The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-12-30
vvm0EE NUMBER. 3O9O
VOL. s, NO. %
From the German Reformed Messenger. ]
THE CHURCH AND POLITICS.

In times of storm on the ocean, wise navi
gators will often take, the bearing Of ship, and
see whether they are drifting g-Amid civil agi-
tations and commissions, the same procedure is
all-imp0rtant 1t is 50 for individual men, fol
society aud for institutions Under no form
do they find IL so important as in their Chris
tian character. Christian men, Christian So
ciety, the Christian Church, ought In times like
the present, to take especial care 10 know with
er they are drifting. The tendency is to rush
headiong Wisdom says, bewarel 1t is amid
commoiions such as we are undergoing, that,
more than ordinarily, ''the Devil, like roar
ing lion, goeth about, seeking whom he may
devour." Many men grow wild and unreasonable
with excitement constantly fed, society becomes
imbittered, and its amenities are measurably
forgotien-and the Church Does she pour oil
upon the troubled waters Does she with words
Of heavenly wisdom and love, seek 90 allay the
storms Of human passion? Does she, as her
mission is, stand forth By word and deed as an
omnipotent ark OF safety amid the general ruin
of couatry anI liberty waien threatens US ? la
a word, Is sic IN all Ter parts as true 10 herself,
and thus to cur country and mankind, as sic
! ought 70 5e These questions are pertinent to
an extent and in . sense, it appears to US,
which many intelligent Christians have SO far
found themselves utterly unable TO realize. As
items to be considered 10 fairly answering thein
we propose tae following specimen facts:
One OF the Pittsbusg papers, several weeks
ago, contained a series ol resolutions Oh politi-
cal Subjects offered by tie Rey. Dr. D., OF that
city, and passed unanimously at u Synodical
( meeting OF the Reformed Presbyterian Church,
! held in Mercer Co, lenna. The resolutions
recite their authors idea Of the present state
OF the country, Of what has brought us into
it, and what will enable Us 20 get out OF it, and
conclude by declaring it as a duty which Ithey
/ owe TO God to vote themselves, and to urge
/ their parishloners to vote, for the nominees OF
one Of our political parties, whom they men
ti0n by name, at the coming Presidential elec-
ton.
/ Ia the same paper we saw also the report of
political meeting held in Northwestern Penn
7 sylvanil-a section largely settled by New Eng
/ land elements, at which, after different we'll
( known politicians had spoken, the Rev DR..
/ Mel. Of r., reported 10 bo very kind, worthy
! gentleman followed with sPeech IN support
Of the party and nominees before referred To-
Before US lies copy Of the Western Chris
tian dyocate, a Methodist paper published at
Cincinnati. It is not private sheet, but is
owned by the great Methodist Church, and
speaks IN It's name. Were it not for its title,
and the frequent use Of the name Of the de-
nom nation TO which it belongs. the unacquain-
ted reader might very readily mistake 1t Tor q
campaign paper in the hire Of the party whose
interest it advocates on every page.
We call these specimen facts. The list might
easily be swelled till it would pass from the
range Of newspaper 10 q book of TO mean
size, whatever applicability the adjective, in
ona sense, might have to the contents. These
however, may suffice for our present purpose.
Let the reader observe that
/. To DO work like what has just been re-
ferrsd TO. is not the business of Synods, minis
tiers, or Caurch-papegs. They claim to spea!,
in the name OF Christianity, in 50 far as they
represent it, and thcr position necessarily leaves
that impression, In its name they ought 10
speak wien they do speak; AMI on what they
haze no warrant from it, they should either be
silent, or refrain from Gic.ailen. The distine-
tive work Of Christianity is 10 represent to men
the uuchangeabIe, the e,ernally true, the divine,
aud to address in men the immortal soul and
its undyug interests. Il Is laying violent hands
upon ii to seek 10 subordinate il to other pur-
poses
3 It's great mistake to suppose that the
Church hallows politics by becoming itself po-
litical All history and experience testify to
lAe eontrarY. For any part OF il to become
political is violation of the law OF lis life, a
heaven-crying wrong. Denominations, congre-
cations and ministers who forget their calling in
this matter, viii themselves be secuIarzcd he
fore they are aware Of it. Sooner or later they
j will be found adrift amid the floating opinions
and interests to which they have allied them.
selves There are more means than kiss Il
betray the Lord, and to secure the fate Of j i
das.
3. The tendency is Immediately mischevons
In cur country the two great parties are very
nearly equal divided rs to numbers, talent, in.
telgencc and moral worth, aud they profess
alike answering fidelity to tie country. How
now, can the Church, under these circumstances
proclaim it as a duty to God TO upheld the one
and to oyerwhelm tie other ! And how car
the Church expect the confidence and obedienc.
of the ten twelve millions OF people whom
: 1t would thus wrong and consequently cmbtter
Besides, have not these people also their reI:g,
ious convictions the same subjects and
shall they likewise seek for an official express
ion Of them from the Church and shall thu
the battle of political questions and strifes, witt
all the unholy means employed be fought at th,
very altars Of Jesus Christ
We cherish feeling Of levout gratitude II
Z Almighty God that the Reformed Church an,
some others have kept themselves aIoog from
: politics in these violent times. Some daY tht
wisdom and truth Of their course will be uni
Y versalIy felt and Acknowledged.
4 ts-A little boy, who put counterfeit money
in the contribution box, replied 10 his Sunda
school teacher that he 'didn's s'pose the Ettl
heathens would know the difference, and tho
a il would be just as good for them Thought
full boy,