Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-04-30
st. ClairsyilIe Presbytery (O.S.)

to ministerial duty, and the gospel COM
nilsson which the resolution violates, aud
with which it is irreconcilabc "Any poll
tical senti,nent--dny thing made question
in the State" is disallowed the people to
expect, or the ministry to utter from the
pulpit, and condemned as threatening
immense evil to the church."
Many things are common to both church
and State. Tho moral law is the rule to
both. 1t consists of two tables. One
teaches duties to God, duties Of religion,
duties in regard to spiritual things. The
other relates to civil thiugs-=cur duties to
our fellow men IN all our natural and civil
relations to individuals, or social organiza-
tions Yet this is one law-the higher
law, and all to be expounded by the min
istry. The State may make any relation
which can possibly exist among men "a
question in the State" 1t ignores no re-
lation, but recognizes all, and gives legal
profession to all. 1t recognizes the MARI.
age relation, and prohibits it's being formed
without the consent Of the State. 1t pro-
vides for the education Of children as
civil duty, and the church provides for the
same thing as religious duty. 2J m 7a
The State makes question of the ordin-
ance Of an oath. Presbyterians teach in
their creed that the oath is not only an or
dinance Of God, but also an act of religious
worship. Now, will our brethern of the
Presbytery say the ministry must never
preach any thing about this act of religious
worship because the State makes question
Of it? Nothing to be preached about it
though the State should corrupt It, pervert
it, and take in vain Gods great name by
foarfully multiplying oaths, by inducing
proiane swearing, perjury and kindred evils2
Must the institution, nature and end of the
oath never be explained by the divinely
constituted expounders of Gods law be
cause made "a question in the State? No
matter though men should kiss the calf, +"
affirm, swear by the name of Almighty
God, OR ignore the oath altogether2 OF
course. No matter, till the State shall cease
to make it a question-whcn the need of
the teaching Of the ministry exists no long.
er-ttem the ministry may teach those parts
OF the Bible relating to the oath So in
Inmates the resolution. What relief, the
abounding of iniquity brings to the minis
try, from the burden of the word Of the
Lord
The State has often made quite question
about the Sabbath. The Constitution says
in certain connection on-"Sundays except.
ed" The laws have once and again au-
tlorized the transportation of Sunday mails
in times Of peac.. The Sabbath is now
used in the army, pretty generally. US other
days are. This is certainly question in
the State, and in regard to it conflicting
opinions exist. Our good President seclAs
to have desire to induce more respect Tor
the Sabbath than he can command in the
army. Too many of the officers have nc
regard for the Sabbath. And now they car
draw aid AMI comfort from the resolution
of the Preshytery. They can feel safe from
a public sentiment manufactured by clcrica
meddinu with political questions in the
State. The minister in the pulpit is no
allowed to give publicity to any politica
sentiment" The devil and wicked politi
ciins have always feared, more than al
other fearful things, public sentiment
formed by Bible influence, either through
Cbrist's preaching, or the preaching of
faithful ministry. ''Art thou come to tor
ment us before the timer SO the demons
cried under Christ's ministrations. Blu
long, long will bethe rcticence of the SCOT,
politicians Of his satanic majesty under tn
mute sentiment Of our presbyters in regar,
to national sins. Corrupt political senti
raent is the fountain from which flows al
national sins, The resolution torbids touch
i ing the fountain. No salt of Gods wor,
can be thrown there by clerical hands,
These teachers of morals resolve to stan,
/ by and see streams Of iniquity pouring fort
national sins, and never in Gods name ut
terra rebuke. What Of old distinguishe,
the Lords prophets and Baal's? ls'DA
| Whether the Bible should be used in th
\ public schools has been very serious quo;
tion-"a political question in the State.''-
!, or course, just when every Christian cit
zen needs and desires to know the truth o
this subject, and to know the value Of tn
truth here, all is forestaled--the ministr
can't open mouth for the dumb childre
for whom God made the Bible-can't te
their hearers their duty, whether The
h should vote, the Bible into the Schools, {
. vote it out o no--this would be givin
"a political opinion about "a question i
the State" Oh, this might stain th
clerical robe, aud worse--lnight hurt som
political party which can live in the ligl
Of the BibleI se nr
!: Fnregard to some Of these things ju
noticed they belong to- both church an
State. Yet this fact don't form an "a
: lance of church and STATE" Marriage
/. both civil and religious ordinance.
maybe administered BY minister Of ii
4