The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-06-14
A Hired Clergy.

Mr. Editor 81 am cons;rain ed 10 believe
that ihe mass of our clergy are preaching
more in behalf of " Governmentn than OF
| Christ and more for Green backs than from
sense of duty. The proof is that, during
the excitement of the past four years, in
stead of throw ing oil upon the waters, they
have assiduously endeavored TO excite the
{ basest passions of our people. And now,
] since in spite of their efforts, peace virtu-
ally reigns, they endeavor TO prevent pacifi-
cation by bounding on "Negro Suffrage"
These men pretend to be followers OF :he
"lowly and crucifed Nazarene.i Did he
ever interfere with the political machinery
OF the times in which he was placed No;
though the Jews were groaning under the
tyranny of the Romans, he declared "my
kingdom is not of this wotd'; "render un-
10 Cesar The things that are Cesar's." Nor
did he preach vengeance. He was the EN-
bodimenl of mercy, and even for his mnr-
derers he breathed prayer of forgiveness
! Ii is unnecessary 10 point out further Illus
! tralions. But mark the contrast The
clergy of the day forgetting their divine
mission preach vengeance and blood. The
moment The people would close their eyes
on carnage they mount their pulpits and
! appeal 10 their passions, and ask them in
| name of Justice 10 commit the grossesI
crimes. Can they save souls by these
means? Ii not, they are wolves in sleeps
| clothing, and iCsiead of bread give their
congregations stones. They tell US they are
called TO The ministry, yet scatter the hocks
confded 10 their care; and by neglect OF
their duties have, permiled debanchery
ahei SIN, and indifference to come among
The people. Ia times of political excitement
they even descend 10 the arena of Dltics,
and hurl anaihemas and vile bilingsgate
! upon all opponents. Nay; not content with
| this they head mobs, and justify Illegally
| II Satan ever was sure Of disciples il is
these men.
! Their last hobby is "Negro Sufflage; and
the argument is that men who have fought
! in our armies should have the right of vol-
ing. What cant The Irishman, the Ger
( man, foreigners of all nations have fought
for Us, yet the same persons propose 10
excloje them why? because they are
Dem ocratic. The ignorant negro is 20 be
made an engine in the hands of designing
men, lis to be made The white mans peer,
and though just emancipated from sIa-
very is to be made The power 10 rival free
and intelligent white men. For instance
he is said 10 be the only loyaIisi in the
South, and hence be is TO rule his former
maslers-make laws for their guidance
fill the Offices of trust and profit, and by
these means place premium on ignorance
and seusuallily..
In proof that the clergy are foremost in
This work, l will give YOU The following
extract from the NelD York Tribune -
THE AMERICAN CHURCHES AND NEGRO SUFFRAGE
The question whether it is right to ex-
clude American citizens from the right Of
suffrage on The sole ground of their color,
is one OF too much national importance for
It's discussion 10 be avoided.
To those who believe that all men are
created equal, and ought, therefore, 10 be
equal before the law, il must be very graf
lying 10 observe that the influence OF most
OF the religious denominations of the U. S.
Will be exercised on the right side.
The subject was referred 10 at the Nav
anniversary OF The American and Foreign
Christian Union, a society which, before
the outbreak of the rebellion, carefully re :
Trained from all politics. The Rev. M
Scudder took decided ground in favor OF
negro suffrage, and the audience showed
by their applause that they agreed with
him.
AT the recent anniversary of the Baptist
Home Mission Society, which represents
one OF the largest denominations of the u.
s., resolution was unanimously adopted
with respect 10 tie freedom, which declares
ii 10 be both the undenIable right OF The
cl ass referred TO, and The Indispensable
condition OF an assured peace, and oil the
highest prosperity 10 the country, that hey
be invested with The elective franchise and
with all the privileges of whatever kind
that belong 10 American citizenship.
The Methodist Episcopal church has this
year. no General Confere nee, but The Lam
guage CT The church papers, which, so far
as we know, are unanimous with respect
TO this question, leaves no doubt thai the
whole Influence of this Church will be
cast in favor of equal rights for The negroes
The New Schoo! Presbyrerians have suf-
ficientty indicated, by the cordial welcome
which they have extended TO The first col
ored delegates to General Assembly oil
their Church, what position they intend 10
assume with regard to The question.
Five years ago the Old School Presbyte-
rians as a denomination, would probably
not have shown much sympathy with the
advocacy OF negro suffrage; but times have
changed, and the New York O5serusr,
which has so long been regarded as d lead
er among the conservative religious press,
has this week an article favorable TO the
reform.
The old anti slavery churches which
have always excluded shareholders from
their communion, as the Free will Baptists
and the Church of God (Winetreunarians)
the Free Melhodisls, Independent Me no.
dists, Evangelical Association, and ne
Northern Wing of the Protestant Metho>
dlsts, the United Presbyterans, the Re
formed Presbylerians, the United Brethren
in Christ, and many other similar churches
are OF course "a unit on This question, and
are cnitedly laboring for the establishment
OF universal suffrage.
The northern churches and societies are
nobly emulating each other in the educa.
ton OF the freedmen. The negroes, stimuli
taneousIy instructed in the frst elements
of Christianity and of civilization, ask for