The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer., 1863-02-13

tlou vi d paStoi W las pcVpio -iuSolFoS UT
implies the existence of such a right
There is not an ecclesiastical tribunal
known to any church that would pretend
to claim for itself such right-the whole
circumstances connected with the getting
up of the paper, its formal manner, formal
presentation, all let me understand that
n,overs IN the matter were asserting what
they regarded as right. There are times
when wise man, for the sake of peace,
may yield even his rights, or at least waive
them. But everything around me warned
me that this was no time to yield to such
a claim. Political questions are the all
absorbing subjects of mems thoughts, the
spirit Of the day is characterized by law
lessness and radicalism-the community
in which l live is excited and divided
all the parties or opinions to be found
anywhere are to be found here.
Under such circumstances l could not
but see that weakly to yield the claim to
such right was to cut loose from sure
moorings and put to sea in raging storm.
1t was plain to see that the principle, ,once
acknowledged and the practice once inau-
gurated, that could not stop. If a pas
tor gives his written opinion on the object
and end of the war, why not on the Pres
ident's proclamation? Why not on any ci-
vii question !?
"lf Emancipationists may interrogate
their pastor, Democrats may do the same.
Any man of any opinion, may claim the
same right. 1t requires no great penetra-
ton to see that the dictatorial spirit which
begins such course becomes but more ex-
acting the more it is gratifed. Resis-
tance at the beginning, and resistance on
some we'll defined principle is clearly the
only resistance that can hope to be effect
ed.
"Agaip, resisted the demand because
l regarded it as duty which, owed to
all the ministers of the gospel who are
not willing to become politicians. Exam
pie in oBtagious-restless, radical, fanat-
ical men unhappily abound-there is a
sympathy that binds them together like a
common instinct-they move in concert
agitation is their main weapon-where
they begin they do not stop. Let any
one look at this letter. 1t will be seen that
these gentlemen feel that they have mis-
sion-they feel called upon, in the econ
scientious discharge Of their duty to God
and the government under which they
live" not ouly to regulate their own pas
tor and church, but other pastors and
churches in this city; nay, more, through
the Presbytery and Synod composed of
ministers and representatives of the
churches) the pastors and churches of half
the State. Did not the peace of the
church require ME firmly and at all haz-
ards to resist the demands of such men ?
"AgaiR, resisted because the teach
,ings and practice of my whole ministerial
life solemnly pledged me to resist. In all
places and at all times l have opposed to
the full extent ofmy ability the introduc-
tion of civil, secular and political ques-
tions into the house of God. As pas
tor, and because was pastor, l have
stood aloof from these things, even in my
private relations. In the church courts,
from the highest to the lowest-when the
current was with me and when it was
against met have resisted with all the.
Influence and ability that had, the in
production aud decision of such questions.
| have nothing to conceal on this subject
and nothing to retract. I thank God for
what be has enabled us to do, and only
regret that I was not able to do more
The Constitution of the Presbyterian
Church, which every minister in his ordi-
nation VOWS declares that he "sincerely
receives and adopts as containing the sys-
! tenn of doctrines taught in the Holy Scrip
tures," says:-"Synods or councils are to
J handle or conclude nothing but aohat IS &C.
, clesaosticdl and are not to taternteddte
Nth csoa affairs tohich concern the Com
monweadh' The Church is bound by
) her fundamental laws to exclude these
matters from her courts. As a minister
. of the Gospel | have only to say that the
point from which | regard and deal with
5 men, has never been citizen Of the Com
r lmonwealth having civil duties to perform,
! but as "fallen sinners having need of sal
vation," and the great thing at which /
j have aimed, and to which have subordi-
d mated everything else, is to bring them to
: the cross, toreconcile them to God through
: the blood of the Lamb, and to imbue them
with the Spirit Of the Divine Master. In
: saying this, neither forget nor ignore
9 THE fact that am the authorised expodn-
der of revelation which touches the entire
0 circle of human duty, But hold this
r Ito be true, that when men have an intel
4 llantnal anonnin tanna mirh their cluil or