The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-04-05

and public worship form too large and potent
an element in the life OF people TO be left
TO take care of themselves by auy prudent
ruler, and the humble and retiring attorney Of
Illinois soon learned 10 contemplate, without
dismay, aud to grasp with firm hand these
grander responsibilities and duties, which con
linually rose before him as bis high destiny
unrolled aud evolved itself. Already the
Washington Department hes ito ecclesiastical
side, and armies are attended by religious CON-
missioaers, who are detailed to take possession
of the churches of each sect, aud supply the
pastorates /; obnoxious ministers arc simply
turned out, aud orthodox camp followers set
up in their places. Secretary Stanton, we are
complaceutly informed by a N. Y. paper, has
given his "high authorization" 10 commis-
sion for taking care of all Bapts: Churches,
wherever the Yankee lines ex end.
One Anes, of Indiana, a Methodist Bish
op, is assigned TO similar, only Methodist du.
ty at New Orleans DR.. Heac0ck and another
Episcopal clergyman Of New Orleans wore
long 81 ce imprisoned in Northern dungeons
for not praying right; and the Rev. Mr..
wingfeld, Of Portsmouth,, rot having come
up to the religious standard of the booted and
bIear eyed apostle, who tends that corner Of
the vineyard, is now cleaning the streets Of
the town with ball and chain clanking At
his foot, while moro faithful pastcr feeds
his sheep with loyal pasture, ard loads them
beside the etill waters of Federal faith. This
! is cad, but it was necessity Of the case
Leave clergymen unmuzz,ed over the Bible,
aud they car not only read aloud Southern
dociriGs from those pages every Sunday, but
they can even ncucate it in their prayers,
aud insnuate it in ps,lmody. Learned elor-
gymeu, with their ball and chain, sweeping
the streets that lea to their churches, are
witnesses that our Yankee father of the faith
full does not shrink from his doing bis duty.
Undoubtedly the Rev. NJ. Wingfeh must
have been insnuating treason iu some part Of
the service. The Provost MarshsPs people
were, of course, the best judges Of the ten
dency of his exercises; and if they Judge it
dangerous 10 law aud order, what were they
to do but muzzle that pastor, and chain him
up, and set him to sweeping the streetsl
The Hooser Emperor has further step to
take still; and he cannot 60 back. Having
once undertaken to "supply pastoraIe" 10
churche', he must next provide that tho flock
shall attend the ministrations Of his shepherd.
Then for the better ordering of public wor-
ship, the War Department must issue an au
thorized liturgy, or forms Of prayer for each
sect, and print them in General Orders. Some
triing changes may be acquired in the ord-
nary petitions. so as 10 make them read (for
example), Our Kingdom come. Our will bs
done. Give US each day oar ueighbors daily
bread-or the like. Bat these are details
which tho sagacity Of Mr.. Stanton will essiy
arrange to the satisfaction Of his august mas
ter, till a convention of loyal divnes Gao pro-
pare an orthodox edition OF the Bible.
when Paups epistlo 10 Philemon, the ninth
commandment, and other apo;hryphal por-
tiols can be ''voted down" An anti slave.
ry Bible and an anli-slavery COLI are in fact
poiuts of the otgi al bill which Lincoln was
choseh to "Iut ,hrongh," !"