The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-17
PHENOMENA OF FANAT1CIsM.


any where in the North which in its howl for
blood and the intensity of its varied exeera-
tions, shows disposition so vindietive, so ut
terly at variance with all the ordinary opinions
of men about the spirit that ought to actuate
those who profess the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Yet this writer, above all whose lucubratlons
we are accustomed to read, is concerned about
the public conscience. Indeed he seems to
know more about conscience than any body
else It is his Speciality His methods OF
keeping the public conscience " clear and UNI
perverted, by the deeapitatiOn of a great varle-
ty of sinners, and the efusion of an indefinite
amount of blood, and by processes Of stamp
lug, and burning, and burying, as they are from
time to time developed in his extraordinary
sheet, are subject for the study of the most
profound metaphysieians. "A sound public
conscience, " he declares, 'isthe only guarantee
for the stability of our institutions and our nat
uralG life. 3" 'Themoralapathyan and cOrruptble-
ness of the people upon very plain and SUI
premey important principles of right, means,
in plain English, that condition Of mind in
which they are not ready yet to call down fire
from heaven, or otherwise destroy Christian
men and women at the South for an honest
difference of political opinion. But he warns
certain politicians, who have presumed upon
this amiable state of feeling, that they have
reckoned without their host and will receive an
Overwhelming rebuke. If we had not
heard so much during the war about anacon-
das, and belts of fire, and coming destruction
short, sharp, aud decisive, foreshadowed by
all the imagery of thunders, and tempests, vol
canoes, and earthquakes, emanating from men
who wrote at a remarkably safe distance from
/ the scene Of conflict, we should be alarmed at
what we read now in this strain in the paper
under consideration. But habit has a wonder
/ ful effect in securing us from trepidation, and
it is possible we find to read these terrible
strains without the loss of equanimity- we
must confess that we peruse them with very
great perplexity of mind as to what sort of con-
science this eccentric philosopher is talking
about
The next remarkable writer who essays to
eulighten the public upon all the arts of war
and peace and all the things that belong to
judgment and mercy is one t. L. c., who writes
for New York Journal-a paper by the way
which in its general tone seems to be consider
ably behind this progressive correspondent.
T. l.. G. Is minister and a pastor We
read with sincere qualification, last Winter and
Spring, some very interesting accounts of his
labors and success in his large and Aourishing
Church. We supposed that he had enough to
employ himself pro6tably there-enough to en-
list his mind, his heart, and his hands in the
most delightful engagements that can employ a
Christian. But he seems ubiquitousin his move
ments and Cyclopedia in his knowledge. He
travels much and writes from all points of the
compass. His letters from Montreal and from
Gettysburg, would seem to mark him as one
deeply versed in all military affairs, and better
acquainted with some things that transpired at
the latter place than any one else, while his
letter from Richmond shows that he has no
equal in his study of the black race in Eastern
Virginia.
Hisisseepiales .pos,..'.a
lays aside his gown ana IN the most open and
earnest manner, with the gusto Of an old par
tizan, he comes out as tho opponent of Mr..
Hoffman, the Democratic candidate for the of
fee of Governor of New York, and declares
his intention to preach politics to this extent in
the pulpit as well as in the press. In the same
letter he finds fault with his Christian Brother
Beecher-his fellow-townsman, whom he loves
"most teuderly, the head and front of Mr..
Beecher's offending being this: his theology
is sadly lacking in the purttire element through
out Helays but small stress onTetribution either
in this world or the next" From which We
infer that T. L. c. is rising to fever heat to-
wards Southern rebels, and will soon be very
fit person to add his contribution Of bloody lit
erature to the columns of the Philadelphia edi-
tor. 1t is hard to conceive of the earnest and
affectiOnate pastor of last Winter leading two
hundred anxious inquirers to the Prince Of
Peace, bowling with them in fearful tremulous
prayer, and then speaking on that memorable
Communion occaSiOni in such rapturous strains,
as the same man who becomes clerical pOliti-
clan, and who turns upon the people of this lati-
tude with such a savage and vindictiye scowl,
and who finds fault with the erratic Beech
er, not so much for his failure to denounce eter-
nal wrath upon sinners, as for his kind feelings
towards some who worship the same Saviour.
But we are giving phenomena not explana-
tions.
We add one more instance. 1t is drawn
from the proceedings of the American Board,
which lately met at Pittsfeld, Mass DIR.
Todd, the venerable pastor at that place,
speaking of the pleasure which the meeting
had afforded him and his people said, He
felt also that they had been lifted up, they had
been nearer heaven than ever before" 1t is
spoken of as "a grand and glorious meeting.
Onthe day Of Dr. Anderson S resignation there
was deep emotion and many warm and glow
ing speeches, filed with delightful Christian
feelings and sentiments The children of the
missionaries, to so many of whom DIR. A. had
been rs a father, came forward to express their
love and gratitude They were represented by
Rev. Mr.. Hall, son of the celebrated Gordon
Hail. one of the first missionaries of the Board,
and By son ofthelate Dr. Eli Smith of Syria
Their speeches were brief and appropriate
and they brought a present-an album, con-
tanning the faces of all of these children that
could be misunderstanding this inscription,
''To Rev. Rufus Anderson from has Missionary
children" DIR. Anderson was deeply affected
and replied with much feeling. In subse-
Quent part of the meeting twenty thousand
dollars, the gift of merchants of New York
and Boston, was presented to him with earnest
speeches showing great regard for him and for