The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-17
THE TEACHINGS OF THE PULPIT.

10 the Editor Of The EVerin0 TetegrGph;-
The respect in which the Ministers OF the Cos
pei are held is not whit less than ~ ougnl 10
De. They hold high commissions, their calling
10 not only honorable, but IS necessarily con-
Leclcd with the most important interests OF
their iellOw-meD.
other prominent leaders of public opinion.
They address their hearers with no fear OF an
swers being forced unexpectedly upon them;
claiming high prerogatives of making eDctusaoe
addresses on the suoiectmatter before them,
they make assertions, and lay down arguments
without tear OF contradiction at the time being.
When a minister is preaching the gospel, when
be is proclaimlng the messages OF peace and
salvation from God TO man. no one denies or
would attempt to controvert the assertions
made or the arguments hdduced. 1t is pecu-
larly the province OF Gods chosen servants to
instruct their lellow-men on these subjects, and
no interference is 10 be expected from others.
When, however, minister of the Gospel steps
aside from the objects OF his commission; when
he uses the advantages OF his position to argue
other matters. and TO make assertions on sub
iects foreign from his work, he is deserving OF
censuTe, and should be answered and rebuked
in manner as public Us that IN which his
assertions have been made. On yesterday
afternoon the Reverend John Chambers
preached what he would call a Gospel sermon.
He lays claim to superior excellence IN the par
iicular OF not preaching politics, and yet an
unbiased person hearing him on yesterday
would uuhestatinely admit that the claims OF
the Gospel held but little space in his remarks.
He claimed 10 take exception TO the bias
phemy OF certain political addresses recently
made. That he should do SO is to be expected
from his position; he would be recreant in his
duty az preacher of godlIness il he rebukcd
not profanity. With his texts and his in.n,e-
didte comments thereon, we find 10 fault, but
as he progressed bis spleen and anger waXed
warm, and men were abused and vil,hed for not
paying respect where no respect was due.
Mr.. Chambers has claimed that he has rjght
to his opinion, and tnat he has right 10 act in
accordance thereto. No one denies his right,
bnt Wby cannot he accord the same privilege to
Others? Ii men are of opeRiOn that the Presi-
dent OF the United States has thrown aside the
dignity OF his position, and condescended to
make mere partisan and political cam mpaigning
tour and in consequence Of their holding this
opinion they refuse TO extend TO this parsonage
hOnOrsl due the Office, but not the man who
deGTddfS il, what right has Nj. Chambers or any
other preacher to take holy time and sacred
place to abuse them for this opinion, and for
this action
His slur on the memory of the martyred Lin
coin, when he proclaimed that Mr.. Johnson
was not a sectional President, but the Preside at
Of the whole Union, was not in keeping with
his demands that men should not speak evil of
digpitares. Abuse of man who died dong
hls duty is ten times worse than not extend ling
hos pitalities TO man who lives but to degrade
his Office and neglect hls duty. We hold that
the Congress of the United States has q claim
10 be ranked as one of the "dIgDitaries OF the
land" 6nt Mr.. Chambers spoke only OF the DIS.
honor 10 the successor OF Washington, he not
choeing to refer TO the abuse and evil speaking
which this successor of WASHINGTON (?) has
thrown al the coordinate and superior branch
Ot the Government
We appeal TO Nr Chambers to leave politics,
and political harangues and preach the Gospel
according to the terms OF his commission. other
Wise there is daDoer not only 10 the republic but
20 himself and to the Church of God.
AEMrEE OF REV. JOHN CHAMBERS CHURCH.
PEILA DDLPHIA, September II, 1856