The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-05-24
BLOOMSBURY. COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. WEDNES
a Rsbuke Of Political Preaching.

we learn from tas New York Observer
tha, few weeks since the Rev. F. c. Ever,
pastor of an Episcopal Church in New
York, was desired by some Of bis people 10
preach on the political questions of the day.
''Instead Of complying with ihs requesi,says
the Observer, che gave ihem a sermon that
onghl TO have m sde every intelligent Chris
tian among them heartily ashamed of hsv-
ing been so ignorant of the province of the
pulpit and the dn,y OF the pastor as TO pre-
sumo 10 desire him 10 come down from The
high calling Of Gods minister, 10 tell them
whether TO vote for Lincoln, Fremont or NJ
Clelan The attempt was unworthy of
Christian citizens. aud it was very earnestly
aud ably rebuked" F"
The sermon has been published, and we
make an extract therefrom, for the benefit
of all to "whOm il may concern" in these
psrts:
"Ah, beloved, passion is now sweeping
,he world away. And when his foek seem
10 have lost their self possession, there is no
time when it is more necessary for the spir
i,uaI guid 10 guard his presence of mind and
hold firmly and steadily 10 the helm. All
else is driving before the storm, wet, and
rolling. and helpless with the roll Of the bill
lows | might indeed stand hear as you
have desired, and as a mere man tell you
the passionate yearnings of my heart at this
hour, how tremble as consider what may
be the consequences of mems acts who diff
fer with me-but then dear brethren, this
Church would lie rolling heavily teo in the
trough of The general sea. Consider the con-
sequences of compliance on my part with
such request. Consider II as a precedent
establishing the principle OF political preach
ing in this pulpit Theugh may agres with
you 10 day how know sou that the next po-
ilicaI crises, |, or the pastor you Iusy have,
may not agree with your advsrsaries? Seek
to establish III dangerous rule. o, seek not
to surrender 10 your priest the two edged
sword which Is of righl yeur own heritage.
warn you, preserve as priceless jewell
your political Independence of lhe Church.
The sacredness of that Independence is
founded upon the eternal principle that
adultery, thai the yoking together Of incom-
paiible eIenents, is d primal source of all
sin and confusion.
81 warn you. Go not shout 10 drug the
Church with political wire lha, shall intox-
icate her aud unfit her fer her clam and del
icaie work. As citizens we are all equal
you and and when on that platform OF
cilizenship,any one Of us-you or l-moun,
the rosIGm, the equality between speaker
aud audience Is no, broken, for anY one can
answer. But here the case is difereRt-
When mount the pnlpil the equality is
gone, our relative position here Is in harmo-
ny with the fact ! speak as priest, you
merely sit to lieten, aud can make no au-
swer. hold you all at disadvantage
and rightly so, for my normal position is as
priest to declare 10 you the eternal word Of
God, 10 which there can be no answer. III
use this vantage stand for onsht other pur-
poses. ] am recreant TO you and 10 your
rights. There is blsspbemous imper,i.
nencs in priest either debating in prayer
&c God the will Of His people, or on the ether
hand in HE ignoraee, substituting his own
cruds political nolions for the great hidden
perfect will of God, and then debating them
as though from God 70 His people. It. is a
crime upon lhe sacred political freedom oi
ihe people, and daring insult 70 God him
self"