The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-08-17
FAST DAY IN ASHLAND.

for fasting and prayer over the unfortu
nate condition. of our country, The people
of our village and vicinity suspended blu
siness and repaired to the NJ. E. Church
to engage in the appropriate exercises
They deemed it fitting and appropriate te
supplicate a throne of grace for deliver
ance from the curse now -blighting the
land and clothing it in the habiliment o.
woe. acknowledging the supremacy Of
him "whosel right it is to rule" and who
holds the "destiny of nations in his hand,'
twas hui natural for a christian people
reycring the custom of enlightened ma
tions in calametous times, and groanipg
under the chastizing rod of an outraged
Deity to- engage in fasting and prayer,
and implore the ruler of the. universe, sin
wrath to remember mercy" and stay the
hand of violence that has brought plourn-
ing and sorrow, weeping and wailing to
nearly every household throughout the
land. After more than three years of
civil strife, bringing unnumbered woes
upon the country, this was the prevailing
sentiment of the people. How sadly they
were. disappointed on this occasion, let
the sequel show
One Rev. HARTLEY constituted him.
self master of ceremonies, and sent his
brother ministers notice of the fact, and
invited them to come and hear him expa-
tiate on "the blessings and good results of
tie war" Strange theme indeed for a fast
day, sermon, and his hearers stood at tip
toe to learn the good things resulting
frvm a war which has laid waste the coun-
try and sent nearly a million victims, "un-
anointed, unanneaied 20 that undiscover-
ed borne from whence no traveller re-
turns" Time is perhaps unproftably
spent in noticing this Mountebank for his
outrage upon decency on this
occasion, but as he does not seem willing
to publish his carefully prepared perfor
nance, several of his political friends
refused to sign a request for him
to give the public the benefit of his medi-
and convictions, we take this
to hold him up to the scorn and
contempt which he so richly deserves
We can pardon the political z%ealot, who
IN the heat of passion and excitement
ovcrleaps the bounds of propriety and in
somewhat in unchaste language, but
what shall we think O. the reputed man
IF God, when he is said to invoke the
spirit of the divine master to direct his
thoughts, pens a batch of outrageous as
'aults, upon those differing with him in
opinion, and under the pretence
IF preaching a fast day sermon ,desecra es
he SANCTUARY of the living God to an ig-
noble purpose, and hurts his carefully
prepared invectives against men more hon
,st and upright han himself, with all the
,enom and demoniacal malignancy of a
leyil damned 2" This Reverend con-
Of egotism and c%onceit, .wear-
ng the livery of heaven to serve his master
devil in" seizes this sacred occa-
ion, where he knew his political oppo-
rents would assemble, to vent his spleen
md discharge the r%ottenncss of his filthy
,eart. Not content that he in common
With his agitators, has contributed largely
o the deplorable &C ndition of the coua-
ry, which is now bleeding at every pore,
lie still persists in his uuholy work, and
:ries from the pulpit, where the glad IT,
lirgs of peace should be proclaimed,
more blood, more blood" Unnatural
emblance of humanity strange and evil,
compound of ministerial decep-
and hypocrisy. y ere it not for the
act that a gracious Providence clothes
alien humanity oftim0s in a comely form
1e might justly conclude that this politi-
al Reverend was the hidious offsring of
ONE monstrosity, not unlike Miltcn's
which. sat at bell-gate "seeming wo-
nan to the waist aud fair, but ending foul
0 many a scaly fold, voluminous and vast"
rofessing to be the follower of the meek
nd lowly Jesus, to rejoice in his own ar
ogance and pride, and exhibit a more
han Jewish selishness.
The reputed advocate of the Prince of
'eace, he proclaims, strife throughout
ne land" and from the. sacred desk
Kisses on the dogs of war" Commits
oneo to teach ~forbearance and christian
irtue, he sits in pompous Judgment on
lie opinions and consciences of his fellow
49, ~
len, and vomits his invectives AMI abuse
pom all who dare question his inlallibil.-
=. Assuming to wear the spotless robes
T a messenger of God, and to walk in
Uniformity with lis teachings, che goes
out as a roaring lion seeking whom he i
ay deyour." Satan could desire no more [
ithful enissary to do his dirty work =.
IAN this same Rev. HARTLEY, and heI
ives himself no uEeasiness about the |
such men administer in, for they T
} his will as faithfully as his Satanic !
ajesty could desire. t
1t is not our object to review this fell
VS. spot house" slang whichiwas better d
lapted to a low resort In the celebrated b
ew York Five Points than a place of F
ibfic worship, but that community NAV a
low the blessings which Mr.. HARTLEY a
ems have been showered upon our ii
by the war, we statefhis ~pronosi- I,