al rightroas government
u the progress Of civilization and rrl sion
a. ,hr world approaches The grand pro.
phriIc peripd. when "Jruih shalLsprlng oui
u the earth and .righleov,nrss shall Isn.
down from heaven" the governments o
'sr,h will all be assin,iiaied TO this pattera
10 canfrmatloa Of this idea, u Is alreal,
rrVs. that the beI pnriions Of The cisl
Csdes of all Inc nallons 81 Asia and Europe
beth sncirnt and modern, were berrn~s,
irsn the Mosaic laws. Il is equally true
si,our.clvss.
The Constitatisn of the Csnfrderai,
tis;es Of America las taken one step in th,
ritht directisn. bat does net 90 far ensugh
10 - appeal ~ Almighly God. il uses th,
language Of nesm. Or natural religion
rather than ef Chrstianiiy. II does no
hsnnr Cod - he reveals himself in ihas
relations which concern us most, and b
rhloh the Divine glory is most illastriuus
" dselarra. God magnif,s his Wor
above al It's name. but there is no allusisl
10 ~. "G God !. N Christ reconriling IN,
world unto himself" Al! things w.r
made hy Him and FOR Him." and vel he j
not confessed. N0N. a. 4 Christian pen
pls, accrediting The Bible - 4 retr!atio,
from Cod. i.think there ough, IL be in oil
Constitution i distinct recognition It III
Christian religion. Ths moral characte
usa natisn in the Divine estimate. depend
largely upgn public national acts. Hence
attach great Importance tS these naiiona
iasu. Though many may neglect. SON
treat them with contempt. yei, proceedin.
irsm elected rulers. the representatives .
We people, ihry cBafactrrlzr tho counirs
ne. y. solemn OiHciil exponents Of &
ls'"us ia.th and sentiment. which as y
'.aIh lrum the understanding expression
~ me Divine rurd are acceptable to Gsd
our faists never called y. TO these act
o. se,l.denial confession aas intereesslor
W. hoasaods Of praying people ever th
land could not ayr'the government fros
me sGiun oiatheism Or inhdeli,y. And
w Instrument ssder which we organic
ase cssisderaey is omia.usly silent sa
.~ssn so vital as Christianity, what ca
"e' at can the world infer bu, HOSTILE