The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-06

expedite the former.
Rseonstruction in the Churches-Ths
Episcopal Convention.
The least important Of al the points brought
IN by reconstruction Il the reconstruction Of
the churches, in relation to which, however,
there is now some fuss. Years before the
war the abolitionists Of the North destroyed
the harmony of all the Protestant churches by
introducing resolutions in reference to slavery.
The Southern churches, viewing slavery as .
TACT and not IN opinion-and as fhct regu-
lated by law-could not follow their Northern
coreligionists- not adopt their resolu-
tons; and so there was separation, and the
sections looked each upon the other as at SUBJ
jects for missionary labor. Only the, Catholic
churches kept out Of the muddle, and kept in
mind the distinctions between the sphere Of
religion and political life. They alone obeyed
the moral law Of the founder of the churches,
and left to Cesar the things that were C@sar's,
and went on quietly trying to save souls in
simple way, and not trying to shape national
policy. But the Protestant churchmen, like
Beecher and the rest, wanting to be God and
Caesar too, simply drove out the Southern
churches because these churches would not
join with them in fanatical religious persecu- .
ton and refuse the offices Of the Church to men
who differed in opinion with the Northern par
sons
But now there is spirit Of reconstruction
in the air, and slavery, the great bone of con-
tention, is gone; so the question arises whether
all the churches cannot arrange their differences,
and all labor together to keep the souls of the
Southern people out of hell. But the Southern
churches are contumacious and stubborn, and
there are awkward facts in the way. Some of
the Southern parsons won't pray for Andrew
Johnson and jealous generals have shut up
churches on account Of it. That may have been
wise enough and may not. It depends upon
the value Of the prayers. Perhaps the same
divines have been praying for JEFF. Davis for
four years past, and if the influence Of their
prayers in his case is measure OF their value
it is not desirable that the army should secure
them for johnson. If, therefore, any Southern
parsons want to keep on praying for Davis, he
certainly has most need of that sort Of assist
ance, and we would let them do it. Kthey can
pray him out of Fortress Monroe, all the better
for poor old JEFF. As for Johnson, he can
perhaps get on without the prayers Of the
Southern parsons. especially as there are
great many men who can pray very hard in the
Northern States, and who will be stimulated
to 60 their strongest IL the opposition runs
high. The result plainly shows that we have
prayed the South quite out of time through the
war, and as johnson has done without the
Southern church prayers for 80 long may be he
can just continue to keep on his legs without
them little longer. It would be well enough
to try.
We do not estimate very highly the import
ance of the reconstruction Of the churches, and
we are sure that making them into vast polit-
ical machine will destroy their only value, and
will result in their eventual overthrow, and
perhaps in the overthrow Of religion through
out the country. The proceedings of the Epis-
copal Convention are not worth the paper the
various reports are written on. They'ma
q rigmarole of the most sleepy, hum-drum,
drony palaver ever put before living, think
ing readers. They are the words and thoughts
of set of old women in breaches, "most igno-
rant Of what they're most assured" who care
more to hear their own sweet voices and to
dawdle over doctrinal nonsense than they do
for the moral welfare of any community under
the sun. The Roman Catholic Church is the
only earnest working one Of all the churches
the only establishment whose ministers go to
the people in the real spirit OF Christianity,
and who confine their efforts within proper
sphere. They have no reconstruction to
arrange fact to their honor; and If they
prayed hard for JEFF. Davis for four years they
will pray just as hard for Andy Johnson now,
or for any one else that needs it.
THE CANARD ABOUT GENERAL GRANT AND
MExrco.-The despatch from Philadelphia
published by the press generally yesterday,
which processes to give the expressions and
views Of General Grant with regard to Mexico
and the Monroe doctrine, bears on IL face the
marks Of canard. And its source Is enough
to arouse suspicion, without examining Its
spurious features The rectangular city has
become famous for such crooked despatc