American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-04-13

| DteIV, unleSs bilS tieinent pS III Jul iSii-
gon, it will be no better than the religion
of Boodsh, Juggernautt or Guadamah.-
This principle is the same to religion, that
Leaven is to the meal. Gal 9Th and 9Th.
Hgives atVe; II as life; without it reli-
gion is a dead, loathsome carcass, a bar
rem idea, a forgery, libel-proof, see
heathen mythology, human sacrifices, &c.
End. This true religion, must be the
ruling elementin daily life, in society and
in politics. The same to these that the
Leaven is to the meal. Now if this rule
were followed, there could be no war, for
true religion leads to peace, quiet, liberty,
equal rights, and to love our neighbor as
ourselves, and this religion is not many,
but one-the religion of Christ.
Having laid these foundation princi-
pies, proceed to build my argument,
and here notice that, this religion may be
safely brought into every avocation of hu-
man life, into every prin ciple of human
government, every good institution, and is
productive of good in each and every de-
partment, for it sanctifes the whole mass,
purifes the whole economy of nature.
The contrary cannot be truthfully said,
we cannot bring anything else into our
religion of our worldly, selfish or COM
mon affairs, without producing disastrous
results Religion will not stand that kind
of mixing, and right here as the grand
source Of aHour troubles, as we shall show.
Religion can stand alone, it has stood for
eighteen hundred years, amid the scorn
contempt, caresses, fawmngs, corruptions,
prosecutions of Kings, Emperors, courts,
populaces, nations and people, and stands
out at the present hour in bold relief, from
| the dark clouds of national sorrow. to
show us our way out of this dire conflict
and will it be thought presumption in me-
to assert, that If we ever reach the shore
of our troubles, the goal of peace, rehgi-
gion, true and undefled, must be our pilot
or guide? Thank God then, that we have
a President, who earnestly calls ground
him this hallowed influence, in his ap-
peals to us for our prayers, sympathies
sermons and general cooperation, in the
fearful struggle for our national existence
God bless him and give wisdom, is our
fervent prayer, and IRE pU try to 9ice the
nation Hght it is our imperative duty
and solemn promise. Now to see where
we have run off the track, and the OBJ
struction-but if we bring into our reli-
gion as a ruling element. drunkenness for
example, and although in other respects,
it may be said we are good hearted, kind,
affectionate, good citizens, &c. Yet where
his pernicious practice or evilhabit pre-
walls, it becomes the ruling passion or
element of the mans life. His social in
erests happiness &c, as well as mental
culture and moral principles, give way to
its overpowering influence, and the man
presents to the eye of even the casual OBJ
server, wreck of character. Can we
mistake the cause, had he made religion,
true religion, the ruling element of his
life, the passion would have been restrain.
ed, overcome. The habit broken up, and
instead of wreck of character, you would
discover a man of moral worth. The
same thing may be said of every vice of
which as people we are guilty, let either
fraud, lying, stealing, Sabbath breaking,
gambling, incest or even speculation, (for
this is kind of polite fraud be INDUCED
in as a practice, and the passions of our
carnal natures, such as anger, wrath, NAL
ice, evil speaking jealousy, prejudice, in
ordinate love for earthly objects, covetous-
ness, &C., be cherished by us and ''rolled
as a sweet morsel under our tongues. -
1t will become the leaver or moving pow
er of the soul, and will finally subvert
every moral principle which we may have
imbibed, and our profession become a
stink in the nose of every intelligent man
or woman acquainted with our course
But you inquire, what has all this to do
with politics? answer by stating facts
patent in our countrys history, as sec
ton, the southern people have made Poll
tics, (not reGgion) the suliug element Of
southern society. .Slarery the leauen OF
politics and politics The leaven Of society.
Religion has been humbled befor it, made
to give place. Proof, sec .fe,o ,chite men
present at euery religious meeting, or else
the meeting pronounced unld,gfm See
learning prohibited The sla0e; see The mar
riage Institution ignored .torntcatioa and
basterdy, common IN ece'y quarter, pro
Tossing christians selling Their oacn flesh and
blood into perpetual slavery. Does the
churches, or religion of the south uphold
| the abuses you inquire, certainly in ma