Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-10-19
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.

II any man has watched CLOSELY the
course of some Of the clergy i'm this city.
he must have been astounded at the want
of knowledge of the world they displav,
and the little regard they have for the
character Of their profession. Some WAC
once said " that candidates for holy orders
are olten Tunes persons claiming authority
to show their felow-creatures the way 10
Heaven, because they have been anqble
TO make their own way on earth" Mere
clolster mon, with very little knowledge OF
The world or the worlds ways, they no
sooner mount pulpit, than they conceive
they are then to instruct men in politics
as well as religion. Their Incorporate
meddIing with the former, aided very ma
terially in bringing on this present fearful
clVlI war. Who can ever forget the scath-
ing rebuke that Mr. Douglas administered
to the three thousand clergymen who de-
sired to instruct him in his political courseY
"ao can forget the incorporate language
ana the vile abuse that have charact erized
Inc debates in religious conventions upon
the subject of slavery ? All serving 10 in
tensliy and embitter the feelings of the
South? Who will ever forget the insane
appeals that have been made from many
pulPits In the North, where the ministers
OF the meek ana lowly one of Nazareth,
"whose feet should oe shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace" come
into the sacred desk with tho battle-light
upon Their countenances, and garments
rolled IN blood, such men as Tying, Chee-
yer, Beecher, and many others who might
be named, have clearly mistaken their
calling, and upon their souls must rest the
fearful responsibility, both here and here
after, of doing what Plate did lining
llng blood with their sacrifices" They
have been foremost among those who
" have made haste TO shed blood" They
have used every effort to excite the minds
OF their congregations 10 hatred, revenge
and bitterness, instead of TO love, peace
and good will. they minded their true
mission they would discover that they had
nothing TO do with the sword of steel that
pierces the body, but only with "the
sword of the spirit which is the word of
God" If they must elevate shield, let
it only be "the shield of faith, wherewith
they shall be able 10 quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked" These men seem
to be ashamed Of the gospel of Peace, Of
Him who is King of Salem, that is King of
Peace. They appear TO love the testimony
of men rather than the testimony of the
Lord. The effect of their conduct has
been to drive many well-meaung men
from the sanctuary, shocked at the glar-
ing inconsistencies and contradictions in
the lives and examples of those who min
ister therein. Never was infidelity and
irreligion so rife in the land as now, and
the cause of it is to be found in the mad
Inconsistencies OF the clergy. Let our
Clergy remember what Chaucer says, in
his Canterbury Tales, of the Parson;
" Hi preaching much, but more his practice
wrought
living sermon Of the truths ke taught,
For this, by rules severe his life he squared,
That all might sec the doctrines which they
heard,
The gold of heaven, who bear the God impressed
But whom the precious coin is kept unOlean,
The sovereign image is no longer seen.
II they be foul, on whom the people trust,
Well may the baser brass contract arust."
" T. D1iv Mans