The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-09-01
A Rebuke to the Political Clergy,

| whole country have been constantly shocked Dy
| the shameless Inconsistency of many profess
| ing ministers of the gospel.-The turning Of
pulpits into political rostrums, and the horfld
howl for blood that went up from the aliars OF
| Protestant churches from Sabbath to Sabbath,
has led mullinldes to doubt the piety OF pas
tors, while in very many instances even the
doctrine of the Holy Bible and of the Chris
tian religion have been brought into disrepute.
[. is well known that the Protestant churches
of the land have been shorn of their strength
and rendered almost poweGless for good. Vice
and immortality have swept like a destroying
food over the lard, and mulGtudes who were
held in restraint by the influence Of the church
es, have given full sway to passion and been
swept away to perdition.
The secular press Of the country, portion
Of It at least, have rebuked the conduct OF
fa;thless pastors, and pointed out the evil ten
dency of their course For the most part the
religious press has been criminally silent, or
has encouraged continuance Of the evil. We
are clad 20 be able to call the attention Of tic
Protestant clergy Of this city to an extract
from an address delivered 1t ShePhor!st0wH,
West Virginia, c. June is, the day OF natton-
al mourning, by Rev. Lewis P ". Ba'ch.-
The pastors Of the Episropai churches OF this
CITY viii not need to he tod who he Is. They
will recognize him 1t once as one u the most
pToIninecc and eloquent members OF their or
eanization. The sermon we fnl Published N
foil in the Baltimore american. Ine discourse
is very decidedly loyal in tone throughout, and
this should be sufficient 10 relieve the extract
we make from any odium that might Otherwise
attach to it. II is full Of wisdom, ard we beg
the clergy of this city to read it carefully, to
noader over its teachings, and to apply its unc-
ton to their corscieuces. By so doing they
NAV in time make amends for any evils they
may have wrought, either willingly or through
inadyertencv. Hero Is what Rev. Dr.. BAlch
saws TO them Let them hear it and heed II.
| begin with the Clergy
need not tell my reverend brethren OF ev'
cry name that scripture truth always involves
a scripture duty. If the clergy obey not Coils
law. low can the people be expected to main
tain human law? AHd if a man observe not
the highest of laws unchangcable and perfect,
how can we keep those of human origin, nelth-
er perfect no; lnchangeahe?
| Part of the ordinatjon row IS this ''Ihe
/ Lord being my helper as much as lieth in me,
| will ma nta!n ana set forward quietness, peace
and love among all Christian people,
And the original commission OF the Prince
Of Peace reads thus: ''As the Father hath sent
me, even so send | you"
But did the Father send the Son 10 preach
political sermons-to stir up strife--to sane
tify war-and to baptize men in to the spirit
of Cain2
The Prophet says: GLOW beautiful on the
mountains are the feet Of them who publish
?eace' Could he have said this if those her
aids bore in their hands the bloody torch Of
war?
Our Redeemer came 10 bind up the broken
hearted, to give liberty 10 the captive, 10 COM
! fort those who mourn, not 20 break the bruised
reed or quu7ch the smoking fax. Can Ills min
listers then be foremost to urge men to battle,
the source of many Of the most frightful calami-
ties which can affljct our race?
Whom, in the history of nations, this fatal
and dread necessity arises, there are men whose
duty it is TO engage in and promote war. But
! these men are not the clergy
/ have seen prosecuting attorney weep in
court when painful duty compelled him to press
conviction ON the panel unto death. Those
tears touched all hearts and proved that he had
the noble attributes ola man. But how should
we feel to see minister of religion, with eager
zeal, volunteer 10 prosecute the fcion and shrek
for Justice on a lost brother
1t is, indeed, cause for sadness on this mourn
full day, to think that much of this terrible war,
may be fairly charged to the mistaken views of
the very men sent to preach only peace, good
will and forgiveness among men.
The office OF the clergy is at all times one of
love God has given TO rulers, and those in
civil or military authority, the stern duty Of
being a terror to all evil doers. To them it
rightfully belongs; not to the clergy. What
a strange perversity of function it would be,
TO see the public executioner administer the sac
rament Of the Lords Supper And yet, far more
shocking to any sense Of propriety, to say moth
| ing of the higher sanctions of Chrlst's COM
mand and The ministerial oath, is the sad spec
| tacle Of Chris:'s ambassador bounding on men
to kill and be killed
What an amazing fact do we behold. Our
late Pre-i1ent, clothed with great power, and
sworn to administer the Law and its penalties,
| leaning to mercy, drawing the hearts Of all men
to him by his goodness, and the clergy, the
sworn servants OF mercy, c,amorous for strife
and vengeance.
How can We explain the fact! Our brave
and nooie Generals and naval heroes who have
challenged the admiration Of the world, 30 mild,
patient and gallant in battle, 50 humane in the
hour of victory always anxious to spare blood
shedding, and the clergy, by peaceful profession,
bound to teach men to forgive their enemies
and to return good for evil, crying for more
blood
Alas No wonder the churches Isnguish,
missions die, and sin prevails. If the clergy
break Gods law Of love, if they set the exam
pie of disobedience to Christs command cover
come evil with good" what can you expect OF
the people Yes, my reverend brethren great
need have we on this mourntul day to inquire
whether much of it may not fairly be charged