Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-04-05
THE METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
a Prominent Layman's reply to the Clergy
From tic Rochester Union |

-
address Of Hon. d. Il. Ogden, at Lima, ~. 1
From the Rochester Union
The following is the con cluding portion
OF the address delivered at Lima, by Hon
Darius A, Ogden. of Penn Yam:
Mr. Ogden said there vas one othe
subject upon which he desired to say
word, and he desired to say it here an,
now Here at Lima whsre The great in
stitntions of learning of the Methods
/ Episcopal Church of Western New York
are located-where intellectual power
sound theology, and correct religious faitl
are supposed to be eXpounded, here a
/ this centre Of learning, and in the mids
/ OF the dNines OF the church whose faith
profess and whose poliDy admire, de
size, 10 tue exercise OF u layman's right
TO speak few plain words, FOR it was here
and Uy an annual conference of the Meth.
odisb- Episcopal Church, duly o.gani2ed
and acting in official capacity, that one OF
the most outrageous acts oil bigotry, wrong
and injustice was perpetrated q few week
ago AN insult alike to religion, to the
Methodist church. and TO every mem
Der of thai church, who, in The honest ex-
erc.se Of his liberty, beloogs to the Demo
cratic party. desire in this matter to be
precise, and here quote the resolution
of the q G2nesee conference held recently
in Luna:
RsSglaci, That it is the decided and de-
libeTately formed opinion of this con FER
ence. that the profound and radical is
sues, which in the present election can.
yass are to be met aud decided by Ameri-
can citizens O. the ballot-box, divide the
people into two great parties, viz: Patri-
otsand Traitors.
To this follow two other resolutions IL
the highest degree audalory of the pre-
sent administration aud pledged to its
earnest support.
The meaning of the resolution is clear.
and the charge is deliberate, that all who
fail TO vote for Mr.. Lincoln and support
his administration policy. are traitors
In this resolution there i5 no allowance
for honest difference Of opinion, no chari-
ty such as the gospel inculcates no tolesa-
ton such as the SAVIOUR practicad and
taught, but il is a stern, and ! will adj
unchristian condemnation of millions Of
men, who are quite IS faithful to their
country, TO liberty, to the government.
and who have shown it BY word and deed,
and sacrifice ana devotion, as these de-
vines, these clerical umpres and judges
who, outside Of their calling, outside Of
all decency aud christian charity, set
themselves up as political judges and par
tisan politicians. Vhey speak Of issues
but name them not. Ali the spec.fica-
tions they make to sustain this grave
charge OF treason, in opposition 20 the adj
ministralion of Mr.. Lincoln, in other
words support Of Gen. Mcclellan is trea-
son. This is the substance of this infd-
NOUS charge so revolving 20 all the pro-
pyielies OF christia II intercourse and with
an intolerance belonging TO the dark ages,
is officially made 10y Clergymen Ola church
boastCul, and Justly so ia its pllmy aud
primitive days, its defence Of the liber-
~ of conscience and of the rights Of the
people 10 differ with established State
churches and political hierarchies res
pect the clergy, their calling is the mos.
sacred, most digniied aud important on
earth in their appropriate sphere, ] will
pay them all due respect, defend their
rights and listen 10 their teachings, bat
" en- they lay their sacerdotal robes a.
side, become brawling politicians, amba,
saIors of the Republican party and Abra-
ham Lincoln rather than the blessed Sl-
yiour, and preach partisan politics instead
of the Gospel, can but look upon the
picture they present with sadness and dis.
gust, fallen from the most elevated call
ne.
With snarling madness and low vi!uper-
alton ,hey trample Christian charity in
the dust and set the very bad example Of
iudulging evil tempers and altering whole
sale SANDERS And yet these men are our
pastors, sshepherds OF The Christian flock
God defend the flock and save the people
from the example and teachings Of this
arraut fanaticism. Then my wel k and
misguided aud political huclSsters, these
reverned gentlemen say we seek TO amman
them by denying TO them the right to in
dulge in partisan discussions. Not at all.
We did not ask them to become minis
ters. They claim to have been called Of
God. Their vows were sell-imposed.-
They were set apart to the holy work of
the Christian ministry by their own con-
cent. Itis a peculiar, holy and special
work. Honestly pursued 1t does not i'm
pose restraints. And if they have be-
come weary in well doing, tired OF their
work, and long for the politicians work,
and desire to become stump orators and
partisan political preachers, let them, like
honest men, doif their robes and enter
the list, and take rough and tumble Of
the strife. They have no right, like cow
ards, to skulk behind the pulpit, put on
sanclimonious airs, and then utter their
anathemas against all in the pew or church
who differ with them in political opinion.
Such is not gospel preaching either in spi.
rit or word. Such was not the import'of
their ordination VOWS. Such was not the
holy work to which they were solemnly
dedicated and set apart, and woe be to
them if they leave the Masters work for
this other work. Their opinions are their
own, their ballot WITHIN their own keep