The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-01-06
The Attempt to Abolitionize the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
APronansntL Layman's sreply tothe Clergy.
ADpBEss OF Hon. d. A. OGpEu AT LlnA
e '@ From tie Roclestcr Union.


the address delivered at Lima by Hon Dafious
/ A. Ogaen, of Penn Yam: ~
Mr.. Ogden said there was one other subject
/ upon which he desired to say a word, and he
/ desired TO say it here and now. Here at lima.
| wherefhe sreat institutions Of leafning Of the
! Aleihedist Episcopal Church of Western New
York are located-where intellectual power,
sound theology, and correct religious faith
sre Supposed to be expouoded, here at this GEN.
/ ire of learnine anl in the midst If the divines
| Of the s-church whose faith profess and whose
/ poii:y -adl"re. desire, in the exercise o!
2 layul:Er,'s riglt, to speak ii few plain words.
for ~ was here and by an annual conference of
the nj +. chnrctA duly organized and acting in
official capacity, thar one Of the most outrage
ous acts OF bigotry, wrong ald injustice was
! perpsiFatsd, a few weeks ae0-an insult alike
10 rehgioH 10 tne Methodist church, and 70
, ,svsry uember Of that church, vSho in the hon
est ., orcise of lis liberty, belongs 10 the Dem
oeralic VA, -. desire iii this matter to be pi g.
else, and l Her. qfote the ros04dtion of the
! Genesee conference h1id recently in Lima:
| RsS5tbH, That it IS the dtci3ed and delber-
ately formed opinion of his conference, that
the profound and radical issues, whici! is The
present election canvass are to he net ana de-
cided by american ciiizeus at tie ballot box,
divide the people into two great parties, VIZ:
Patriots and Traitors.
To this follow two other resolutions ia the
highest degree lautlat0ry of the present ed
uinistration aud pledged to its earnest sup
port
The meaniag Of the resolutions is clear, and
the Charge is deliberate, that all wi.o faz 10
yo'a for 1ir. Lincoln, o. support bis admins
tration policy, are rraito.s, Ia this resolution
thrre is no allowance for honest differences Of
ofiniog., no charity sach as the GOSPEL ihccl-
Gates, 10 liberation such rs the Saviour pr;,cti-
ced and taught, butt Is a stern, and Will add,
unchristian condemnation of millions cf men,
who are quite as faithful to their country, to
liberty, TO the government, and vino have shown
it by word and decd ar9 sacrifice an,i devotion,
aa these divincs tlss,l r.a,o +, irrlsr-,
who, outside Ot tE1Ir calling. outside ot all de-
cency aud christian charity, set themselves up
as political jed4es, and partisan poiiiGlaus.--
they speak OF issues but name them not. Ali
tie specifications they make 10 sustain this
grave charge Of treason, is opposition to the
admins ,raiion Of Mr.. Liacoln--in other words
support If Sen. Mcclellan is treason. This is
the substance Of this Infamous charge sotreyo.t-
ing TO all prFprietios cf Christian intercourse
and with an intolerance belonging to the dark
ages, il officially Jpale ny clcrqymen of church
boaetiu, s,Trd Justly so in its palny and prigi-
tive days of. It's dEtence CT tho liberty of con
science and Of ihe rights Of the peopleto dif5r
with established State churches aud political
hicrarchics. respect the clergy, their calling
is the most sacred, most digniied and mpor-
tant on earth; in their appropriate sphare, l
viii pay them all due respect, defend their rights
and listen TO their teachings, but when they
lay tAeir saeradotal robes aside, become Draw
ling politicians, ambassadors Of the Republican
lp"ri3 and Abraham Lincen rather. than the
blessed sayiour, and preach partisan politics in
stead Of the Gospel, / can but look ppon the
! pictures they present with sadness and disgust,
fallen from the nost elevated calling.
u ith snariing madness and low yiiuperation
they tFampIe Christian charity ii, tie dust and
set the very bad example 0i iaGulgiHg evil ten9-
pers and uttering wholesale SANDERS. And yet
these men are our pastors, shepherds of the
| Christian flock. God defend sAe flock and save
| the people from tLe example and tcscliags OF
/ this arlaut ianaticisp. Then my weak and
| misguided political hUcksters, these reverend
gentlemen say ne seek TO unnlan them by de-
! nying 10 them the right TO indulge in partisan
discussions. Not ri al. We did not ask them
! 10 become minisiers. They claim 10 have been
] called Of God. Their VOWS were self-imposed
! hey HteTe set apart % tha holy work of the
ChIiStian ministry by their own consent. 1t is
/ a peculiar, special aud holy work. Honestly
( pursued il does iHp0se restraints. And if they
! have become weary IN well doing, tired of th1ir
work, and long lor The politicians work, end
ldesre 10 become stgrp cartors and partisan
1 pohNeat preachers, let them, Ike honeSt mep,
idoH their rcbes and enter tho list, and taks the
4 rough aud Tumble of The strife They have no
right, ike towards, to skpik behind the pulpit,
puton sanctimGItious airs, and thea utter their
anatbemas against AL in the pew or church who
atier.with them IN political opinion. Such is
not gospel preaching either in spirit or word
/ Sncli was not the import of their ordination
VOWS Such was not the holy work to which
they were seieganiy dedicated and set apart, and
! woe be 10 them If they leave the Masters work
fopthis other work.--I Their. opinions are their
own, their ballot within their own keeping and
Tar he it from me 10 condemn the free exercise
I Of either, Ills netIofthis that Icomplan, but
OF their iRsuflerable intolerance, their dictator
ial bearing, their abnegatien of allrharity, their
Wholesale SANDER " hy, they charge treason,
one OF the highest crimes, upon all men and
women ih4he church Or out, who belongs to
1.-the Democratic party, land who in this election
1bsnpport Geo. b. Mcclellan. i .l,jiisg4ael 81
That is the moBstrous anti Christina spirit
q manifested by the conference of diyites, and il
deserves condemnation and must receive the efre
probation of fair minded honest Republicans
as well as Democrats Such spirit and such
language is net religion, but bigotryI It's no