The mountain Democrat., 1865-07-08

RSligl anA lss Ha-est'rs, ~
We aAd J. foliesing ID \ article b
the SOns1 DsuaOcr Az w apply n
none of Be city uiisss9 aIIOf who
preach Christ, ana Hin uciasd," A
not politics, We transfer II To- our columns
withoutIear Of local application. Itis
|ceFtsial astaa 'llks INA community
!whers ~ churches ara devoted to. the,
service Il God only. and where the Word
is preachsa ID al IL, divine psEisy for the
purpose Of leading sinnera IoFspsntanee.
We feAr, heNses that the ehurehes at
SOndFS nave 6 & s c88EItertsd to some 9th.
er use. and that their ministers Worship
more ct the shrisss Of mammon and poll
tics than st that Of our blessed Redeemer,
the Prince Of Peace. They, perhaps,
shank God that there is hell for trait.
0ra." and teach that Democrats should be
allow ed no "piaCes Of qaist and peaceful
refuge" within the pale OF religion; preach
10 the pockets instead Of the hearts Of
their congregation, and are mOfe anxious
about their salaries than the salvation of
souls. But we digress The Democrat
says:
"During our editorial experience We
have frequently had occasion to complain
bitterly and in strong language-,against
q certain class among the clergy. This
we have done through no dislike to min
listers Of the gospel, on account Of their
holy calling and certainly with no desire
to do aught in derogatiOn Of religion gems
orally, or the religious tenets Of any par.
ticular sect or denomination. The good
and true man who breaches from the
Word Of God, let bis. abilities be great or
small, we love and respect. The Christ
ian religion and undetiled-is .
most exemplary code of morals for the
government Of mankind. But we cannot
shut our eyes to the fact that bad men
get into the ministry, just as they do into
the noble profession Of the Law, the edito-
rial chair, and other vocations Of life
Designing demagogues assume the clcri-
cal robes in order the better to carry out
their vile and unhallowed schemes
Whenever We find such they shall meet
| no favor at our hands. Wedo not intend
they shall disgrace the pulpit and hum
bug the people with our consent Oflate
years large numbers of ambitious men
have entered the ministry in the United
States. actuated by the basest and most
unworthy motives. Many Of them pur-
sue the calling because Of downright, in.
herent laziness; they don't like hard
work and have not brains and industry
sufficient to make living in the legal or
medical profession. They make bust
ness Of preaching-as much so as the
blacksmith, the carpenter. or any other
mechanic or tradesman. The weh being
Of their flock-the salvation Of soulS-is
the least Of their concern. The only anx-
iety-the only aim and Objects. to
make it pay. The consequence Of this is
that such men as We have described are
always found taking advantage Of popular
excitements and pandering to the worst
passions Of the hour. Had they lived in
the days when Christ came upon the
earth they would have been among the
leaders Of the mob that cruci6ed him.
AS it is, they do what they can towards
bringing into contempt the cause in which
He labored. 1t is no very difficult matter
to spot" these worldly preachers. Long
faces and . sanctimoniouS whine avail not
TO hide their true character. Listen to
their blaSphemous rant in the pulp
hear them curse like very drabs all who
do not bow at their altar. Slavery and
slave holders-the ''damnable rebellion"
rebels and traitors copperheads and
Union men. These are the subjects on
which they dilate at tho present day
War and vengeance find no reader advo-
Gates. They forget that Jesus Christ
preached peace and good will to men
that tho Christian religion is founded up.
on love and mercy that
I" True religion
Il always mild, prOpitious, and humble,
fhys iof the tyrant plants not faith in blood
Nor bears destruction on her chariot Wheels
But stcops to polish, suecor, aud redress,
And builds her grandeur on the public good"
"These demagogues and fanatics have
driven men, women and children from
the churches which they had attended
regularly for years. Rather than bear
the malicious sneers, the cowardly tannts,
and downright abuse and insult OF these
SO called divines, it is preferable to remain
away from the house Of God. We know
this of our own personal knowledge. Is
it to be marveled at that we expose and
denounce such villainOus charlatans-
men whO drag the sacred robes through
tho efSraA af .N01sesn1 - al. ~. ~