Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-07-28

destroyed all respect for the church and
its ministers, that such ISLANDERS of both
are permitted in its organs, apparently,
unrebukedf It is true that the Demo
cratic politicians in the South, before
they dared inaugurate the Slaveholders'
Rebellion against the Government, first
divided the churches, and subsidized
those parts of them within the limits
of the proposed Rebellion; and as it is
reported, and we think not without
some foundation, that the Northern
wing of the Democratic party is organ
izing, under secret oaths, for the pur-
pose of instigating Rebellion to pre-
vent the enforcement of the draft, it is
possible the first step in the programme
is to destroy the power and influence
Of the church and clergy over that
small element in the party whose rev.
erence and respect for Christianity has
not been entirely swallowed up by that
partisan bigotry and political prejudice
engendered during this Rebellion by
the calumnies and misrepresentation
of the Democratic press.
Whatever may have been the pur-
pose in view, however, this attack is 50
apparently malicious in its character
and false in all its statements that no
amount of credulity, bigotry or Athe-
ism will suffice TO screen its author
from the contempt Of oil men who have
any respect for truth, honesty, or Chris
tianity. .
The fact that the ministers OF st.
Clairsville agreed to preach occasion
ally-without interfering with their reg
ular duties-to the colored people of
this place, at their own church, is made
the occasion of all this ado. Is it
wrong to preach the gospel to this peo-
ple2 If so, why did the editor give
them money to assist them to buy q
church, ....s
When Christ commissioned his Apos
ties, he commanded them, "Go we into
the world and preach the gospel TO EVERY
CREArUnE;" and we have been taught
to believe it was the duty of ministers
to preach that gospel whenever and
wherever an opportunity was offered
to high and low, rich and poor, bond
and free, white and black--and this is
the first time, even in the history of
Copperhead absurdities, we have ever
heard men complained of for preaching
that gospel, and it is an alarming indi-
cation Of the influence and tendency OF
sympathy with Treason, in destroy
ing the moral and religious sentiment
OF those who are led by it.
The following are among the more
prominent falsehoods falsehoods con-
tanned in the above:
l. That this is the movement OF
Rev J. B. Johnston. 1t was not made
or suggested by him, or by any member
Of his church, but by one Of "the other
two gentlemen, who are SO eharitaJl,
threatened with thin spread bread and
butter.
2. That he sis irregular John Brown
disciple" He never had any sympa-
thy with the John Brown raid, any
more than he has with the midnight as
sassins and co-workers for the Rebel
lion who are holding their nightly revels
in our midst, and organizing their
forces for resistance of the Govern.
ment
8. That abe has succeeded, during
his short residence here, in abolition
izing his entire congregation, with q
few honorable exceptions" Mr.. John
ston, we presume, does not claim this
credit. The "Basis of Union" be,
tween the Associate and Associate Re.
formed Churches, contains, as the faith
of the united church, upon the subject
Of slavery, on page %, of the Testi
mony Of the United Presbyterian
Church, this doctrine: ...
"ARTIcLE Is. Or SLAvEuoLDINo.- -
We declare, that Slaveholding-thati is the
holding of unoffsnding human beings in
involuntary bondage, and considering and
treating them as property, and subject ia
bc bought and solids A VIOLATION OF
THE LAW OF Con, and contrary both "a
the letter and spirit Of Christianity"
Again, page 81:
"We have, therefore, in the law of God
and in the letter and spirit of Christianity
abundant reasons for testifying agains,
slaveholdinR as q sin. and consequently a
disqualification for membership in the church
Of Christ. +" ..
This is and has been the doctrine oi
this Church upon the subject Of Slave,
ry; and how he could abolitionize q