The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-10-14
snnaap 9u0ing,
A POLITICAL SERMON RE-
VIEWED,

twenty or more ofthe leading Aboli- |
tionists Of the city of lancaster, you
have furnished them with the munu-
script of a Political Sermon you
preached in the Methodist Church, in |
this city some three Sabbaths since. !
''fhis sermon these Aloi.ionists hHve
caused to, be printed in the Lancaster
GAZETTE Of the 25th inst. h.
The single circumstance, that the
leading Abolitionists of our city, ma
ny of whom are not members of Your
congregation, were present upon that
occasion, demonstrates the fact that it
was understood beforehand by the ini-
tiated, that your sermon on that occa-
sion was to be a political speech.
/ did not hear you upon that occa-
sion, and I am glad that did not, as
l should have felt myself Justified
nay, should have felt it my impera-
tive duty both to God and my country,
10 have then demanded an opportuni>
ty to expose some of the more glaring
inaccuracies of your statements, espe-
cially your misrepresentation of such
facts as have passed into the history of
the times.
If you, sir, who, Sabbath after Sab
bath, expounded to us the words Of
Eternal Life, as grossly pervert the
word of God as you do the political
history of your country-in word, if
We can place no more reliance upon
your religious.tEan we can upon your
political teaching, God help US poor
sinners who seek through your minis
tration to obtain the Kingdom Of Hea-
ven. For 'when the blind lead the
blind, 10th shall fall into the ditch"
Reverend sir, you cannot have for>
gotten that in your introductory SER
mon on assuming charge Of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church in this place,
yoi called God to witness, that during
your ministration in this charge, you
would preach thought save Christ and
Him crucifcd. y
You were most undoubtedly led to
mako this most solemn VOW, from the
fact that your immediate predecessor
had utterly destroyed his influence
and usefulness by his DAZZLING i'll poll
tics. .
Do not misunderstar d me, sir. !
am not one Of those who believe that
Preachers of the Gospel have no polit-
ical rights. On the contrary, be-
lieye that you have just as good a right
to enjoy your political opinions as |
have to enjoy mine; nay, more, sir, |
20 still further, and say that you have
an inalienable right upon all proper
occasions to express aud advocate
Your opinisns. But | do most solemn
y protest against your assuming the
right because yog are preacher, to
make political speeches seven days il.
the week, whilst we laymen are COM
PEELED to confne our political speaking
to six days in the week.
In your introductory remarks, as an
apology for your departure from your
solemn vow, you claim that it is the
duty of the christian minister to teach
politics as we'll as Christianity. Sand
in doing go, you say she is following
the example and obeying the command
ofChrist and his apostles
I must confess, sir, my utter aston
ishment at even an inference, much
less.that Christ at any time or upon a
ny occasion, commanded his disciples
to engage in political preaching. ]
have read the four Gospels again and
again, and with much attention, with
out finding any such commandment.
On the contrary, I find much that dis,
comtenances it.
Our Lord in his last interview with
His disciples, just before He was re-
ceiVed up into heaven, charged then
to "Go INTO ALL THE WORLD AMI
PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY cREA
TuRE."
TO preach the gospel then, and no
politics, was the last command given
hy our Lord to his Disciples.
Now, Re7erend sir, will you explair
to me what is meant by the word "Gos
pel?" | believe that | am not mista
ken when 1 say that all Biblical schol
ars agree in defining the GOSPEL t.
mean Coon News. st. Luke seems
10 have so understood it. lie says
Chap. 2, 9Th to 18th verse inclusive
"rhere were in the seme country shep
herds abiding in the field, keeping watct
over the flock by night. And 10, The ange
OF the Lord came unto them; and they were
sore afraid And the angel said Unto them
Fear not; for behold bring you good tiding
of great joy ,ohich shall be 10 all the psople.-
For un'o you is born this day, in the city o
David, q Saviour, which is christ the Lore
y. And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude OF the heavenly host
prasing God and crying Glory to God in th,
highest, and on earth peace and good wiR TO-
ward men,"
This then is the Gospel--the good
nevs--"THE GOOD fIDINGs OF GREAT
JOY, WHICH SHALL BE TO ALL PEOPLE.
q This good news-good tidings ol
great joy, Christ commanded His dis
cfples, 500 ye unto all the world, and
preach to every creature" On earth
PEACE, not war; towards men, Good
WILL, not hatred, blood shed and
death. Is this, sir, the Gospel which
you preached in the sermon which you
have furnished the Abolitionigts for
notification. and which Won are T,reach>