The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-02-26

In all civilized countries, and even in barbaroa
countries there has been uniform practice O
excmptlng clergymen from some duties whic
might lead to an intecmingling of the two cha,
acters, the clergyman and the citizen, SO as t
debase the influence of the former to the leyt
OF the latter. The clergy for example, hav
been EXEMPT from military duty, and in som
countries have been debarred from holding ciyi
office. The latter provision has not met wit
genera. approval. The former has always bee
regarded as necessary to the purity of religion
In all nations, until the radicaiism of our owr
country abolished the exemption and broke dowr
this important wall between religion and poll
tics This was doubtless the result of the alb
oiition efforts which for years declared that The
Accomplishment of its designs could only be
achieved "over the ruins Of the American Church
and the American Union" the attack of the in.
tidel forces was directed as against the church
as against the Union, and it is to be feared that
they have succeeded in doing almost as great in
jury to one as to the other.
The war meeting at Cooper Institute, was
IN The main, agreat success The arrangements
were made without distinction Of political par
tlesS and both Democrats and Republicans JON.
ed IN it heartily, sinking minor differences
"cll-known Democratic and Republican speak
ers addressed the meeting in patriotic speech
es saying nothing to offend or rouse the feelings
OF men OF opposite views to the measures of
the war. Rev. Mr. Trumbuil, an army chap
lain whose service and suiierings entitled him
to speai. for the information Of the meeting,
made an impressive address 3 ut the proceed
lngs were marre5 by an iiltimed address from
clergyman whose illusions to the sacred scrip
lures were little else than blasphemous, certain
ly foolish and calculated TO do no good. He
seemed to desire to create the impression that
the people of the South are unit to be members
OF our body polite, whilst we arc pouring ou;
our blood and treasure to compel them to be
such. With boys foolishnness he thought to
to make good point by telling his hearers
that Judcs was the only apostle borne in South
ern Palestine, forgetting that the Lord himself
" was born IN IN that Soa.h hs sa Plfs sf.
tfations of existing things with US which some
Of them occasionally seek in Holy Writ, are
not calculated to do good, but rather to do evil
The treason of Judas is vastly too solemn
story to be cited even in war meeting for the
of rousing hatred and indignation a
gailst class of people, and the aid which such
citations afford to the u,en who would bring re-
ligion into disrespcct is great. Ii is not neces-
sary, nor is it desirable for the public good, that
men should be called on to address war meet
ings, who drew their illustrations from those
high and holy subjects which belong solely to
the relations Of man to his God Let the church
be preserved from tho dangerous attempt to
make it part of human political machinery.
however valuable its influence may seem TO be
for human ends. Ii must be preservation high
or good, even than the saving Of a great coun-
try.--Jom,nal Of Commerce.