Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-09-02

IL
trust in Divine aid, ingraned asst undoubtedly is,
in the hopes, the thoughts, and the progress of
the people, as we'll as approved by the universal
practice of the world. Still it is to be regretted
that the phraseology use should be unfortunate
ly associated with all that IS repugnant to our taste
and our feelings 1t is one of the many consequent
ces of our long intercourse with the Puritan men,
bers of the late Union They, by the way, do not
seem now to rely on fasts and humiliation. They
have recently INDUCED in thanksgivng for victory
but their panacea for defeat to be fresh leves
of men, more ironclads and additional fifteen inch
guns. Otherwise Lincoln & Go. steadfastly ignores
defeat
It may be that the sanctimonious Technology de-
rived, from the Yankees should not be allowed 10
initiate against custom laudable in ITSELF but
there are other accessories more deserving of pro-
test and apprehension. One of the most serious po-
litical moral and social curses which afflicted the
Union and precpitated Its downfall was the preva-
lence of political preachers. 1t a much easier
and more inviting road to wealth and fame to min
gle in political strife and to agtate the questions of
the hour than to nculcate the precepts of charity
or to expound the doctrines Of the Gospel A man
of good presence easy elocutiOn and redundant vo-
cabulary could readily fill his church and his pock
cts by stimulating the vasaries of fanaticsm and
hunting novelties for the. popular TASTE 1t vas
both easier and lucrative than to pl0d through
the subtetes of ecclesiastical lore to- seek to
guide the hayward public in the narrow path OF
Tho pulpit, that safe and sacred organ of sedi-
tion" has often been used for political purposes but
never so habitualy, to such extent, as among
the Northern States of the defunct Union. 1t de-
scended into the arena of faction and courted the
lowest breath of popular applause. Homilies on
slavery and sanctimonious arrogation of superior
virtue both ticked the vanity and pleased the taste
OF Yankee hearers
There are Indications that the South is not free
from this dangerous malady. That in times ofhigh
excitement the clergy should share the feelings of the
community, is natural; and it may be difficult to
prevent all confusion Of earthly and heavenly con-
siderations in pous discourse yet the nature of
our Government wisely adverse to the union o. the
secular and the religious arm, forbid it, and our
spect for the presty character tells US that it is
rather their duty to soften the passions aroused in
the contests the world and Withdraw our thoughts
frsm their fevered excitement, than,to stimulate
them by passionate discourse.
This revolution should secure us social, as we'll as
political independence. We should get rid of Yam
kee manners, as well of Puritan laws and one
of the obnoxious is the vice of political preach
ing. Let the Southern clergy then be assured that
they will win more lasting respect, and exert more
legitimate influence in abstaning from a custom
discordant to our manners Let them inculcate
virtue, stimulate patriotism, and expouad Christi
anity, but let them argue from unversas and trust
the SOOu SENSE VI W the 8ppll-
cation to particulars. Let them in their clerical ca
pacity, confine themselves to the holy province
whose separation from temporal interests Is alike
conducive to sound religion and good government
Let the purity of the prestly robes not be suliei
by the nre Of the furious struggles of daily lfe
Let our preachers, in imitation of the Divine Found
er of Christianity, utter their meaning by typica
language, conveying unchangng principles of ready
application to the purposes Of life. The persuasive
influence of unobtrusive pety will be more benefi
cal than the vehemence ofsensation sermons. Lee
us not have the Southern pulpit converted into-s
rostrum for political harangues, or a. lecture room
for the dissemination of peculiar philosophical tenets
Let not our. preachers discourse of Lincolo, or o
Seward, of Davis, or of Lee. Let them fulminat
against Pharoah and aolofernes, and exalt Gideor
and David. We have broken asunder from Yanke
craftsmanship and government, let US eschew thei
morality and manners. Wehave lowered the port
cullis, and manned the battlements against the as
saults of Seward Greeley, and Lovejoy. Great vii
be our modification and sorrow if Beecher an
Cheever should slip in by the -Richmon'
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